“48-year-old Than Nwet has lived in Burma for the last three years and works with her family as fishermen,” our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP) tells us. She has five daughters and two sons. “After Than Nwet’s third pregnancy, her uterus began to protrude from her vagina, but she did not seek medical help at that time,” BBP tells us. “After working very hard doing some heavy lifting, her uterus came completely out." Than Nwet's village clinic wasn't able to provide proper gynecological care for her. Her condition causes her to have constant pain, bleeding, and discomfort. "She is only able to perform household chores and cannot contribute to the household income." She finally decided to seek proper care once her condition began impeding on her ability to walk. Surgery and treatment for Than Nwet costs $1,500. “After surgery, Than Nwet should not have any more discomfort,” says BBP. “She should be able to go back and work and generate income for her family.” “I am desperately hoping for a successful surgery so that I can return to work and experience relief,” shares Than Nwet.

Jao is a lively 11-month-old baby from the Philippines who "loves to smile at the people around him," shares our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). “When Jao was born, it was found that he did not pass stool at all," ICM shares. Jao was born with an imperforate anus, and one day after birth, Jao received a colostomy as a temporary solution. Jao’s parents tell ICM, “We have given up farming and started to do weaving so that we can stay at home and take care of Jao.” However, their combined earnings of $55 a month from bag weaving is not enough to support the family’s daily needs, much less the colostomy bags Jao requires. $965 will fund corrective surgery to create an anal opening for Jao. ICM expects that after a few months, Jao will be able to have his colostomy closed and, “With this, he is one step closer to becoming a normal child with lots of things to look forward to as he grows." Jao’s parents share, “We would really love to see him well just like any other kid."

James, a seven-year-old boy from Kenya, is the youngest of five siblings and loves football. His mother is a farmer and his father works on construction sites to support their family. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), shares that James was born with a small anal opening and had a colostomy done right after he was born. Recently he had a pull-through procedure to reposition his anus and minimize damage to surrounding structures. However, he needs one final surgery to ensure he heals properly. Currently James undergoes anal dilation to prevent scar tissue from closing the newly created anus. His final surgery will be a colostomy closure, and the treatment cost is $1260. AMHF tells us: "He suffers stomach upsets. James is at risk of suffering constipation and bowel perforation because of inability to pass stool normally. Due to the nature of his condition, James has not been enrolled in a learning institution." "James is a brilliant child. I can’t wait to see him attend school. He is my joy and I hope he gets treated," James' mother exclaims.

Meet Maxwell, an eight-day-old boy from Kenya. Maxwell's mother and Maxwell live in a single-roomed rental house, and his mother works as house cleaner. When Maxwell was born, he was diagnosed with spina bifida -- a birth defect in which the membrane and backbone around the spinal cord are not completely closed off. “If the surgery is not done soon, Maxwell is likely to develop an infection,” explains our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. “He is also likely to develop spinal complications such as scoliosis and/or tethered cord.” "My son means everything to me," Maxwell's mother says. "He gives me a reason to wake up every day and work hard to give him a better future." For $805, we can fund Maxwell's spina bifida closure surgery to reduce any spinal complications and risks of being infected.

“Edwin is so happy all the time, I just want him to grow and be healthy,” Edwin’s mom tells us. Edwin is a four-year-old boy living in Guatemala. He has Down’s syndrome, a genetic disorder that results from an extra copy of chromosome 21. This condition causes delays in physical growth, as well as cognitive effects. “He is not growing well, and he has very limited motor and speech capabilities,” our partners at the Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK) medical center explain. “He needs physical and speech therapy so that he can gain these abilities, and he needs a thorough medical workup to rule out and treat the common causes of growth failure in Down’s syndrome, such as problems with the thyroid gland.” "With therapy, Edwin will begin to gain language and motor milestones, and he’ll be able to learn to help around the house and help with his own care. His social interactions will improve and, hopefully, he’ll be able to go to school as a result," WK continues. Edwin’s mother is raising him as a single mom, and it is often difficult for her to make ends meet. She is so excited about the prospect of seeing Edwin benefit from the therapy that WK can provide. For $1,385 we can fund this life changing therapy for Edwin and his mother – let's do it!

"Baraka is a very talkative little boy," writes our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "He is in kindergarten and likes to draw and color some pictures. He also likes to run around with other children as well as playing with cars." Six-year-old Baraka lives with his parents and two older siblings in Tanzania. His parents work in a restaurant in their hometown to support their family. Baraka's father is a chef at the restaurant while his mother works as a restaurant attendant. Baraka has clubfoot in both of his feet, which means they are turned inwards on each other. This affects the way that he walks and keeps him from being active or even walking long distances without experiencing pain. The AMHF team has recommended corrective surgery to make it possible for Baraka to be active. The procedure costs $1160, an expense which is out of his family's reach. “Baraka is so charming and full of life," says Baraka's mother. "We hope to see him able to walk properly and perform various activities without constraints on his feet." Watsi donors - let's help this vibrant young boy experience the pleasure of an active childhood.

Meet Ricardo! Ricardo is a 23-year-old from Haiti who goes to school and works as a field worker and mason to help support himself and his mother, whom he's cared for since his father passed away. Two years ago, Ricardo noticed a bump on his hand that became very painful. He sought medical help and tried a few unsuccessful treatments before being diagnosed with a malignant tumor. Ricardo couldn’t afford the necessary treatment, and since then, the pain has become so severe that he's had to stop working. $1,500 will allow Ricardo to receive chemotherapy and surgery to remove the tumor. “After receiving care I am looking forward to find a job, work and provide a house to my mother and give her a small business at home," Ricardo says. Let's make a healthy life possible for him!

Meet Godon, a sweet three-year-old girl who lives in Ethiopia. Godon lives with bladder exstrophy, a very rare congenital anomaly that causes part of her bladder to exist outside her body. As a result, Godon's kidney leaks urine directly onto her body. Godon grew up in Somalia, where her parents spent all their money trying to find treatment. When they did not find any help, they moved to Ethiopia. Godon’s father says, “My daughter is a bright young girl, and I hope that she will grow up to be a doctor.” For $1,500, we can help Godon receive surgery that will use part of her intestine to form a new bladder. She will be able to maintain better bladder control and prevent urine leakage. Let's help Godon live a healthy, normal life!