“Paulina is a cute, two-month-old baby girl,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). The fourth child in her family, Paulina lives with her parents and siblings on their small farm in Tanzania. Paulina was born with a lesion on her back due to a condition called myelomeningocele--a form of spina bifida that occurs when a baby’s spinal cord improperly develops prior to birth. AMHF explains, “Paulina has a lesion on her lower back, which can easily burst and [leak] cerebrospinal fluid which, if untreated, can lead to other big health problems.” Shortly following her at-home delivery, Paulina and her mother were taken to the hospital, where Paulina’s mother was advised to take her daughter to a bigger hospital for back closure. Both of Paulina’s parents are small-scale farmers. As AMHF states, “They did not harvest well the last two seasons so their financial situation is currently not good. They need financial support so that their daughter can have surgery done.” With $1,200 in Watsi funding, Paulina can undergo surgery to treat her spinal cord defect. The opening on her back will be closed, preventing her from losing cerebrospinal fluid and easily contracting infection. “My hope is for my daughter to get well, continue with normal growth, and later on, go to school and live an independent life,” Paulina’s mother says.

Meet Petna, a quiet, four-year-old girl from Tanzania. “Petna is the second born in a family of three children. She used to be very active and enjoyed playing hide and seek,” says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). However, due to a lumbar spine tumor on her lower back, Petna has not been able to play or sleep on her back for some time. According to AMHF, last year Petna's mother "noticed a small swelling on her daughter’s lower back.” This swelling continued to grow until this September, when Petna was taken to a local hospital and underwent surgery to remove the tumor. Unfortunately, the tumor was not completely removed "and the swelling is back to a big size and it is also infected,” reports AMHF. If not properly treated, Petna will continue to be in pain and face the risk of the swelling bursting, which can cause even more serious complications. Petna’s parents are young and rely on livestock keeping for income. It is difficult for them to come up with $920 for Petna’s operation. With help from Watsi’s donors, however, Petna can receive another operation to properly remove her tumor. She will no longer experience pain or face or other complications down the line. “I feel sorry for my granddaughter because she is in pain all the time,” says Petna’s grandmother. “I long to see her happy again, actively playing with other children.”

"Hannah had an accident when she fell at her homestead and since she lives alone, she remained in that position for three days," says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). 74-year-old Hannah is a widow from Kenya who lives and works on a small farm. After she fell, her neighbors found her and took her to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with a fractured femur. "Hannah could not even afford to pay for transport to the hospital. She simply cannot afford to pay for the cost of this treatment that she desperately needs," says AMHF. Treatment for Hannah's fracture will cost $1,125, and is vital for Hannah's ability to walk and care for herself. This treatment will include surgery to repair the fracture in her femur. "The bones may refuse to unite if treatment is delayed for too long," AMHF tells us. Let's make sure Hannah's treatment is not delayed any longer, and help her get back on her feet.

This is Hannah, an 83-year-old woman from Kenya who is full of life! Don’t let her age fool you-- Hannah is active and stays busy by socializing and doing daily chores. Hannah recently slipped and fell, which resulted in a femoral head fracture. The femoral head is the top part of the upper leg bone, which connects to the hip. The fracture is causing Hannah pain and has left her unable to walk. Since the accident, Hannah has been unable to maintain her normal activities, and has become dependent on her niece and nephew to feed and care for her. If not treated, Hannah will remain unable to walk and eventually the fracture may not be able to heal correctly. Despite her injury, Hannah still has a smile on her face. “When I was well, I could go to the farm and get my own food. Now, my family members have to do everything for me. I want to be well and be independent,” she says. Hannah needs surgery to heal her fracture, which costs $1,125. “We expect after surgery, the fracture will unite and Hannah will be able to walk again. She will be able to take care of herself,” describes our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. Let’s help her out!

Meet Emilly, a 22-year-old woman from Kenya! She lives with her hardworking husband, who works as a barber and farmer, and their firstborn child. Emilly recently found out some exciting news – she is four months pregnant with her second baby! Emilly, like all mothers, wants the best for her unborn child. “I go to church every Saturday to pray for my family. God willing, he will let me see my children grow healthy, strong, and educated up to their full potential,” Emilly tells our medical partner, Lwala Community Alliance. She is hopeful that with our help, she will have access to professional prenatal care, a proper delivery at a health facility, and postnatal care for herself and her child. Emilly is excited to have her baby at the health facility, “I feel I am blessed for the first time in my life, I never knew that such wonderful people like Watsi donors exist in this world.” It will cost $290 to get Emilly the resources she needs. Together we can ensure that Emilly has a healthy delivery and that her baby is brought into the world safely!