Shabani is a 3-year-old child from Tanzania. Shabani is the youngest in a family of three children. He is a cheerful and happy boy despite his leg condition, which makes things difficult for him. Shabani’s father is a local fisherman who makes a small amount of income to support their family. Shabani was diagnosed with left genu varus, or bowleggedness. This condition causes his leg to be bowed inward at the knee. It is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he has a difficult time walking around normally. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Shabani. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 5th. Treatment will hopefully restore Shabani's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Shabani’s father shared, “We are not happy to see our son suffer this way. Hospitals have become very expensive and we are unable to afford the cost. Please help support our child.”

Rebecca is a 1-year-old girl from Tanzania. She is the last born in a family of two children and has started to grow into a strong and beautiful girl. Both of her parents depend on small scale farming to support their family. Rebecca was initially brought to the hospital by her parents seeking treatment to help correct her spina bifida condition. Spina bifida is a birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord fail to form properly. This puts a child in danger of limb paralyses or death in case of a severe infection. At the time, Rebecca's parents could not afford the proposed surgery. Luckily, one of their friends advised them to seek help at our medical partner's care center, ALMC Plaster House. Through Watsi funding, Rebecca’s life was saved and she has been growing well since then. However, a few weeks ago, Rebecca's mother noticed her daughter's head was increasing in size at a very fast rate and she was complaining of headaches. Her parents had worked hard to save some money and got a health insurance card for their baby, so they decided to take her to the hospital to seek treatment. There, Rebecca was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. She needs to have an ETV surgery that will help relieve her of the pressure build-up, which would otherwise lead to brain damage. Unfortunately, their insurance has not matured enough to cover this kind of major surgery, so Rebecca's parents are appealing for financial support to help her. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,300 to cover the cost of surgery for Rebecca that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 25th and will drain the excess fluid from Rebecca's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Rebecca will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Rebecca’s mother shared, “My daughter’s head is increasing in size and it is making her sick. She needs surgery but the insurance we got for her cannot cover the cost. Please help once more if it is possible because we don’t know where to run to for help besides all of you.”

Jonah is a 9-year-old student from Kenya. He is a jovial and high-spirited boy. Jonah is the seventh born in a family of eight children. Under the sponsorship of a well-wisher, he is a second grade student at Mwiteria Vision Academy. Jonah's family hails from Iteria Village in Meru County. His mother is a single parent who used to be a farmer, but now stays at home to take care of her children. She recently underwent an amputation on her leg after suffering from diabetes. Jonah has clubfoot, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even with wearing shoes. His mother, sister, and elder brother brought him to AIC Hospital's mobile clinic in Meru to seek treatment. Watsi donors supported surgery for his left foot and now his family has returned to help heal is right foot as well. Jonah will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. Fortunately, he is scheduled to under go a clubfoot repair surgery on January 25th. African Mission Healthcare Foundation is requesting $1,286 to fund Jonah's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk and play easily again. Rosaria, Jonah's mother shared, “We are grateful for helping my two sons undergo surgery. We have seen a lot of impact on their feet. Previously, they used to complain of pain while walking and they like playing a lot. We plead for more support to ensure that their feet can be able to step on the ground and walk like other children. God bless you."

Sinuon is a bright 9-year-old girl. She has one younger brother, who is 6 years old and in grade one. Her mother works as a factory worker, while her father is a construction worker. In Sinuon's free time, she likes to read books, do homework from school, play with toys with her brother, watch TV and go outside with her parents. Sinuon has a condition called congenital torticollis, where she was born with a strained neck position due to a tight, short neck muscle. Doctors are not sure why children are born with this condition, but it is not an uncommon one. Sinuon's family was referred to Children's Surgical Centre by other non-governmental hospital staff who recognized that she needed specialty care. Currently, Sinuon is unable to move her neck significantly, and the appearance of her neck makes her feel more self-conscious. Fortunately, Sinuon is scheduled to undergo a contracture release surgery on her neck on February 2nd. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $454 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, she will be able to move her neck more freely and feel more comfortable with her appearance. Sinuon shared, "I hope that I will feel better and have more easy movement of my neck after surgery."

Oeun is a 76-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. Oeun has three sons, six daughters, and 20 grandchildren. Her husband passed away from tuberculosis two years ago, so Oeun lives with her youngest daughter. She enjoys listening to the monks praying at the pagoda or on the radio. Two years ago, Oeun developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision, tearing, and photophobia. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Oeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four hours with her daughter seeking treatment. On October 19th, doctors will perform phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Oeun said, "I hope I can see everything after my surgery well so I can get back to my farming and taking care of my grandchildren. I would like to travel to the pagoda on my own once my vision is clear."

Krim is a 58-year-old retired blacksmith from Cambodia. He cannot see well so does not work anymore. He has one daughter and two sons, and lives with his sister and daughter. Two years ago, Krim developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Krim learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for across the country for seven hours with his daughter seeking treatment. On December 24th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Krim said, "I hope after surgery I can see better so I can go outside by myself and see things well. I want to become a herdsman."

Elizabeth is a three-year-old girl from rural Uganda. She has severe malaria, along with anemia and severe dehydration. She is very weak and has difficulty supporting herself. Elizabeth lives with her grandmother, Anne, who takes care of eight grandchildren. She took Elizabeth to our medical partner's care center, Bwindi Community Hospital. Elizabeth will begin malaria treatment, which includes a hospital stay, antimalarial medication, antibiotics, and an IV, on December 28. This care will help her regain her health and recover. Anne is a farmer who grows tomatoes, rice, and sweet potatoes. She grows food to feed the family and sells the surplus to pay for her grandchildren's tuition. She needs help to fund this $120 treatment. Anne hopes that when Elizabeth recovers, she will go to school. "I want to thank the hospital for the warm welcome and the Watsi program for the support toward the care for my granddaughter," she says. "How I wish my grandchildren can also grow up and support other needy people in my community."

Aron is a 21-month-old boy from Tanzania. He is the oldest child in his family. One day, Aron's parents noticed that he was in pain. He began to vomit after eating. He was taken to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with an umbilical hernia, a swelling near his navel. Aron's family was advised to visit our medical partner's hospital, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC). Without treatment, he was at risk of intestinal damage. Fortunately, on January 2, ALMC surgeons performed a hernia repair procedure. Aron's parents operate a small business to earn a living. Their income, however, is not sufficient to pay for Aron's surgery. They need help to raise $610. "My wish is that my son will be able to eat well without feeling sick or vomiting," says Aron's mother.

Phanith is 15 years old and in the ninth grade. She has two brothers and two sisters. She likes to read her school books, cook for her family, and go on Facebook. In November of 2016, Phanith's foot was caught in a motorbike. She sustained a fracture in her right tibia and an open wound on her right heel. She went to a nearby hospital, where surgeons performed an open reduction internal fixation procedure to heal her fracture. However, her open wound soon grew infected. It became difficult for her to walk, and she was in pain. In December of 2016, Phanith visited our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), where surgeons performed a debridement procedure on her right heel to remove the damaged and infected tissue. Surgeons performed a follow-up debridement procedure on the same heel later in the month. Recently, Phanith returned to CSC for further treatment. On December 28, surgeons at CSC performed a skin graft procedure on Phanith's right heel to transplant skin over her wound. After recovery, Phanith should be able to walk easily again. CSC is requesting $450 to fund this treatment.

Birungi is a three-year-old girl from Uganda. She has one sibling. Her parents do not have a stable source of income. In 2014, Birungi developed a painful swelling in her upper abdomen. Over time, the swelling progressively increased in size. She felt pain when she ate or coughed. One year ago, Birungi was taken to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with a supraumbilical hernia. Her parents could not afford to pay for treatment. When Birungi's mother learned about Watsi, she brought her daughter to our medical partner's care center, Holy Family Virika Hospital. On November 23, Birungi underwent a hernia repair surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $249 to fund this procedure. Birungi’s mother hopes that she will grow up healthy.