John is a child from Kenya. He underwent a colostomy, in which the end of the colon is brought through an opening in the abdominal wall. This surgery is often performed to bypass bowel malformations, but colostomies are usually temporary and may call for closure. In John's case, his colostomy requires closure in order to restore bowel function and prevent future complications. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $619 to cover the cost of a colostomy closure for John. The surgery is scheduled to take place on March 1 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently.

Timotheo is a child from Tanzania. He is the first born child in a family of three children, and he is almost seven years old. He is expecting to start his primary school education next year. Timotheo’s parents are subsistence farmers. Timotheo has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Timotheo traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on August 7. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Timotheo's clubfoot repair. After treatment, Timotheo will be able to walk easily. Timotheo’s father says, “I wish I knew sooner that there is hope for my son’s treatment. I just hope that he will be okay and able to walk normal.”

Paulo is a child from Tanzania. He is the youngest in a family of three children. Paulo’s parents are subsistence farmers who grow vegetables for food and selling. Paulo’s two siblings are both in school, and Paulo’s parents hope to enroll Paulo in school soon. Paulo was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus. His legs bow outwards. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, walking is painful and difficult for him. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Paulo. The procedure is scheduled to take place on April 13. Treatment will hopefully restore Paulo's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Paulo’s farther says, “I will be very happy to see my son walk without discomfort or difficulty. God bless you all for wanting to help my son. Thank you so much.”

Cho is a 20-year-old young woman from Burma. She lives with her parents and younger brother. Her parents sell flowers in front of a Buddhist temple for a living, and her brother works in a tea shop. Cho likes to read stories and study English in her free time. Cho was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. Currently, Cho suffers from chest pain, difficulty breathing, and heart palpitations. She cannot walk long distances and tires easily. Additionally, due to her poor health, Cho is no longer able to continue her studies. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Cho. The treatment is scheduled to take place on March 12 and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. "I want to get well soon and continue my studies. In the future, I want to become a teacher," says Cho.

Flora is a baby from Tanzania. She is the only child to her parents. She is a very happy and active child. Flora's mother is a stay-at-home mother, while her father is a motorcycle taxi operator. For the past year, Flora has been experiencing trouble breathing and sleeping. Frequent illness has caused many trips to the hospital. She was recently diagnosed with enlarged adenoids, which are the soft tissue behind the nasal cavity. Without treatment, this condition will cause Flora's symptoms to persist and possibly even intensify. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $609 to fund an adenoidectomy for Flora, which is scheduled to take place on January 4. Surgeons will remove her adenoids, hopefully relieving Flora of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Flora’s mother says, “I am grateful for this opportunity of treatment that my daughter has got. I will be so happy when she will be able to sleep better.”

Evelyne is a five-year-old girl from Kenya. She's the second born in a family of three children. Evelyne suffers from congenital angular deformity, a condition in which the joints or bones themselves bend abnormally. Her bones are also very weak and keep breaking. Because of her condition, Evelyne cannot walk or stand on her own, making it difficult for her to play with other kids or attend school. Evelyne has been treated with casting, but her condition has not improved. On June 22, Evelyne will undergo corrective surgery to treat her condition. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,165 to cover the cost of the surgery, five nights of hospital stay, medication, and medical supplies. “My joy is to see my daughter rising up and walk after surgery. I would also want to see her going to school. Due to the struggles I am experiencing, I would request for your help,” says Evelyne's father.

Lesly is a social 11-month-old baby girl from Guatemala. She loves to play with her toy doll. Lesly's parents work hard to support their family. Her father works as an agricultural laborer, and her mother weaves and sells traditional Mayan textiles. Lesly was recently diagnosed with malnutrition, a condition that occurs from consuming too little protein, calories, and nutrients. In the short term, malnutrition means Lesly has little energy to grow, and that her immune system is weak, leaving her vulnerable to diseases that further compromise her growth. She may also face long-term consequences of malnutrition if left untreated, such as increased risk of chronic illness and a lowered IQ. Concerned for her well-being, her mother took Lesly to our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, for treatment. Beginning June 22, Lesly will receive micronutrients and food supplementation, as well as regular growth monitoring. Community health workers will also teach her mother how to create a nutrient rich diet using limited resources. The $492 requested will cover all expenses of her continued treatment, allowing her to gain weight, strengthen her immune system, and catch up with other children her age. "I hope with the nutrition program my daughter will better her growth and development," says Lesly's mother. "I have every intention to put my time and effort into collaborating so that my daughter grows.”

Ketchina is an eight-year-old girl from Haiti. She lives with her parents, and two sisters. She is in the third grade and enjoys drawing and playing with dolls. Ketchina was born with tricuspid atresia, a condition in which her heart only has three valves, instead of the normal four. This prevents oxygen-rich blood from properly circulating throughout her body. On July 11, Ketchina will be traveling from her home in Haiti to our medical partner's care center, Health City Cayman Islands, in the Cayman Islands. There she will undergo heart surgery. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is asking for $1,500 to help cover the cost of Ketchina's surgery prep. Another organization, Have a Heart Cayman, has contributed $27,000 towards her treatment. We are also fundraising for her [transportation costs](https://watsi.org/profile/e94e481a0a43-ketchina). "I will be glad for the surgery to be over so that we can let Ketchina go to school and play with her friends without worrying about her," says Ketchina's mother.

Elvis is a six-year-old boy from Kenya. He lives with his family in Nairobi. According to the staff at our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital, he is sharp, playful, and full of life. Elvis was born with penoscrotal hypospadias—a condition in which the urethral orifice is abnormally placed. If left untreated, he is likely to experience social stigma and impotence. Elvis is scheduled to undergo treatment on March 29. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $700 to cover the cost of the operation. After surgery, Elvis will be able to grow and develop normally. “You are heaven-sent because we could not do it without your assistance," his mother says.

Evelyn is a two-month-old girl from Guatemala. She is her parents' first child, and they feel blessed to have Evelyn in their lives. Evelyn’s father works as a bus attendant, and her mother stays at home to take care of her. The family enjoys going to church together. Due to feeding difficulties, Evelyn has not been able to gain the proper nutrients needed during this delicate time for brain development. Nutritionists at our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, provided a preliminary supply of formula to improve Evelyn's diet while a nutritional plan is developed for her to begin formal treatment. Through a combination of formula and nutritional education, Evelyn will receive the calories she needs to grow and thrive. She is scheduled to begin treatment on January 19. "I hope that my daughter has the best opportunities to move forward in life," says Evelyn's mother. Wuqu' Kawoq is requesting $1,107 to fund Evelyn's treatment. Proper nutrition will make Evelyn's immune system strengthen, and she will grow to be a healthy, energetic baby.

Brightness is a joyful nine-year-old girl from Tanzania. She is one of five children in her family. Brightness enjoys learning in school. Recently, however, she has been unable to attend. Her condition, genu varus, makes it difficult for her to walk to school. Genu varus is a medical condition that causes an inward angulation of the bones in the leg. Brightness has undergone one corrective surgery already. Her doctors have suggested a second corrective surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $940 to fund her x-rays, corrective surgery, medication, casting, physiotherapy, and hospital stay. Her surgery is scheduled for January 12. Brightness's mother says, "Currently, my child cannot go to school, so I hope that after surgery she will be able to return to school."

Four-year-old Maria is a charming girl with an infectious smile and a twinkle in her eyes. She is a nursery school student and the youngest of three children in her family. She lives with her family in a rental house in Kenya. Her mother sells African dresses, and her father works as a chef. Maria visited our medical partner's hospital with a protruding abdominal bulge that was visible under her woolen cardigan. She was diagnosed with an umbilical hernia, a condition that occurs when a portion of the intestine protrudes through the umbilical opening in the abdominal muscles, presenting as a soft swelling or bulge near the navel. Maria's condition causes her pain, and painkillers provide only temporary relief. Without surgery, a segment of the intestine may become trapped in the hernia and cause more intense pain. In addition, the blood supply to the trapped tissue may weaken and lead to tissue death. Fortunately, Maria will undergo an operation to repair the hernia on December 22. During the procedure, the surgeon will push the protruding tissue back into the abdomen and cover the umbilical area with a synthetic mesh. Over time, muscle tissue will grow into and around the mesh to reinforce the area and prevent protrusion of the intestines. With very little income, Maria's parents are not able to raise the funds needed for Maria’s surgical care. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $423. Funding for Maria covers the costs of the surgery, two nights in the hospital, pain medicine, blood tests, and antibiotics. "God bless anyone who takes the time to listen to my story," shares Maria's mother. "I hope you can inspire me by making a difference in the life of my daughter."