Degenet is an eight-month-old baby boy from Ethiopia and the third child born to his parents. He is curious and loves juice, eggs, and playing with his mom. His father is a day worker and a student, while his mom is a homemaker. Degenet was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. He needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Degenet is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition on May 4th. After his recovery, he will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Degenet's procedure and care. Degenet's mother shared, “I hope our baby gets as normal as other boys. I hope he will be educated and do good work in the future. And it is my hope he will serve God becoming a good Christian.”

Otete is a joyful 5-year-old and the fifth-born child in a family of five children. He is a cheerful, happy, and hardworking boy for his age. Otete is already taking part in helping at home with daily life activities, like taking their father’s cattle with his older siblings out for grazing around the village. He has not had the chance to enroll in school yet due to the condition of his right leg. Otete’s parents come from a pastoralist region where their major source of a living is livestock keeping. Otete was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgum, or bow-leggedness. This condition causes his legs bow inward so that his knees touch. Bow-leggedness is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he has pain after just a short distanced walk, and mornings can be a struggle. His parents shared that his legs are very painful when he tries to stand. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Otete. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 9th. Treatment will hopefully restore Otete's mobility, allowing him to return to some of his normal life activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Otete’s father shared, “We are concerned our son will not be able to walk by himself anymore if his legs are not set correctly. Please help our son as the cost is too high for us to afford.”

Mugisha is a 60-year-old man from western Uganda. He works as a casual laborer on a cattle farm. He came to our Medical Partner's Care Center Nyakibale Hospital with a left inguinal swelling that has been persistent for over three years. Prior to visiting Nyakibale Hospital, he had been seen at a government dispensary and given pain medications. However, without pain receding, a good samaritan nurse offered to take him to Nyakibale Hospital. Whenever he is doing any strenuous work, his pain increases, and this has limited his ability to deliver at his workplace. Mugisha was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia which requires surgical repair. If not treated, he is at risk of a strangulated hernia. Mugisha shared that he has done cattle farming for the past 30 years. He was not able to study in school at all after losing his parents at a young age. He earns a limited income and cannot meet the cost of surgery required. Fortunately, on October 6th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $230 to fund Mugisha's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Mugisha says: “I pray that you may consider my request and I believe that once I receive my surgery, all will be well and I will continue with my work on the farm.”

Noeun is a 41-year-old construction worker. He works alongside his wife; they have been married for fifteen years and have two children together. He takes his children to school everyday, and in his free time he loves to play soccer or exercise. Three years ago, Noeun fell from the roof of a construction site and suffered a traumatic injury to his left hip. He has taken medicine to help with the pain, but lately the pain has gotten worse, and he has difficulty walking and sleeping. He came to Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) on recommendation from a neighbor. An x-ray found that Noeun had a fracture in his left hip so doctors now plan to perform a hemiarthroplasty, a surgical procedure that involves replacing half of the hip joint. Once he recovers his hip pain will be gone and he will be able to walk easily and return to work. Now he needs your help to fund this $539 procedure.

Derick is a three-year-old boy from Tanzania and an only child to his parents. Derick is a friendly boy who likes playing and listening to stories from his mother. Derick’s parents depend on small scale farming to make ends meet for their small family. Derick was diagnosed with genu valgus. His legs bow inward so that her knees touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, as he continued to grow his leg condition worsened, making it more and more painful for him to walk. He no longer wants to stand or walk on his own so his mother carries him most of the time. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Derick. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 4th. Treatment will hopefully restore Derick's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Derick’s mother says: “Please help my son get this treatment, I am scared that he may lose his ability to walk.”

Tra is a 20-year-old rubber tree farmer from Cambodia. He is the youngest of four siblings, and enjoys playing soccer, listening to music, and watching television. Six months ago, Tra was in a traffic accident and fractured his lower left leg. After initial treatment at a nearby hospital, Tra's bone is now exposed, and he is unable to walk without support and is in constant pain. When Tra learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On January 9th, surgeons at CSC will perform a skin flap and debridement procedure, as well as an external frame to help his wounds to heal properly and allow him to walk comfortably again. Now, he needs help to fund this $657 procedure. "I hope that my injuries will be able to heal and that I will no longer be in pain and can walk again," he shared.

Johnson is a 2-month-old baby boy from Tanzania. He is the last born in a family of three children and was born with a left clubfoot. His condition is causing worry for his parents. They tried to seek doctor's advice from a local hospital and were referred to Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center ALMC/Plaster House. Johnson has been diagnosed with a left positional clubfoot which needs manipulation and casting to correct his foot so that he does not grow up disabled. If this condition is not treated Johnson will have difficulty learning to stand and walk when the time comes. He will also not be able to wear normal shoes and walking will always be difficult for him. Johnson’s father works as bodaboda taxi driver to be able to care for and support his family. They also practice small-scale farming where they grow crops for their own family. Their income is not enough to pay for their basic needs and still afford their son’s treatment cost so they are asking for help. Fortunately, Johnson's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center where surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on October 9th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Johnson's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily when he grows up and develop like any other child. Johnson’s mother shared, “We wouldn’t want our son to grow up disabled. Please help us we since we are unable to afford the treatment cost as our income is not enough.”

Rosaline is a 23-year-old manual laborer from Kenya. When she was only 15 years old, young Rosaline was married and conceived her 1st born. A year later, she left her matrimonial home following constant quarrels and domestic violence from her then-husband. She went back to her ancestral home to live with her elderly mother. She currently has three children ages: 7, 4, and 2 years old. She was not able to complete a formal education. Rosaline lives in a one-room traditional house with her children. She depends on a small income she gets from fetching water for people in her village. On a good day, she makes $2, which she uses to feed her kids and take care of her basic needs. On days when there are no jobs, she relies on her siblings for food. Rosaline is the last born in a family of five. Her siblings do fishing in the nearby lake Baringo and don’t have a stable source of income either. In April 2020, Rosaline's traditional lessos and dress caught fire while cooking in her small makeshift kitchen. She shared that the space around the cooking area is small and can barely accommodate 2 people. As she was turning to pick up salt, her loose lessos and dress caught fire causing severe burns on more than 20% of her body. She now has difficulty sitting and is in pain. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Rosaline receive treatment. On September 22nd, surgeons will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure to this treatment will help her heal properly and she will no longer be in pain. Now, Rosaline needs help to fund this $1,185 procedure. Rosaline shared with us, “I have gone through a lot. Early marriage and break up, teen pregnancy, and now this accident. I have 3 children to feed and raise. I even had to discontinue my little baby from breastfeeding after I sustained the burns. I am in constant pain and at risk of getting infections. I am hopeful I will get to undergo this surgery so that I can take care of my young family.”

Sak is 32-years-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He was recently married, and he and his wife have a nine-month-old daughter. His wife was a factory worker, but has been staying at home to take care of the baby. In order to supplement his income, Sak also raises and sells chickens. In his free time he enjoys watching boxing on TV and doing the housework. Three months ago, Sak was in a motor accident in which he suffered trauma to his left shoulder and forearm. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. He received treatment from another hospital, but the operation was unsuccessful and now he can no longer move any joints in his left arm or fingers on his left hand. His family is worried that he will have permanent damage and will not be able to continue working, making life for his wife and young daughter very difficult. Sak traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On June 2nd, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he will be able to move and use his left arm again. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $696 to fund this procedure. Sa said, "I am worried for my family when I can't work, so I hope after surgery I can move my shoulder again like normal."

Doem is a 59-year-old Khmer classical musician from Cambodia. He has one son, one daughter, and three grandchildren. In addition to helping his family plant crops, Doem and his music group play for wedding parties in his province. Two months ago, the retina of Doem's right eye detached, causing him blurry vision and tears. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Doem learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three-and-a-half hours seeking treatment. On May 6th, eye surgeons will perform a retinal detachment repair procedure in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $648 procedure. Doem said, "I want to return to playing music, but I also need my eyes to help my family with our crops because I am the only one who knows how to drive the harvesting motorbike."

Cyrus is a businessman from Kenya and the father of four children. He sells second-hand clothes to make a living. His wife takes up small jobs to complement his income. He was involved in a road accident as a pillion passenger while rushing home to avoid trouble with the police during the current COVID-19 curfew in the country. While riding a motorcycle, they lost control as they were trying to avoid hitting a pedestrian. He suffered a closed femur fracture and was rushed to the hospital. He is in pain and cannot walk. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On April 7th, Cyrus will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,451 to fund this procedure. Cyrus says, “I am in great pain and worried of the financial cost required. Kindly help me. I look forward to continue providing for my children.”

Lazaru was diagnosed with an anorectal malformation a day after birth. This is a condition where Lazaru was born without an anal opening. While changing his diapers, his mother noticed that Lazaru had not passed stool since he was born. His abdomen was distended and he was quite irritable. A closer look confirmed that their son lacked an anal opening. This was unheard of and discreetly, his parents rushed him to the nearest hospital. Lazaru was further referred and a colostomy put in place when he was three days old. A second surgery would be needed later on to create an anal opening. The funds they had were exhausted and thus could not afford to pay for the subsequent surgery. A previous Watsi beneficiary from their village advised them to visit BethanyKids Hospital where they could get assistance. With hopes high, they set out. The creation of an anal opening is needed without which, Lazaru risks scarring at the colostomy site due to occasional leakages and infection. Lazaru lives with his parents and elder brother in a one-room traditional house in the Rift Valley region of Kenya. His parents are subsistence farmers and own a few goats. His family was also advised to apply for national health insurance to support future needs, which they did not know was possible. They are appealing for help towards their son’s surgical care. “A friend told us that we would get help from here and we are happy even for the warm reception,” says Lazaru’s mother.