Meet Alba, a bright-eyed, one-year-old girl from Guatemala. She is the youngest of four children and is raised by her single mother. According to our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), a total of nine people live in Alba’s grandparents’ two-room house, where Alba “loves to play dolls with her two older sisters.” Alba is suffering from acute malnutrition. “Her weight and height are far below the average for her age, and she is at for the risk for long-term negative effects of malnutrition,” WK explains. “If left untreated, Alba will start to miss developmental milestones. She currently has low energy, and her body is struggling to grow and develop normally. Her immune system is weak, and she is at risk for infections, such as pneumonia. Later in life she will be at higher risk for chronic illness such as diabetes and hypertension.” Fortunately, we can give Alba the care she needs, as $535 in funding will cover the supplemental nutrition, medication and health education that will allow Alba to recoup her weight and weight. “The nutrition education will have long lasting effects, giving Alba’s mother the tools she needs to continue providing nutrition to Alba and her other siblings even after treatment is complete,” WK reports. In addition, Alba’s “immune system will strengthen, allowing her to better combat infections and illness throughout her life.” Alba's mother shares, “I want my daughter to grow up and become a lawyer. That’s my dream for her. She should help treat the injustice that exists in this society…fight for her children, and make a better life for them than we have now.”

Walfred is a baby boy who lives with his family in Guatemala. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), tells us, “When we visited Walfred at his house, he was suffering from chronic diarrhea and a cough. His mother knew he was not growing well and was extremely happy when we arrived because her neighbor had mentioned that we could be of help.” “When we weighed and measured Walfred, it became apparent that he is suffering from acute malnutrition," WK reports. "Walfred’s mom was embarrassed to tell us that she has been feeding him diluted powdered cow’s milk and sugar water. She told us that she didn’t know what else do when she realized she was unable to produce breast milk, and they didn’t have enough money to afford formula.” Walfred’s family does not have easy access to clean water, so not only is Walfred not receiving sufficient nutrients and antibodies, but he also has a parasitic infection. WK elaborates, “Walfred is the youngest of 10 children. His father is a sharecropper and does not own land. He has been worried about providing for his family for a long time, and is extremely happy to start working with us. Walfred’s siblings love him, and like to carry him on their backs while they do other chores around the house. The family is well known and respected in the community.” With $1,220 in funding, WK will provide nutrition education, formula supplementation, and deworming medication for Walfred and his mother. WK reports, “Treating lactation failure is easy and effective. Formula supplementation promotes normal physical and mental development and gives the child the chance to reach their full growth potential. Nutrition education provides the mother with the skills she needs to ensure her child’s healthy growth and development.” Walfred’s mother shares, “I am so thankful that you sought me out.” Let’s help Walfred regain his health and reach his developmental milestones!

Joseph is an eight-year-old boy from Ethiopia. His father is a small plot farmer and owns several goats, and tends to a garden to help support their family. Joseph has one brother and one sister at home. About 15 days ago, Joseph was electrocuted when he accidentally stepped on an open, live wire. “He received multiple burns, but the worst were on his feet and left arm,” our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us. “The family took him to a local clinic where his wounds were cleaned, but no thorough debridement (of dead tissue) was performed.” Joseph was diagnosed with osteomyelitis -- an infection of his left radius, which is protruding through his skin. If this continues to go untreated, “the bone will continue to be destroyed and the wound will remain infected.” “Eventually, Joseph will be unable to use the arm and it will become deformed if he does not receive treatment soon,” AMHF explains. “Untreated infection could possibly threaten his life.” For $535, we can fund surgery to help clean his wound and his bone, and to treat it with antibiotics to remove any infection. Joseph hopes to return to school again in the fall if he becomes well.

“I have been praying to God for this chance and am so glad the day has almost arrived!” shares Marc Wesley’s mother, filled with hope. Meet Marc Wesley, a one-year-old baby boy from Haiti! “Marc Wesley was born with a heart defect, in which holes exist between the upper and lower chambers of his heart, allowing blood to pass freely through all four chambers,” explains our medical partner, Haidi Cardiac Alliance (HCA). “This leads to heart failure and deprives the body of oxygen and if untreated, would be fatal.” Marc Wesley in the first born to his mother and father, and is cared for by his grandmother during the day while his parents work. “He is a happy baby who likes sweets and dances to music,” describes HCA. $1,500 will fund the surgery to repair the defect in Marc Wesley’s heart. “Following surgery," his doctor's say, "normal blood flow should be restored to the child’s heart and he should be able to lead a normal life without cardiac symptoms."

Say hi to Phillippe, a one-year-old boy from Haiti! According to our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), “Phillippe is his mother’s first child, and is very popular with his cousins, aunts, and uncles. He learned to take his first steps and is now trying to walk everywhere he can, holding on to furniture as he goes. He is a very sweet and curious child.” Unfortunately, “Phillippe was born with a condition called patent ductus arteriosus, in which a hole that is normally present in the heart of a developing fetus fails to close after birth. As a result, blood can flow through this hole without passing through the lungs to get oxygen, stunting his development and making him weak and sickly,” explains HCA. For $1,500, Phillippe will receive surgery to completely close the hole in his heart, and he will no longer experience any symptoms from his condition. “It’s a dream come true for us that Phillippe can get better!” says his mother. Let’s help Phillippe get healthy!

Meet Mustafe, a four-year-old boy from Somaliland. Mustafe was born with club feet, which makes it difficult for him to walk. Because of his feet, Mustafe falls over and hurts himself often. He struggles to keep up with his peers, and is unable to play games with other children. For $1,184, we can fund bilateral club foot repair surgery and follow-up care for Mustafe. After the surgery, our medical partners at Edna Adan Hospital anticipate Mustafe’s mobility will greatly improve. Let’s help Mustafe realize his hopes of joining in games with other children as he grows into a young man!

Say hello to Shailande, a 20-day-old baby from Haiti who was born with a condition called an omphalocele, a birth defect in which the infant's intestine or other abdominal organs stick out of the belly button. “There is no skin covering part of her abdomen, which needs to be closed by surgery. Her intestine remains outside of her abdomen and her navel has become infected, causing her to experience abdominal pains,” explains our medical partner, Project Medishare. Shailande is the youngest of four children. Her mother sells food, and her father is only able to do random jobs in their zone of Cite Soleil, one of the poorest and most dangerous areas in Haiti. With their combined income, affording medical treatment is not possible. For $1,500, Shailande can finally have the surgery necessary to close her abdomen in addition to the antibiotics that can heal her infection. “I am excited to see the deformation gone and see my baby’s belly healed,” says Shailande’s mother. Let's make it happen for them!

“I want to be healed so that I can help my parents on the farm. That way, they can grow more crops to feed us,” says Zefaniya, an eight-year-old from Malawi. Zefaniya is in his third year of primary school. He loves helping his parents, who are both small-scale farmers. According to our medical partner World Altering Medicine, “Zefaniya was diagnosed with a hernia, which means that one of his organs is protruding through the tissue that holds it in place.” The condition is associated with swelling, pain, and discomfort, all of which he is currently experiencing. With their income, Zefaniya’s parents cannot afford to pay the $615 required for their son’s surgery, medications, and hospital stay. Together, however, we can raise the funds needed to ensure a better future for him.

Meet Joshua, a baby boy from Uganda. Joshua, who lives with his parents and twin sister, Anovias, is malnourished. “Joshua is suffering from malnutrition and as a result is very feverish and has a severe cough with a lowered immune system,” shares our medical partner, the Kellermann Foundation. “He also has a decreased appetite and is showing severe signs of underdevelopment. It is very difficult for Joshua’s parents to cover the cost of treatment. His parents also wish for a better future for their children and hope they will do great things with their education.” $375 covers the cost of nutritional supplements for Joshua and additional resources for his parents. “With treatment, Joshua will regain his strength and health,” says the Kellermann Foundation. “Joshua will live to be able to go to school with his sister and make his parents proud.”

“I pray for a successful treatment so that my daughter can walk like other children,” said Muokolewa’s mother. Meet Muokolewa, a three-month-old baby girl from Tanzania who was born with bilateral clubfoot. “Muokolewa will not be able to walk [normally] when she starts walking and she will also have an increased risk of developing early osteoarthritis of the small bones if not treated,” says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. Muokolewa is a happy, healthy baby. As the fourth born child in her family, her mother shares with us that “she is very comfortable being carried by anyone!” Muokolewa’s mother is a small scale farmer, but at the moment caring for Muokolewa is her full time job. Unable to afford treatment, she sought out African Mission Healthcare Foundation in order to help Muokolewa receive the care she needs. In order to correct Muokolewa’s gait, she will need x-rays, casts, clubfoot surgery, and recovery treatment. $1,160 will cover the cost of Muokolewa’s treatment, ensuring she will grow up strong, walking normally, and enjoying activities like all of the other children in her town!

Miraa is a one-year-old boy living with his parents and two older siblings in Tanzania. His father tends to a few cattle and works as a shop keeper, while his mother takes care of the family at home. Our partners at African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF) tell us, “Miraa is a quiet and very shy boy. He likes being close to his mother. In the afternoon when the sun is shining and his mother is relaxing in the sun with the other mothers, he likes to sit a short distance from his mother playing with other children.” Miraa was born with unilateral club foot. Club foot is a congenital condition in which the foot appears to have been rotated inward at the ankle. AMHF explains, “His left foot deformity will affect his gait if not treated, and Miraa will also have an increased risk of developing early osteoarthritis of the small bones.” “Miraa is my only son and I want him to be able to herd his father’s cattle when he grows up and be like other boys; walk and run properly,” Miraa’s mother tell us. For $1,160 we can fund the treatment to correct Miraa's club foot so he can walk normally for the rest of his life. Let's do it!

Meet Muli! Muli is a 73-year-old married man with five children. He and his wife own a small piece of land in Kenya; their son helps them plant vegetables for their own needs and to sell in a local market. One of Muli's children is a security guard, and the rest are casual workers; they all have their own families to care for. For almost ten years, Muli has been unable to see through his left eye. Muli's right eye is also slowly developing cataract. Without surgery, he may not be able to see through his left eye again. "When I lost sight on my left eye, I was okay because I could still use the other eye," Muli explained. "But now that I am slowly losing sight in the right eye, I was afraid that I would have to fully depend on my family for everything." For $230, we can fund Muli's surgery so he can regain his eyesight!