Joseph is a happy and active eleven-year-old boy from Tanzania. He was born in August 2004. Joseph is the fourth born in a family of eight children. He is in class four and enjoys science and English subjects. He also likes running, playing football, as well as playing a local marble game. Joseph was born without any problems. Three years ago, a small swelling became visible on the front part of his neck. As time went by, the swelling kept growing bigger, and was diagnosed as a cystic hygroma. Although it is not painful, Joseph’s parents are concerned because their son’s health seems to be deteriorating. His parents share that he sometimes becomes very moody. If not treated, the mass may grow until it invades all vital structures and compromises his airway. Joseph needs a mass excision surgery, where the swelling will be surgically removed to prevent any future complications. The surgery will cost $920, which includes all pre- and post-operative care. Joseph's parents are small scale farmers. They mostly grow maize and sugarcane. With such a big family to support and children to take to school, coming up with the funds to cover the cost of surgery which Joseph needs has not been easy. "Joseph wishes to become a doctor when he grows up," his parents share. Let's help him get healthy and focus on his dream without his current condition to worry about.

Meet Sucely, a one-year-old girl from Guatemala. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), describes Sucely as an “active and well-tempered child,” who laughs frequently and enjoys playing with dolls. Sucely lives on a compound-style property with her extended family. “Her aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandmother all participate and contribute to the general well-being of family and spend lots of quality time together,” says WK. Recently, Sucely’s parents have been extremely worried about their youngest daughter, who hasn’t been growing like her two older brothers did. After examining Sucely, WK diagnosed her with acute malnutrition. Sucely does not consume enough food, and she is unable to retain nutrients due to parasitic disease and bacterial infection. If left untreated, Sucely’s malnutrition could lead to extreme dehydration, a compromised immune system, and death. According to Sucely’s mother, “We have a lot of family and so our resources are spread very thin.” Sucely’s father is a part-time carpenter, but he does not make enough to cover the costs of her treatment. For $535, we can help Sucely get the life-saving help she needs. “This treatment will supply Sucely with growth monitoring, micronutrient and food supplementation, and medication for her to recoup some of the weight and height she has lost and increase her overall caloric intake,” says WK. Moreover, her parents will receive “intensive nutrition education, thus building their confidence and ability to care for Sucely throughout her childhood.” Sucely’s mother shares, “Thank you so much for finding us. I am worried because our other two children were not like this. We are excited to learn.” Let’s help give Sucely the opportunity to develop normally and live a healthy, happy life!

Meet, Alinafe, a one-year old baby girl living in Malawi. To support the family, “Alinafe’s mother runs a small scale business to earn their living,” shares our medical partner, World Altering Medicine (WAM). At a crucial point in her early childhood development, Alinafe has experienced growth issues as a result of a condition called hydrocephalus. Alinafe was brought to WAM’s clinic when her mother observed a growth on her head. A medical examination confirmed the diagnosis of hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a rare neurological medical condition caused by a fluid buildup in a localized area of the brain. Without intervention, the pressure and fluid buildup can lead to long term health complications, especially throughout important stages of childhood development. At this point, Alinafe is beginning to have problems with her vision and is experiencing issues with walking. With, $992, Alinafe will undergo surgery to drain the excess fluid from her brain. This procedure will be done by means of an endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), which will naturally drain out the blocked fluid. In addition to her operation, Alinafe will receive seven days of hospitalized care as well as all of the necessary preoperative and postoperative examinations required for a safe surgery. This procedure is expected to have a great impact on Alinafe’s childhood growth and overall health, allowing her to “regain her sight and start walking again,” comments WAM. “I am hopeful to have the surgery done,” Alinfe’s mother shares.

"My wish is for my son to grow equally to the other kids, to become big and to go to school," shares Fredy's mother. One-year-old Fredy is from Guatemala, and is the youngest of seven brothers. "When work is available, Fredy’s dad heads to the mountains to tend to cornfields, or collect firewood to sell," says our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK). "Fredy’s mom did not realize she was pregnant again, and because of their poverty, she was not taking suffient care of her health. When Fredy was born a couple weeks early, he was so small his mom was very scared that he might die. Now, she is not producing enough milk to feed Fredy and she cannot afford formula as it is too expensive, and she has many mouths to feed in her family." "For a new born baby, access to maternal milk is critical," continues WK. "If milk supply is poor, the baby will begin to lose weight. This almost immediately begins to have impact on potential brain development and, if it is not caught quickly and reversed, it can lead to death." For $1,220, we can treate Fredy for malnutrition and dehydration, and ensure that he develops normally. "This treatment will save Fredy’s brain and his life," WK adds. "It will promote normal growth of the brain, and guarantee he has a chance to lead normal and highly functional life at his full potential."

Swaumu is a cheerful three-year-old girl from Tanzania, with clear plans for her future. “I want to go to school,” she states. Swaumu's parents are farmers and have high hopes that Swaumu will be able to attend school. However, she currently experiences debilitating symptoms as a result of unilateral clubfoot. Her foot is turned inward. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF) describes, “Swaumu has a problem wearing shoes and walking normally because she is not developing normal musculature around the foot and ankle.” Clubfoot is very treatable. Swaumu can receive a combination of casting and surgery to realign the foot and ankle joint. AMHF explains, “It is expected that Swaumu's treatment will be completely successful in straightening her foot and allowing her to grow up walking normally.” $1,160 will fund Swaumu's treatment and enable her to get to school!

Meet Dennis, an 11-year-old boy from Kenya! “Dennis is in primary school, class six, and was doing fairly well in his studies,” our medical partner African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF) says. Six months ago, Dennis was diagnosed with a condition in which his right side testicle is not descended in the scrotum. “Dennis has developed social issues due to low self-esteem,” AMHF explains. Because of his insecurity, he is not performing as well in school as he used to. “He may suffer from infertility and even testicular cancer if not treated,” continues AMHF. For $540, we can supply Dennis with an orchidopexy, a type of surgery that will move the undescended testicle into the scrotum, reducing Dennis’s risk of testicular cancer and infertility. “Dennis’s self-esteem will be boosted, too” AMHF tells us. “I would like to become a pilot in the future,” Dennis says. “I am hopeful for a successful surgery. This surgery will help me improve in school as I will be able to concentrate better in class!”

Say hello to Joash! He is three years old, and lives in Kenya with his parents. Joash lives with a condition called hypospadias. “He is not able to pass urine normally because his urethral opening is not at the tip of his penis,” explains our medical partner African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “Joash will be at risk of urinary tract infections. He may not be able to have his own children when he grows up and he is likely to have low self-esteem.” For $655, Joash will receive a hypsophadius repair that will allow him to pass urine normally and reduce his risk of urinary tract infections. “I have finally found the right hospital for treatment," Joash's mother shares. "I am thankful and I look forward to a successful surgery.”

“Sofia’s mother tells us that she is very excited to finally have some answers and to start seeing positive changes,” says our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq. Meet Sofia, an eight-year-old girl from Guatemala who has seizures and delayed speech development. “Sofia needs aggressive therapy to control seizures and speech therapy to help improve her language so that she can begin to succeed in school,” continues Wuqu’ Kawoq. Sofia has missed school due to her episodes and difficulty with speech. “As a result, children make fun of her and she doesn't want to go to school.” “Sofia’s mother tells us that she is frustrated because Sofia is very bright, but she just has never had a chance. Poverty has limited the family’s ability to get her medical care that she needs,” relays Wuqu’ Kawoq. For $1385, we can accelerate Sofia’s speech development and reduce her seizure episodes. “Sofia’s speech defect will improve, and communication will be much better. Seizures will be controlled, and therefore social function and school performance will be dramatically improved,” Wuqu’ Kawoq concludes.