Dah is a 46-year-old woman who lives with her husband, one son, and two daughters in Karen State, Burma. Dah has been unable to work since 2015 due to her poor health. Her oldest son works as day laborer on someone else's farm and supports their family. Both of her daughters are currently studying at school. Four years ago, Dah started experiencing back pain and had difficulty walking or standing for long periods of time. She went to see the doctor in a Burmese hospital, where she was diagnosed with a kidney stone. At that time, she was unable to afford the cost of treatment. Eventually, she went to Mae Tao Clinic, our medical partner's care center, for further treatment and the doctor sent her to Mae Sot Hospital for further investigation. At the hospital she was again diagnosed with a kidney stone and was told she would require surgery to remove the stone. She was referred to Burma Children Medical Fund, our medical partner, for assistance in receiving treatment. Now, Dah is scheduled for a procedure called shockwave lithotripsy on March 8. She needs help raising $1,500 to pay for this treatment. Dah said, “I want to recover quickly so I can return to work. I want to be able to support my daughters so that they can continue with their studies.”

Gilbert is a baby from Kenya. His mother dropped out of her second year in high school, and her father is in his fourth year in high school. They therefore rely on Gilbert’s maternal grandparents. His grandparents are subsistence farmers without an external source of income. Gilbert has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Gilbert has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Gilbert will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to cover the cost of surgery for Gilbert that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 8 and will drain the excess fluid from Gilbert's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Gilbert will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. “I hope we can soon put all this behind us,” shares Gilbert’s grandfather.

Chheng Lim is a mother of five children from Cambodia. She is a rice farmer. She likes to spend time planting vegetables in her garden. For the last two years, she has been experiencing pain in her left hip. She has not been able to work and isn't able to help around the house. Fortunately, Chheng Lim learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Chheng Lim of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for January 8, and Chheng Lim needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. She says, "I want to work so I can help my husband and children support our family."

Lidetu is two years old and lives with his family in Ethiopia. He is a cute boy who loves to play and laugh with his mom and dad. His father supports the family as a farmer. Lidetu was born with an abnormal bowel condition. He has experienced discomfort and obstruction. His family visited our medical partner's care center and learned that he will need to have surgery. His surgery is scheduled for December 30. Now, they need help raising $1,500. His mother says, "The family is supported by my husband’s limited income, which is only enough for our daily maintenance. We always worry thinking about what his future looks like.” She continues, "We heard about this service from a social worker and we got here with a hope to get the treatment. And it is our hope to see our child as healthy as any other child getting the surgery."

Talusha is a student from Haiti. She lives with her parents, brothers, and sisters in a coastal town in northern Haiti. She is in the fourth grade and enjoys going to school, especially studying math and science. Talusha has a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect. A hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart. Blood leaks through the hole, leaving her weak and short of breath. Talusha will fly to Cayman Islands to receive treatment. On November 4, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will use a catheter to close the hole in her heart with a device. Another organization, Health City Cayman Islands, is contributing $12,000 to pay for surgery. Talusha'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 Talusha's family overseas. We are also fundraising for her [transportation costs](https://watsi.org/profile/a2d3bef5c7ed-talusha). She says, "I am excited to get to ride in a plane and see a new country!"

Ephrem is a five-year-old boy who lives with his parents and five siblings in Kenya. Ephrem was born with hypospadias, a condition in which the urethra opening is not on the tip of the penis. As a result of his condition, Ephrem cannot pee standing up and may face other complications in the future. Seeking treatment, Ephrem was brought to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), where doctors recommended that he receive surgery. Ephrem is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on June 20, and AMHF is requesting $1,231 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Ephrem's father said, “I can’t afford my child’s medical bill. The days that I don’t earn any income within the month are greater than the days I earn some. My wife has a small business and by what we get together we try to support our family.”

Juan is a 45-year-old father from Guatemala. He lives with his wife and three children, aged 12 to 16. Eight years ago, Juan lost his foot in an accident. As a result, he's had difficulty being able to work and support his family. On July 19, Juan will be fitted for a custom prosthetic foot 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 his prosthetic. Receiving this treatment will allow Juan to find a new job. "I am excited to finally be able to have a prosthetic," says Juan. "I hope to find a job and be able to support my family.”

Jimsel is a five-year-old boy from the Philippines. He lives with his parents and enjoys playing with his little brother. Jimsel was recently diagnosed with malnutrition, a condition that results from consuming too few calories, proteins, and nutrients. Beginning on June 28, Jimsel will receive at-home malnutrition treatment through our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). ICM will provide Jimsel with nutrient enriched food packs to help him gain weight and achieve optimum physical and mental development. The program will also teach his family about proper nutrition, sanitation, and organic gardening to better care for their son. ICM is requesting $173 to cover the cost of Jimsel's ongoing care. "I pray that my son will become healthy so he can finish his studies," says Jimsel's mother.

Meet Ismailine, a two-year-old girl from the Dominican Republic who loves to play with toys. Ismailine was born with a rare congenital heart condition called anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery, or ALCAPA for short. This means that one of the two main arteries in her heart emerges at an abnormal location. Because of this, the artery is not able to supply blood that contains enough oxygen. Although Ismailine is not Haitian, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is collaborating with their partners in the Dominican Republic to offer treatment to Dominican children. She will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center. First, Ismailine will undergo a full cardiac assessment on February 15. This assessment will include physical exams, labs, and an overnight stay at the hospital. Haiti Cardiac Alliance is requesting $1,500 to fund these procedures. Funding for Ismailine also covers the cost of medications and social support for her and her family. Gift of Life International is contributing $7,000 to cover additional costs associated with Ismailine's surgical care. Her mother says, "We would like to ask God to bless everyone who is helping Ismailine to get better."

Eimar is a one-year-old girl from Dominican Republic who has a talent for entertaining herself with any object. Sadly, Eimar was born with a cardiac condition in which a hole in the heart, which normally closes shortly after birth, remains open. This causes blood to leak through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her short of breath. Fortunately, Eimar will be receiving surgery from our medical partner's hospital, Hospital Pediatrico Robert Reid Cabral in Haiti, on May 22. Because she and her family live in Dominican Republic, $1,500 for overseas prep and transportation will need to be funded. Another organization, Gift of Life International, has already subsidized $4,500 of the cost. Eimar's parents look forward to her recovery. Her mother says, "My husband and I have been very afraid because of our daughter's heart condition and this surgery, but we are praying to God and are confident that everything will turn out well."

Mary is a 77-year-old woman from Kenya who loves reading. She has 13 children, all of whom have families. She is a student at an adult education school, and she wants to learn how to read the Bible and write her own signature. About two years ago, Mary discovered a lump in her left breast. After having several tests done, doctors concluded that the lump is cancerous and recommended a mastectomy. On April 18, Mary's doctors at our medical partner will perform a mastectomy to remove the cancer. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $816 to fund the procedure. Mary shares, “I want to see my grandchildren grow and to continue with my education.”

John is a 66-year-old farmer from Malawi. He lives with his wife. Together, they have ten children and twelve grandchildren. He works as a maize farmer and also keeps chickens. When not working, John likes to spend time at his church and with his friends. For the past three months John has been experiencing urinary dysfunction. He was diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia, a condition in which the prostate gland is enlarged and blocks the urethra, making it difficult to go to the restroom. On February 16, John will undergo a prostatectomy—a procedure in which part of the prostate is removed—at our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is asking for $733 to fund John's hospital stay, physician's fees, and medication. When told about the Watsi program, John and his family were overjoyed. "When I get better I can farm again and enjoy my time in church!" says John.