Gay Gay is a young girl from Burma who lives with her parents, grandparents, and sister. Both her mother and father work as day laborers in their town. They have difficulty affording daily expenses. About four months ago, Gay Gay’s mother noticed a small growth on her abdomen under her right arm. Her parents were alarmed and decided to take her to a clinic in Thailand for assessment. Unfortunately, the physicians they met did not have the necessary equipment. Gay Gay's mother attempted to use traditional medicine, but the mass continued to grow. Gay Gay's appetite disappeared, and she became unable to sleep. She began to experience constant pain. Finally, Gay Gay's family traveled three hours to reach Watsi's medical partner. To gather more information about the tumor, Gay Gay underwent a $414 CT scan on November 15. The results of this scan will help her physician determine if the mass is cancerous. Let's support Gay Gay and her family so that they can take the next steps toward improving her health.

“I am not at ease seeing my son suffering," shares Joseph's mother. "His elder siblings keep on asking of his whereabouts and whether he will be well and I keep assuring them that he will because I am hopeful. I appreciate the work Watsi is doing and glad that they will help make my son’s life normal." When Joseph, the last-born in a Kenyan family with two sets of twins, was born in June, one the first things his parents were notified of was that their son’s head was larger than that of the average newborn. The doctor further investigated and confirmed what he had previously suspected- it was hydrocephalus, a condition that is not treated in their hospital. Hydrocephalus is a buildup of excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain at birth. The extra fluid can increase pressure in the baby's brain, causing brain damage and mental and physical problems. When Joseph was first diagnosed with hydrocephalus, he was referred for specialized treatment. However, his family could not afford the specialized treatment. The lack of funds did not stop his parents from seeing to it that their son gets the treatment he needs to live the life he ought to. Unfortunately, Joseph was found to have pneumonia and had to get treated for that first before having the surgery. The little savings his parents had were exhausted. Joseph is now ready for the surgery to help drain the excess fluid from his head. This surgery will cost $685, but Joseph's parents are not able to raise the funds needed. Joseph’s mother is a stay-at-home mom and takes care of the children, while his father is employed in a beauty products factory. With an income that can hardly sustain their basic needs, Joseph’s parents are not able to raise the funds required for his surgical care. Let's help make Joseph's treatment possible!

At 11 months old, Sandra is the youngest of 11 children. Her family lives in a one-room adobe house with a tin roof in a rural community in the mountains of Guatemala. Her mother works hard cooking and cleaning for the family. Her father wakes up before dawn every day to collect firewood to sell. Since the whole family has to survive on a couple of dollars per day, there is not enough money to go around to provide Sandra with even one egg, vegetable, or piece of fruit to eat each day. Sandra's mother noticed that Sandra was not growing as fast as the other kids, so she got worried and brought her to Clinic Panajachel for evaluation and treatment. Doctors determined that Sandra is severely malnourished, and her height and weight are far below normal for her age. Her immune system is weakened from inadequate calorie intake, making her more likely to get sick, and she has experienced frequent coughing and diarrhea. Dehydration from diarrhea can be life-threatening, so it is dangerous for her when she does get sick. Without medical intervention, Sandra could face permanent consequences such as a low IQ, difficulty focusing, and increased risk of chronic diseases. For $512, Sandra will receive growth monitoring, food supplementation, and deworming medication to help her gain weight and grow taller. Her mother will also receive intense nutrition education to ensure that Sandra is receiving the foods she needs to grow healthy and strong. Once Sandra's body is receiving adequate calories, she will have enough energy to play, her appetite will improve, and her immune system will become stronger, and she will have healthier mental development. "I hope that my daughter gains weight and can study," shares Sandra's mother.

“When Michael was born, his parents were overjoyed with the birth of their first child,” says our medical partner in Kenya, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Michael is now a two-year-old boy, and he requires medical attention for an undescended testicle. Three days after his birth, Michael was discovered to have Down syndrome. According to AMHF, “Michael’s mother was saddened when the doctors informed her that, because of this condition, Michael would need regular check-ups.” She was saddened because she knew she could not afford the ongoing medical care Michael would require. In addition to his diagnosis, shortly after his birth, Michael’s mother noticed that his right testicle had not descended into the scrotal sac. “If not treated,” states AMHF, “Michael’s condition may cause complications such as inguinal hernia, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future.” “Michael’s mother prays every day that Michael will be able to receive the care he needs,” says AMHF. “She stays at home with him, as he requires constant care. Their only source of income is from the cereals that Michael’s father sells in a market nearby. Both his parents want the best for their son.” For $540, Michael can receive a single orchidopexy—a surgical procedure in which doctors will place the undescended testicle in the scrotal sac, thereby eliminating the aforementioned risks. “We are praying to God every day that Michael will be able to receive the care he needs,” says Michaels’s mother, “so that in the future he may grow to be wise and successful. If anyone can help Michael, we would be deeply grateful.”