Mu is a 27-year-old farmer from Burma. She rents a patch of land with her husband and farms. She has two children. Mu experienced abdominal pain and visited Mae Tao Clinic, our medical partner's care center. She received medication, which temporarily alleviated the pain but did not eliminate her symptoms. She has been diagnosed with gallstone pancreatitis. Mu says, “It is a sharp pain and it comes on without warning. Sometimes I can feel it all the way in my back.” Mu has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, Mu's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Mu is scheduled to undergo her cholecystectomy on February 14. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Mu's procedure and care.

Jefferson is a mechanic and a father of one son. His wife is a hair stylist. They live together in their ancestral land. In June 2017, Jefferson noticed a swelling growing under his skull. A CT scan shows that he has a meningioma, which causes him painful migraines. He also experiences numbness in his right hand, and he has not been able to work as much as he could previously. In October 2017, he was referred to our medical partner's care center. There, he will undergo a craniotomy on January 15. He now needs help to raise $1,495 to pay for this procedure. Jefferson says, “I wish to be treated and resume my normal duties. I don’t want complications that accompany this condition’s prognosis."

Reginal is a young man from Haiti. He lives on an island off the west coast of Haiti with his parents and younger brothers and sisters. He helps his family raise animals and grow crops around their house. Reginal has a cardiac condition called severe aortic regurgitation. One of the four valves in his heart has been severely damaged by rheumatic fever, and can no longer adequately pump blood to the rest of his body. Reginal will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On December 7, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will replace his damaged valve with an artificial implant. Another organization, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, is contributing $65,000 to pay for surgery. Reginal's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Reginal's family overseas. He says, "I will pray for everyone who is helping me to have this surgery!"

Victor is a 36-year-old man from Kenya who used to work as a fruit trader. Victor lives with his wife in a settlement in Nairobi, and together they have four children who, with the help of their grandparents, are all enrolled in school. Several years ago, Victor suffered a severe road accident. He was admitted to the hospital for three months and underwent two surgeries. Victor was left in crutches, unable to work. Last year, Victor underwent a first stage bone transport, a technique that allows for the regeneration of bony tissue. Surgeons have now recommended that Victor undergo a second stage bone transport in order to enhance his future mobility and prevent further infection. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of Victor's operation. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 29 and, once completed, should allow Victor to walk with ease and live comfortably with his family again. “I would like to get well to continue providing for my family and educate my children," says Victor.

Bravine is a one-month-old baby boy from Kenya. The first child to his parents, Bravine was diagnosed with spina bifida, a condition in which the spinal cord does not fully develop, shortly after his birth. If left untreated, spina bifida presents serious risks such as lower-limb paralysis, infection of the exposed nervous tissue, and development of tethered cord syndrome. Bravine's condition requires surgical treatment, however the cost of the operation is beyond his parents’ means. Both of Bravine's parents lack stable jobs, instead earning income from work like laundry and helping others farm their land. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,097, on top of the $10 subsidized by Bravine's parents, in order to fund Bravine's spina bifida closure surgery. The surgery is scheduled to take place on July 3 and, once completed, will hopefully dramatically improve Bravine's quality of life and allow him to develop along a healthy trajectory. “We are hoping to get help towards Bravine’s surgical care,’’ says Bravine’s mother.

Yeimy is a fun-loving 11-year-old girl from Guatemala. She lives with her parents and sister. Yeimy loves playing with her little sister and going to school. At school she enjoys playing with friends and pretending to be a ballerina. She hopes to one day become a nurse. When Yeimy was a newborn, she sustained an injury that caused the loss of one of her legs. On July 19, Yeimy will be fitted for a custom prosthetic leg at our medical partner's care center, Hospital Regional de Zacapa. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is asking for $1,166 to cover the cost of her prosthetic leg. Having a prosthetic will allow Yeimy to dance like she's never danced before! “I am so excited to receive this prosthetic because then I won’t get tired anymore," says Yeimy. "Now I know that I will achieve my dreams.”

Ashley is a four-year-old girl who lives in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic with her mother, who stays at home to take cafe of her, and her father, a machinist. She is a sweet, outgoing child who loves to make new friends. Ashley was born with a cardiac condition called patent ductus ateriosus, which means she was born with a hole in her heart between two major blood vessels. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving Ashley short of breath. Ashley also has Down syndrome. On May 26, Ashley will travel from the Dominican Republic to Haiti to begin treatment at our medical partner's care center, Hospital Pediatrico Robert Reid Cabral. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is asking for $1,500 to fund Ashley's travel costs, cardiac exams, medications, and social support. Ashley's cardiac care is being subsidized by Gift of Life International by $4,500. Ashley's mother says, "Our family is very excited that Ashley can finally have this chance to heal her heart."

Jackyto is a six-year-old boy from southern Haiti. He is in the first grade and likes going to school and drawing. Jackyto has four siblings and his parents are farmers. Jackyto was born with a heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. This means he has a hole between two chambers of his heart and a muscular blockage in one of the heart's valves. As a result, not enough oxygen is delivered to his body, leaving him sick and weak. Although Watsi has already funded Jackyto's [transportation](https://watsi.org/profile/e95b7420cae8-jackyto) to the hospital for his surgery, he is still in need of $1,500 to cover exams, heart surgery prep, and medications. Have a Heart Cayman is also contributing $22,000 to the costs of his heart surgery. "I am so thankful Jackyto will be able to travel for his surgery!" says Jackyto’s mother.

Karim is a 46-year-old baker from Cambodia who is married with one son, one daughter, and two grandchildren. Karim enjoys watching the news during his free time. He is also an avid soccer fan. One year ago, Karim developed a cataract in each eye. A cataract is a condition in which the lens of the eye becomes progressively opaque and cloudy. Karim is experiencing blurred vision and extreme sensitivity to light due to this condition. He also has trouble seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere by himself. Karim traveled three hours to reach our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for treatment. Surgeons at CSC recommended replacing the lenses with artificial ones. On May 17, Karim will receive this procedure, and CSC is requesting $292 to help fund it. Post-surgery, Karim will be able to see clearly again.

Elfry is a two-year-old boy from Guatemala. He lives with his parents and brother. His favorite game is to play toy cars with his brother. Elfry was recently diagnosed with acute malnutrition, a condition that results from consuming too little protein, calories, and nutrients. In the past, Elfry has received Watsi funding for [chronic malnutrition](https://watsi.org/profile/7feaf67e88dc-elfry), but his situation has not improved. Beginning on March 6, Elfry will receive treatment at our medical partner's care center, Clinic Panajachel. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is asking for $837 to cover the cost of Elfry's nutritional supplements and physician's fees. Additionally, the funds will go towards an educational program that will teach his mother how to create a nutrient-rich diet for him with limited resources. "I want to see my son get better so that one day he can grow up, study well, and become a teacher,” says Elfry's mother.

Bal is a 35-year-old man from Nepal. He lives with his wife and three children. He works as a farmer to support his family, while his wife takes care of the household. Bal has lived with a hydrocele, a condition causing swelling in a sensitive area, for two years now. The swelling has recently increased in size, and it now causes him pain and difficulty walking and working. On March 23, surgeons will perform a hydrocele repair surgery to alleviate the swelling and discomfort. Our medical partner, Possible, is requesting $380 to fund this procedure.

Srieng is a 67-year-old married woman from Cambodia with six sons, two daughters, and eleven grandchildren. In her free time, she likes to read books about Buddhism and to go to the pagoda to listen to monks pray. About ten years ago, Srieng developed a pterygium, or an abnormal growth of skin underneath the eyelid, in each eye. The ptergyiums cause her burning, irritation, tearing, and itchiness. It is difficult for her to see things clearly and do any type of work. Srieng is worried about becoming blind one day. Srieng is currently scheduled to undergo surgery on March 7. Eye surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will remove the pterygium from each eye. CSC is requesting $148 to cover the expenses of the procedure, which will include the costs of medicine and patient care. It is expected that Srieng will make a full recovery and will be able to see clearly again!