Thaw is an 18-year-old student from Burma. Thaw is in the 11th grade and hopes to one day become a building engineer. His favorite pastime is playing football. "In November 2010, Thaw and his mother noticed signs that he was not healthy," shares our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). His symptoms, often exacerbated by playing football, included shortness of breath and tiredness on exertion. After being diagnosed with a heart condition by a local clinic, he and his mother traveled to a specialist who told Thaw that he would require cardiac surgery for his condition. BBP tells us, "Thaw is suffering from lethargy, back pain, abdominal and chest pain, and sometimes has difficulty breathing. Sometimes when he is unwell with fever, his lips and fingertips turn a little blue." Due to Thaw's condition, he is no longer able to go to school. Thaw lives in Burma with his mother, aunt, and grandfather. Their combined income is just enough to cover the cost of food. $1,500 will cover the cost of complex cardiac surgery for Thaw's congenital heart valve defects. Burma Children Medical Fund has contributed $13,525 towards his treatment cost. "I hope I can get help with my problems so I can continue my studies in the future," says Thaw.

Meet four-year-old Samryll Ian from the Philippines. He dreams of one day becoming an engineer. Samryll Ian's mother is a saleswoman and his father is a fisherman. "Samryll is a shy boy but loves to play with his siblings," shares our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). Samryll Ian has an anorectal malformation, a defect in the opening at the end of the large intestine through which stool passes. ICM shares, "He tends to be alone and not mingle with other children. Although he does not fully understand his condition, he is still positive that he could be well someday." Because his mother and father's job does not provide the family with a fixed income, the family cannot afford to fund treatment for his condition. For $965, Samryll Ian can receive treatment that will allow him to pass stool normally again. After treatment, "Samryll will have the confidence to play with the other children and pursue his dream to become an engineer," explains ICM. His mother adds, "We want to see him grow normally like any other kids in his school, so that he can fulfill his dreams in the future and help our family go out of poverty."

Meet Rosie, a 35-year-old woman from the Philippines. Rosie enjoys cooking and singing, and often sings at weddings and funerals. Our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM), says, “Rosie loves to work together with her husband who is a gospel minister and she loves to serve people.” Due to a mass on her right breast, “Rosie occasionally experiences muscle pain on the entire right side of her shoulder, chest, and back, which requires her to rest a minimum of two hours throughout the day,” ICM reports. “It is a discomfort since there is additional itching at the site of the mass and under her right upper arm; these symptoms bother her as it causes her lack of sleep, which makes her very tired for the next day’s tasks.” Rosie needs a lumpectomy to remove the mass on her breast. This procedure costs $612, and will remove all abnormal tissue form her breast. ICM says, “The treatment will give Rosie the freedom to do what she wants, especially in serving the church and the community as a whole. “ ICM adds, “Rosie is looking forward to being free of pain and discomfort so she can perform her best as a mother and a wife.” "I am looking forward to being free of this condition I have," Rosie shares. "I know that without it I can serve my family and our church at my full capacity.”

"As Miriam continues to grow, so does the cyst on her left mandible," shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Four-year-old Miriam is a "cute, four-year-old girl. She is the second born in a family of three children. She likes to play with dolls and running around with other children," AMHF shares. The cyst in Miriam's mouth started to be noticeable when she was two months old, and it keeps increasing in size with time. Miriam’s parents are worried what will happen if the cyst will continue to grow. They are small scale farmers, relying on growing and selling maize, beans and some vegetables. With three children going to school, it has been difficult to raise enough cash to cover the cost of operation which Miriam needs. $920 will fund the mass excision surgery Miriam needs. "If not treated, the cyst will continue to get bigger and that will lead to a bigger cosmetic and functional deformity and a larger reconstructive challenge," AMHF adds. "Furthermore, Miriam will lose her teeth and thus affecting her nutrition." Let's help Miriam get healthy, and grow up without pain.

Kimberly is a one-year-old baby girl who lives with her parents in Guatemala. Kimberly is acutely malnourished, meaning that her diet doesn’t contain the nutrients she needs to build a strong immune system or feel energetic and alert. Acute malnutrition also has serious long-term effects if not treated. “Over time mental and physical development is stunted, thus leading to developmental delays and preventing Kimberly from reaching her full potential,” explains our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). “She will also be at increased risk of chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes.” Kimberly’s mother is eager for her daughter to get better and tells WK, “I want to see my daughter grow up to be a teacher.” Although she says that her daughter has started eating solid food, “Kimberly’s appetite is low and she has not transitioned from exclusively breastfeeding to solid food very well.” Kimberly’s mother is eight months pregnant with her second child and hopes intervention can occur soon so that she can be fully present for Kimberly’s treatment. “Once the baby is born, more stresses (both time and economic) will be placed on Kimberly’s mother, and limit her ability to give Kimberly the attention and resources she needs to thrive,” WK explains. Due to these circumstances, Kimberly needs medical attention as soon as possible. With $535 in Watsi funding, Kimberly will receive micronutrient and food supplementation to improve her health and bolster her immune system. Kimberly’s mother will receive the resources and intensive nutrition education she needs to make healthy decisions about what to feed Kimberly, as well as her baby on the way. According to WK, with this regimen in place, “Kimberly will begin to recoup the height and weight she has lost, and over time her energy and ability to concentrate will improve.” They continue, “With treatment, we anticipate Kimberly will have the ability to go far.”

Meet Genesis, a one-year old girl from Guatemala. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK) tells us, “Genesis loves the wildflowers that grow around her house. She enjoys picking the flowers to give as gifts to her mother.” At an important point in her early childhood development, Genesis’ growth has been stunted due to acute pediatric malnutrition. WK reports, “Genesis’ height and weight were far below average, and her parents are extremely worried—Genesis’ condition restricts her ability to grow physically and mentally.” Acute malnutrition is a condition in which the body does not intake as many nutrients as it needs to be healthy. The problems caused by this imbalance become more pronounced throughout childhood growth—WK explains, “Genesis is hitting developmental milestones months behind an average child her age.” If left untreated, malnutrition can affect Genesis’ immune system and cause low energy levels. In addition to health-related concerns, Genesis’ relatively slow growth could make schooling difficult, possibly limiting her opportunities later in life. With $535, Genesis will undergo treatment for her acute malnutrition. Over a three-month period, essential nutrients will be gradually introduced into her diet through micronutrient food supplements. This will be done in slow, graduated amounts to allow her body to readjust to the changes. As part of her treatment, WK shares that Genesis will receive “de-worming medication needed for her to increase her overall caloric intake.” To fully address the issue, both of Genesis’ parents will receive intensive training on the causes of malnutrition and how to prevent it in the future. WK expects the course to “build their confidence and improve their ability to care for Genesis throughout her childhood.” “I just want to see her smile," shares Genesis’ mother. "I want to see her run around the house again, and have the energy to play with her toys. I love her so much.”

“Jawadu is a charming boy,” says his grandmother. “He interacts with fellow kids although being blind and is very intelligent.” Four-year-old Jawadu lives in Malawi. He has hydrocephalus, a condition in which there is an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, explains, “Jawadu is a healthy boy but due to the condition he is blind, cannot sit, walk and finds difficulties in speech coordination." Jawadu’s grandmother, who cares for him, farms rice and does not earn enough money to pay for the surgery that Jawadu needs. $992 covers the cost of surgery to drain the excess fluid from Jawadu’s brain as well as food, travel, and lodging for him and his grandmother pre- and post-surgery. Jawadu’s grandmother hopes that her grandson will regain his sight after treatment so that he can return to school. Let’s help make that happen!

"Josphat is two months old and the last-born in a family of five children," says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "His family lives in a one-room rental house in the coastal region of Kenya. Josphat's father works as a casual laborer doing odd jobs for their neighbors while his mother is a housewife." Josphat was born with spina bifida -- an open mass swelling on his lower back. His skin is discolored around the mass and he is likely to "develop infection as well as develop tethered cord" if left untreated, says AMHF. This can lead to complications down the line, including scoliosis and kyphosis. Josphat needs a spina bifida closure to treat the mass. The surgery will cost $805. “My joy is to see my son grow normally as his siblings. When we leave the hospital and he old enough, I will also start working to help my husband provide for our family," Josphat's mother shares.

Meet Fidelis, an 18-year-old student who lives with his single mother and two younger siblings in Kenya. “I play football in my free time, and also work hard in class to achieve my dream career of becoming an electrical engineer," Fidelis tells us. Fidelis is very bright, but experiences low self esteem because he has hypospadius, a medical condition in which his urethral opening is along the shaft of his penis. This causes him difficulty when passing urine. Fidelis needs a hypospadius repair -- a relatively simple, 90 minute procedure to fix the opening. The surgery will cost $655. His mother works on farms as a casual laborer, and her $3 daily income is barely enough to provide the necessities for her family. She is therefore not able to save for her son’s surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation explains: “If the surgery is not done soon, the condition is likely to affect Fidelis psycho-socially. He will also have difficulty fathering children in future.” Let's help Fidelis and fund his treatment!

Meet Nancy, a four-month-old girl from Tanzania! Nancy has a congenital deformity on her left foot, also known as a clubfoot. “If not treated, the condition will affect Nancy’s gait and she will likely develop osteoarthritis of the small bones at an early age,” reports our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Nancy is the first-born child to her parents and she likes to play with her toys. “Nancy also has congenital deformities of both hands and her right foot. She was born without all ten fingers and without toes on her right foot. Her mother is a medical attendant at a dispensary in their village and her father is a secondary school teacher. Their income is not enough to cover their house rent, daily expenses, and also pay the cost of treatment which Nancy needs,” continues AMHF. “Maybe there isn’t much that can be done for Nancy’s hands, but at least the position of her left foot can be corrected to allow her to walk properly when she grows up and that is all I wish for,” says Nancy’s mother. For $1160, we can correct Nancy’s gait and prevent onset osteoarthritis. AMHF concludes, “Nancy will not have to use the lateral aspect of her left foot when she starts to walk and the correction will reduce the risk of developing early osteoarthritis.”

“When I asked the doctor what he could do for my baby he said that he could not do anything for us,” explains Woodley’s mother. “No matter what, I love my baby.” One-year-old Woodley was born with a cleft lip and palate. The youngest of four children, Woodley and his siblings live with their mother and father in Haiti. Woodley’s father works as a policeman and his mother is a local vendor. They are able to meet their family’s basic needs with their income, but cannot afford the surgery required to correct Woodley’s cleft lip and palate. “Woodley has difficulties to take the breast and eat, and he is experiencing ruining nose, flu and sometimes he has fever,” report our partners at Project Medishare. If surgery is performed, the Project Medishare team explains, “Woodley will have a normal face and be able to take the breast, so that he can eat and drink normally. This will change the situation of the family, and he will not have to experience discrimination because of his deformation.” For $960 we can help fund the cleft lip and palate repair surgery Woodley’s parents wish for their young son. Let’s help Woodley grow up with the ability to receive proper nutrition and to experience life in public, free from discrimination or stigma!

"I am glad that I have finally found a place for my son’s treatment. I look forward to a successful surgery, and am thankful for any support towards my son’s treatment,” says the mother of Boniface, a five-month-old baby boy living in Kenya. Boniface has spina bifida, a mass on his lower back from improper formation of the spine. Boniface is supported by his mother and grandparents, but they have been unable to raise the money necessary for his treatment. If left untreated, Boniface is likely to get an infection or develop tethered cord, which will limit the movement of his spinal cord. With $805, our medical partner African Mission Healthcare Foundation will be able to provide Boniface with spina bifida closure surgery, which will prevent infection and development of tethered cord. Together we can make it happen!