Keith is a 12-year-old from Kenya. He is the first born child in a family of two, both of whom are students in grade three. They hail from Kaptul village which is known to be a rural area with less access to medical and social services. His parents are peasant farmers and they depend on seasonal farm products like mangoes and cassavas for commercial purpose. The money they get from those farm products is not enough to sustain the family for their daily needs. Therefore they depend on well-wishers for food and clothing when they don’t have farm products to sell. Four days ago, Keith fell from a high height and sustained trauma with injuries on right leg. A right tibia fracture was revealed by x-ray on his arrival to the hospital. Keith was looking after his grandmother’s cattle when he fell into a ditch. He is now in pain and cannot walk. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 20th, Keith will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him heal well and be able to walk again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $968 to fund this procedure. Keith’s mother says, “He is hardworking and he is liked by his grandmother for being honest and taking responsibility. He will be missed by his grandmother, who is wishing him quick recovery.”

Aung is a 34-year-old man from Burma who lives with his wife, son, and daughter. Both he and his wife work as government officers. In his free time he likes to read books. Aung 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, Aung feels tired, has chest pains, and has difficulty breathing. However, he can eat and sleep well. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Aung. The treatment is scheduled to take place on January 27th and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. “I want to go back to work [as a] healthy [person] and support my family,” said Aung.

Esther is a pre-school teacher from Kenya. She is a mother of three children. She is the sole provider for her three children. In February, Esther decided to attend a free cancer screening camp, where she was unfortunately diagnosed with cervical cancer. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $756 to fund Esther's surgery. On July 5, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Esther will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Esther says, “I wish that soon I will be treated and return to my job. I miss the children I teach in the school."

Ray is a five-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his parents and eleven-year-old brother. Ray will start school this year. He loves to play with toy crane with his older brother. Since he was a month old, Ray has had right inguinal hernia. He experiences pain. Fortunately, on June 4, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sot General Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Ray's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 4 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Ray’s mother says, “I hope that my son will get better soon and be able to play with his favorite toy crane again.”

Lewis is a student from Kenya. He is the second child in the family. His father is a cobbler, while his mother is a vendor in town. Lewis has clubfoot of his left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Lewis traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on May 14. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund Lewis's clubfoot repair. After treatment, Lewis will be free from pain. “I will be happy to see my son walking," says his father.

Yoe is a 16-year-old day laborer from Burma. He lives with his parents, two brothers, and one sister in Karen State, Burma. Yoe's parents work as subsistence farmers, and his older brother works on a neighbor's farm. On March 4, Yoe was driving a friend home at night when they got into a motorbike accident. Yoe injured his left thigh, breaking his femur. He is not able to walk or work, and he is in a lot of pain. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Yoe will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for March 5 and will cost $1,500. After treatment, he will be able to support his family again. Yoe said, “I am worried that if I do not receive medical treatment, I will not be able to find to work."

Vath is a farmer and mother of six. She has five grandchildren, who she enjoys teaching. She also likes tending to her mango and banana trees. Two months ago, she fell down while working and dislocated her elbow. Her elbow has been stiff and has caused chronic pain every since her fall. She needs to have a reduction procedure to fix her elbow. Fortunately, she will undergo surgery at our medical partner's care center on February 8. She needs help raising $390 to pay for surgery. She says, "I am looking forward to going home and spending time with my family after surgery."

Beth is a small-scale farmer from Kenya. She has four children and works with her husband. Beth has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Without treatment, the cancer may spread to other organs. A mastectomy, a surgery to remove breast tissue, has been suggested to rid her body of breast cancer and to prevent the cancer from metastasizing. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $816 to cover the cost of a mastectomy for Beth. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 5. After treatment, Beth will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. Beth says, “I wish I could be treated and no longer be in pain. Kindly help me."

Rael is a primary level student from Kenya. She is the fifth born in a family of eight children. Rael's parents are casual laborers, and the family lives in a rented two-room house. In early November, Rael was visiting her grandparents when she fell from a motorbike. The bike's chain tore her knee, resulting in a fracture and a degloving injury. She is not able to walk or move. Rael is at risk of infection and permanent disability. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Rael receive treatment. On November 21, surgeons will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure to heal her infected bone. Now, Rael needs help to fund this $1,129 procedure. Rael says, “I want the pain I am feeling to just end. I would like to walk with ease."

Jessika is a student from Haiti. She lives in Port-au-Prince with her mother, father, and younger sister. She has been studying diplomacy in a local university but has had to take time off because of her illness. Jessika has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves in her heart has been severely damaged from rheumatic fever, and can no longer adequately pump blood through her body. Jessika will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On December 7, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will either repair her mitral valve, or replace it with an artificial valve.. Another organization, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, is contributing $65,000 to pay for surgery. Jessika'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 Jessika's family overseas. She says, "I am very nervous but am looking forward to surgery so I can continue my studies."

Sialu is a four-year-old girl from Sierra Leone. She lives with her parents and large extended family. Sialu is always smiling and making new friends in her neighborhood. Sialu was born with a heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot, where there exists a hole between two chambers of her heart and a muscular blockage in one of her valves. On August 10, Sialu will be traveling from her home in Sierra Leone to our medical partner's care center, Narayana Institute Of Cardiac Sciences, in Bangalore, India. Although Sialu is not from Haiti, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is collaborating with other partners to make her surgery possible, and so is asking for $1,500 to help cover the cost of Sialu's surgery prep. Another organization, Have a Heart Cayman, has contributed $12,000 towards her treatment. We are also fundraising for her [transportation costs](https://watsi.org/profile/b11f126fa2d5-sialu). "We feel like our prayers are being answered now that we know our daughter is able to have surgery soon!" says Sialu's mother.

Carminia is a 41-year-old mother and wife from Guatemala. She has one child and works as a homemaker while her husband works in the local countryside. Carminia developed cataracts in both of her eyes years ago, and they have only gotten worse over time. This has lead to blurred vision, irritation, and tearing, and she no longer feels comfortable leaving her home alone. Carminia sought treatment through our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, and is now scheduled to receive cataract repair surgery on June 23. Due to the complicated nature of her cataracts, Carminia will require more evaluations and post surgery care than usual. The $1,500 requested by Wuqu' Kawoq will cover all of the expenses of her procedure, transportation, and care. Carminia says, “I do not have the words to thank the institution for all the support we've received. All that I hope for now, is that my operation goes well.”