Meet Benedict, a seven year-old boy from Kenya. Benedict is currently in first grade and his favorite subject is science. Benedict was born with a condition called distal hypospadias. His doctor explains, “Benedict was set to undergo circumcision when doctors realized he had a low lying urethral opening. Benedict was born with an abnormally placed urination hole. As a result, he cannot pass urine normally. If not treated, Benedict is at risk of urinary tract infections and infertility in future.” For $665, we can fund a treatment that will repair Benedict’s urinary tract. “We expect after treatment, Benedict will recover fully. He will be able to pass urine normally and he will be no longer at risk of urinary tract infections or infertility in the future,” shares his doctor. Benedict looks forward to growing up healthy after surgery. “I want to build and own houses when I am older," he says.

Meet Cristian, an eight-month-old boy from Guatemala. Cristian is the only child of two loving parents. According to our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), Cristian’s father is a day laborer and his mother weaves textiles to sell at a market. To supplement their income, they also tend to a small corn field near their house. Cristian is acutely malnourished. Due to his condition, “Cristian has diarrhea and a fever, and his height and weight are far below the average for his age,” WK shares. “His parents cannot afford to pay for medication or hospital visits and so without intervention his health will continue to decline.” A healthy diet is essential for normal childhood growth--supporting both physical and cognitive development. With this condition, Cristian’s immune system may also diminish, exposing him to risk of infection. For $535, Cristian will be treated for acute malnutrition. He will receive nutritional supplements and medication to treat and prevent gastrointestinal infections causing his diarrhea. Cristian’s mother will also participate in intensive nutrition education courses--teaching her how to better care for her son’s nutritional needs. WK states that with the proposed treatment, “Cristian will begin to recoup the height and weight he has lost, will avoid the long term effects of malnutrition, and develop the ability to concentrate and eventually succeed in school and the work force.” "I want to learn all I can to help my first child," Cristian’s mother shares, "so that I can then help others and prevent malnutrition in the future.”

"For two weeks now, Tabitha - a fruit seller - has not sold a single fruit. Having to bear with a lot of pain, Tabitha has had to take a hiatus," explains our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "Tabitha, a divorced mother of five, has cancer of the right breast. Tabitha says she noticed a small painless lump in 2014. A year later, thousands spent, numerous tests done, Tabitha reports the lump has been rapidly increasing in size. The lump is also painful," AMHF continues. "Tabitha separated from her husband ten years ago. He provides little financial assistance and rarely communicates with the family. For ten years now, Tabitha has provided for her children and nurtured them: they have known her as both mother and father. Tabitha sells fruits in the central part of Kenya. From her earnings, Tabitha supports her mother who's diabetic and her last born daughter who is just out of high school." Tabitha needs a mastectomy to remove her breast, and ensure the cancer does not spread. Treatment will cost $740, but Tabitha has no way of affording the total cost. Fortunately, we can help make it happen. "We expect after a mastectomy, the risk of cancer spreading to other organs will be halted. Tabitha will be able to resume work and support her family," AMHF adds.

“Everyday I feel afraid,” Isabel shares. “I want to heal, and to have more time with my family. We just don’t have the financial resources to afford chemotherapy.” 55-year-old Isabel has cervical cancer. She is a mother of three children and lives in a small home in rural Guatemala. “She told our staff that she has never had a steady job,” shares our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). “Since childhood and adolescence she has worked as a housewife. Her husband is a farmer but he stopped working and supporting her about 10 years ago for undisclosed reasons. Now, she works selling clothing and crafts. Her dream for the future is to have greater success with her business and seek other forms of income for her family. Her favorite activity is attending church with her only brother.” Isabel came to WK after living with uncomfortable symptoms for three years. “She never had the courage or the money to seek care,” WK says. “There is a lot of discrimination against Indigenous people in the public healthcare system.” For $1,430, Isabel will receive chemotherapy to treat her cancer. Not only will she undergo treatment, but she will receive all of WK’s services -- bus transportation from her village to the government hospital, translation while in the hospital, and general case management. “Without assistance, Isabel will be unable to afford the life-saving care she needs,” WK says.

Meet Soinize, a 50-year-old woman from Haiti who has a type of cancer in her eye known as squamous cell carcinoma. Because of this she has clouded retinas, partial loss of vision, and severe irritation. Soinize is in so much pain that she is often unable to sleep at night. Soinize's husband passed away, so she cares for her four children and pays for their schooling by herself. She washes clothes for her neighbors and sells goods on the street to earn some money, but it’s not enough to support her family and pay for her own medical treatment. To get the appropriate treatment for her cancer, Soinize will need to spend six weeks at a hospital in the Dominican Republic. She needs surgical intervention, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. With $1500 we can help support Soinize on her long journey to health.

This handsome face belongs to Elvis, a one-year-old little boy from Guatemala. He lives with his parents and older brother, Henry. Interestingly, this family is no stranger to Watsi! Henry was a patient in the past, and Watsi is excited to continue to provide “family based care” to this deserving family! Like his brother, Elvis was born with blocked tear ducts in both eyes. This means that his eyes are constantly irritated and that his tears do not drain properly. In addition to being a cosmetic issue, this leads to frequent painful infections of the tear ducts. For $1,500 Elvis can receive bilateral tear duct surgery, as well as the associated lab work, medications and transportation to and from the hospital. Successful surgery should allow Elvis’ tear ducts to drain normally, which will alleviate the pain and discomfort he is experiencing. Additionally, his appearance will improve. Let's help this family for a second time and give Elvis the same care we gave to his older brother!

Ansley is an intelligent 14-year-old boy living in Haiti. Ansley’s mother is a primary school teacher and his father is a small farmer, both working hard to provide for Ansley and his siblings. Ansley loves school but had to put his schooling on hold after he lost the function of his right hand and leg, leaving him unable to walk and lift his hand. His mother took him to the doctors and the result of a CT scan revealed Ansley has a brain tumor. Ansley is now also losing his ability to talk and see well. Let’s raise $1500 for Ansley to travel to the Dominican Republic and receive the four-week radiation therapy. Ansley is excited to get back to school so let’s help him get the treatment he needs to have restored health!