Joshua is a four-year-old boy living in Tanzania. He two siblings, including a twin. He enjoys playing with his siblings and looks forward to attending school with them. As Joshua grew, he experienced pain in his legs. His mother noticed that his legs began to bend. They sought treatment from our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. Joshua was diagnosed with genu varus, or bowleggedness. Without treatment, he would continue to experience difficulty walking. Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on January 19. "I see that my son wants to go to school when his siblings go, and I hope that after he has been treated, he will be able to join them" says Joshua's mother. Joshua's mother needs financial assistance to help treat her son. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $940 in funding.

Wielman lives with his parents and brother in rural Guatemala. He likes to eat rice and play with his brother. Wielman has been diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition. At two years of age, his weight is the same as that of a healthy six-month-old baby. Without treatment, Wielman faces increased risk of developing chronic diseases and having a low IQ. Treatment and prevention of severe acute malnutrition is crucial for Wielman's development. $782 will fund Wielman's treatment at our medical partner's care center, Clinic Tecpán. Beginning on January 19, Wielman's condition will be evaluated by nutritionists and physicians. His growth will be monitored, and he will receive medical care and nutritional supplements. Community health workers will also visit his family and educate them on how to prepare nutrient-rich meals to support Wielman's development. Wielman's mother says that she is "going to look for a way to dedicate more time to Wielman to improve his growth."

Edson is a six-month-old baby who lives in Guatemala. His best friend is his twin brother. For the first two months of their lives, their mother was able to breastfeed them. However, when she was diagnosed with a virus, she could no longer safely breastfeed her sons. Edson's mother bought the twins an initial supply of formula, but it is too expensive for her to continue buying it. Edson's limited diet has led to malnutrition. To stabilize his condition, Edson was given a preliminary supply of formula at our medical partner's care center, Clinic Miller. Now, the clinic's nutritionist is creating a formal nutritional treatment plan for Edson. Edson will begin malnutrition treatment on January 17. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is asking for $1,107 in funds to provide Edson with nutritious formula. The funds will also cover the cost of health education for Edson's mother. One-on-one motivational education will teach her how to identify signs of malnutrition and how to create a nutritious, inexpensive diet for Edson. “I hope my son recuperates and attains a normal height and weight,” says Edson's mother. With the formula, Edson’s immune system will strengthen, and he will grow to be a healthy, energetic baby!

Keila is a fifteen-month old girl from Guatemala. She is the youngest in a family of four children. Keila likes playing with toys and watching television. Her favorite food is pasta. Keila was born with several birth defects. She has already received funding from Watsi for [malnutrition](https://watsi.org/profile/5c42dda9c889-keila). Now, she needs treatment for hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain. On January 17, Keila will undergo a shunt insertion surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital Roosevelt. The procedure will drain the fluid from Keila's brain. Keila’s family wants her to get well but can’t afford her treatment. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is asking for $1,445 in funds to cover the cost of Keila's surgery, labs, medication, family lodging, and followup treatments. Keila's mother says, "My hope is for Keila to have a normal life, and for all the people who supported her to see that she was a success." Keila's mother is looking forward to seeing her daughter get back to eating pasta, watching television, and playing with her brother!

Lun is an 82-year-old man from Cambodia. He is married and has four children and eight grandchildren. He likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio, read books on Buddhism, and meditate at the pagoda. Recently, Lun developed cataracts in both eyes, causing blurred vision, tearing, cloudy lenses, and photophobia, an extreme sensitivity to light. He now has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing the faces of family and friends, and reading. He has also been unable to perform work around the house or go outside by himself. Lun heard about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, from a neighbor in his village who had surgery there before. Lun traveled with his grandson, reaching the center in hopes of receiving treatment. "I hope my eyes can see everything more clearly than now,” Lun says, “so that I can recognize the faces of everyone, read, and do any kind of work easily." Lun is scheduled to undergo cataract surgery on January 17. Our medical partner is requesting $292 to cover the cost of the operation, lens implants for each eye, and medication. After surgery, Lun will be able to see clearly again.

Jose is a nine-year-old boy who lives with his mother and older brother in rural Guatemala. Jose is in second grade and loves math. His teacher, Elena, has been particularly supportive of Jose and is a great inspiration to him. One day, he hopes to become a teacher like her. Jose’s mother is a single parent who works cleaning homes to provide for her two sons. Last June, Jose was in a bike crash. He hit his head and was hospitalized for seven days. Since then, he has been experiencing seizures. His family is very worried that his condition will worsen. With the help of our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, Jose is scheduled to begin treatment on February 6. He will receive a full diagnostic work-up, including labs, an MRI, and a consultation with our medical partner's physicians. Then, our medical partner's team will develop a personalized treatment plan to reduce the frequency and length of his seizures. His family needs help to pay for this $1,044 care. This treatment will allow Jose to return to school.

Zin Phyo is a four-year-old girl who was diagnosed with a neurogenic bladder. She lives with her parents, sister, brother, and grandmother. A few years ago, they moved to a town in which Zin Phyo’s father is a Muslim leader. Her mother cares for the household. Her brother is in fifth grade, and her sister studies the Quran from home. Zin Phyo was born with urinary dysfunction. Throughout her life, her family has managed her condition with traditional medicine. When she was two months old, she developed problems with her feet. She underwent casting, orthopedic surgery, and physical therapy to help her walk. Unfortunately, her parents spent all of their savings on these treatments. Recently, Zin Phyo’s family visited our medical partner’s hospital to seek treatment for her urinary condition. On November 7, she underwent an MRI to confirm her diagnosis. This test will allow her doctor to formulate a personalized treatment plan. Now, her family needs help to pay her $814 medical bill. "I grew up in clinics and hospitals,” says Zin Phyo, “and I want to be a doctor when I grow up.”

Uoy is seven years old and in the first grade. He has two brothers, and he likes to play games. Uoy has a type of congenital strabismus in both eyes called exotropia. This condition causes his eyes to turn outward. When Uoy's parents learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On November 1, doctors performed a corrective eye surgery. After recovery, Uoy's vision will improve. Now, his family needs help to fund this $264 procedure.

Azucena is a 12-month-old girl from Guatemala. Her parents cannot afford to give her the calories, protein, and nutrients she needs to grow. For this reason, she is only the size of a healthy six-month-old. She also experiences frequent gastrointestinal infections. She has been diagnosed with acute malnutrition. She has little energy to grow, and her immune system is weak and vulnerable to illness. She is also at risk of chronic disease and delayed development. Fortunately, Azucena began malnutrition treatment on November 24, 2016. Azucena loves to play with her doll and eat noodles. She lives with her family in a one-room adobe house with a tin roof. Her father works as a day laborer, harvesting crops on a local plantation. Her mother weaves traditional Mayan textiles. Unfortunately, their income is not sufficient to fund this $512 treatment. While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation will help Azucena recover. She will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children her age, and her immune system will grow stronger. Community health workers will teach her mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet from limited resources. Treatment will give Azucena a chance to grow healthy and strong. "I hope that I can learn something to improve my daughter's diet," says her mother.

Deyvin is a 22-month-old boy from Guatemala. His parents have had trouble affording foods rich in calories, protein, and nutrients. He has been diagnosed with acute malnutrition. This means he has little energy to grow, and his immune system is weak and vulnerable to illness. He is also at risk of chronic disease and delayed development. Fortunately, Deyvin began malnutrition treatment on November 24, 2016. Deyvin's favorite foods are eggs, black beans, and rice. He loves to play hide-and-seek with his cousin, Brenda. He lives with his family in a one-room adobe house with a tin roof. His father works as a day laborer on a bean plantation, but he cannot afford this $512 treatment. While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation will help Deyvin recover. He will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children his age, and his immune system will grow stronger. Community health workers will teach his mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet from limited resources. Treatment will give Deyvin a chance to grow healthy and strong. "I am appreciative of the support that you will give my son," says Deyvin's mother, "and I hope to learn many things about how to feed my son what he needs to grow."

Helio is a six-month-old boy from Guatemala. He is not growing, has little appetite, and is getting sick often. Despite his age, he is still the size of a healthy three-month-old. Helio has been diagnosed with acute malnutrition. This means he has little energy to grow, and his immune system is weak and vulnerable to illness. He is also at risk of chronic disease and delayed development. Fortunately, he began malnutrition treatment on November 24, 2016. Helio is a very affectionate baby. He enjoys playing with his little toy car and his older sister Damaris, and he loves eating bananas and refried beans. Helio lives with his family in a one-room house made of adobe. His father works as a day laborer on a local plantation. He is also the pastor in the local church and a leader in their village. Unfortunately, he cannot afford this $512 treatment. While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation will help Helio recover. He will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children his age, and his immune system will grow stronger. Community health workers will teach his mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet from limited resources. Treatment will give Helio a chance to grow healthy and strong.

Leonardo is a 23-month-old boy from Guatemala. He is frequently ill, and he has not learned many words. His mother is worried because he has not been growing as well as other children. Leonardo has been diagnosed with acute malnutrition. This means he has little energy to grow, and his immune system is weak and vulnerable to illness. He is also at risk of chronic disease and delayed development. Fortunately, he began malnutrition treatment on November 24, 2016. Leonardo and his family share a one-room adobe house with a tin roof. They live in a rural mountainous community in Guatemala. Leonardo loves to eat carrots and bananas. His mother works at home, cooking, cleaning, and collecting firewood. His father works as a day laborer on a local plantation. They cannot afford this $512 treatment. While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation will help Leonardo recover. He will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children his age, and his immune system will grow stronger. Community health workers will teach his mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet from limited resources. Treatment will give Leonardo a chance to grow healthy and strong. "We are so appreciative of the support, so our son can grow better," says Leonardo's mother. "I hope that in the future, he can become a professional and have better opportunities than we did."