Meet Hsa, a 27-year-old man from Burma. Hsa works on a rice farm and also makes coal from wood to sell so he can support his family. Hsa came to our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), with a mass inside his nasal passage and adjacent sinus. “Hsa first noticed symptoms related to his condition six years ago when he was 21,” says BBP. “He said that he had difficulty breathing, had a sore throat, and a yellow-colored discharge started to drip from his nose.” Hsa sought medical care on multiple occasions, but the medicines he received did not relieve his symptoms, BBP adds. “His head throbs, he cannot breathe well, and he has trouble hearing due to the drainage.” “I have to miss work in the rice fields when my symptoms are particularly bad,” says Hsa. His inability to work prevents him from sending money home to support his family and pay school fees for his sisters. With $1,500, Hsa can undergo surgery to remove the mass from his nose and sinus. Funding also pays for 15 days of hospital care immediately after surgery and two outpatient visits for follow-up care. “It is expected that if Hsa has treatment for his condition, that he will be able to return to work so that he can earn money to support his parents and siblings,” BBP tells us. “He will no longer be in discomfort/pain and will be able to sleep well.” “If I can get well, I will be able to make money and send it home to my family,” says Hsa.

“I like watching and helping my mom prepare some tea and simple meals," Laurent says. "When I grow up, I would like to become a famous chef." Meet Laurent, a seven-year-old boy from Tanzania. “Laurent was born with a congenital deformity of the foot, which is forcing him to use the lateral aspect of his feet for walking. If not treated, Laurent will most likely develop early osteoarthritis of the small bones,” reports our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Laurent is the oldest of three children in his family. He enjoys playing soccer, singing, and dancing. “Laurent’s parents are small scale farmers. They rely on growing and selling maize, beans, sunflower, and peanuts. Laurent’s parents try very hard to take good care of their children, but their seasonal income is not enough to cover their basic needs as well as pay for the treatment which Laurent needs badly,” continues AMHF. For $1160, AMHF can operate on Laurent to fix his clubfoot. After treatment, “Laurent will be able to step on his feet normally. His gait will improve and he will have a reduced risk of developing osteoarthritis at a young age," adds AMHF.

"Baraka is a very talkative little boy," writes our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "He is in kindergarten and likes to draw and color some pictures. He also likes to run around with other children as well as playing with cars." Six-year-old Baraka lives with his parents and two older siblings in Tanzania. His parents work in a restaurant in their hometown to support their family. Baraka's father is a chef at the restaurant while his mother works as a restaurant attendant. Baraka has clubfoot in both of his feet, which means they are turned inwards on each other. This affects the way that he walks and keeps him from being active or even walking long distances without experiencing pain. The AMHF team has recommended corrective surgery to make it possible for Baraka to be active. The procedure costs $1160, an expense which is out of his family's reach. “Baraka is so charming and full of life," says Baraka's mother. "We hope to see him able to walk properly and perform various activities without constraints on his feet." Watsi donors - let's help this vibrant young boy experience the pleasure of an active childhood.