Sigalawo is a father of four from Malawi. He lives with his wife and family and works on the family farm. Since 2016, Sigalawo has had a right inguinal hernia. He has experienced swelling on the right side for the past three years, along with a recent increase in pain that has stopped him from being able to work. Fortunately, on May 28, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $334 to fund Sigalawo's surgery. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and six nights of hospital stay. He is very happy about getting surgery to fix the problem. He says, "I am looking forward to being more healthy as I was before. Thanks to this project and best wishes for continuity."

Kerhi is a student from Haiti. He lives with his parents and two brothers in Gonaives, a city on the west coast of Haiti. His father is a bus driver, and his mother works in the market. He is in the fifth grade and enjoys math and science. Kerhi has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A blood vessel between the pulmonary artery and the aorta that normally closes soon after birth instead remains open. Blood flows through it, bypassing the lungs and depriving the body of the oxygen it needs. Kerhi underwent a surgery two years ago to tie off the duct, but unfortunately the defect has re-opened; he will now undergo a different type of procedure called cardiac catheterization to close it in a way that makes it very unlikely to ever reopen again. Kerhi will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On May 2, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will use a device attached to the tip of a catheter to block the leaking duct. Another organization, Gift of Life New York, is contributing $6,000 to pay for surgery. Kerhi'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 Kerhi's family overseas. He says, "I am excited to fly on a plane for the first time and visit a new country!"

Nenglanget is a young girl from Tanzania. She is being raised by her mother and grandmother, who work as farmers. Nenglanget's lower leg was accidentally burned by a cooking fire. She was rushed to the hospital and had her wounds treated. Unfortunately, her wounds developed repeated infections. Now, she can no longer walk. Nenglanget needs to undergo an amputation surgery so that she will be able to use a prosthetic leg and have a chance to walk again. Surgery is scheduled for March 5 and will cost $1,035. Nenglanget’s grandmother says, “Please help my granddaughter she can no longer walk due her leg being deformed from the fire.”

Maurine is a toddler from Tanzania. She is the youngest in a family of three children. In 2017, Maurine was burned by a boiling pot of water. Now, she is not able to move her arm and shoulder. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Maurine receive treatment. On March 5, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help her use her arm again. Now, she needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Maurine’s mother says, “I will be really grateful if my daughter can be able to get finding for her surgery which am unable to raise.”

Aleaza is a toddler from Haiti. She lives in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince with her mother and grandparents, and likes listening to music and playing with blocks. Aleaza was born with a condition called ventricular septal defect, in which a hole exists between two chambers of her heart. Blood flows through this hole without first passing through her lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her sick and short of breath. To correct this condition, she will undergo open-heart surgery and a patch will be sewn into place to close the hole. Aleaza will fly to Spain to receive treatment. On February 6, she will undergo cardiac surgery. Another organization, Chain of Hope UK, is contributing $25,000 to pay for surgery. Aleaza'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 Aleaza's family overseas. Her mother says, "My daughter has been very sick ever since she was born, and I am excited that her heart can finally be healed!"

Resrida is a student from Tanzania. Her parents are farmers. Resrida has clubfoot of her right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Resrida traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on January 4. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Resrida's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk and work. Resrida says, “If am able to get treatment of my foot I will be able to work without any limitations because of my foot and be able to follow my dream of owning a business."

Jane is a baby from Kenya. She is the youngest of three children. Jane has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Jane has been experiencing irritability and she is at risk of brain damage. Without treatment, Jane will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to cover the cost of surgery for Jane that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on November 30 and will drain the excess fluid from Jane's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Jane will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. “I am glad that God has come in through Watsi,” says Jane’s mother.

Musa is a boy from Tanzania. He is the third in a family of four children. At just one year of age, Musa sustained severe burns on his left foot when a small kerosene lamp fell on his feet. He later developed contractures that significantly limited his function. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Musa receive treatment. On November 2, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him use his left foot. Now, his family needs help to fund this $832 procedure. His father says, “Help my son please we have no means of coming up with the surgical costs.”

Glen is a baby from Kenya. He is the youngest in a family of three children. His 20-year-old mother is a housewife, while his father is a motorcycle taxi rider. They live in their ancestral land. Glen has hydrocephalus, a condition characterized by increased head size and sunken eyes. He received previous treatment, but the procedure was not successful. If not treated again, Glen will be at risk of neurological damage due to the pressure in his brain. Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo brain surgery on September 14. Now, his family needs help raising $634 to fund the procedure. Glen’s mother says, “My hope is to see my child treated and lead a normal life. It is my prayer."

Aye is is a mother of eight children from Burma. She and her husband work as a day laborers and generate income for the family. Aye first noticed her symptoms when she was only 15 years old. At that time, she was combing her hair and felt a small growth on her head. Three years ago, she noticed that the growth was gradually increasing in size. She now experiences severe headaches. Aye sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. She is now scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery of the benign tumor on August 28. She is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Aye said, "I feel worried but I just keep smiling."

Ya is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She has an older brother and an older sister. She likes to watch TV, cook, and spend time at home. One year ago, Ya had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her left ear to perforate. For this reason, Ya experiences itchiness and hearing loss. She cannot hear well. Ya traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On August 1, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $423 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. She says, "I hope I will have good hearing and my ear will heal soon."

Kar is an eight-month-old baby boy from Burma. He was born three months prematurely in Bangkok, where his parents used to work previously. When he was seven months old, his parents moved back with him to Burma. Kar was recently diagnosed with hydrocephalus, which has caused fluid to build up in his brain. Without immediate surgery to alleviate the intracranial pressure that the excess fluid is causing, he is at risk of developing severe, potentially fatal medical complications. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund the insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for Kar, which will drain the fluid that has accumulated in his brain. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 22, and, once completed, will greatly improve Kar's quality of life.