Katusiime is a child from Uganda. She is the first born of three children. She is in primary school and would like to become a doctor in the future. Four years ago, Katusiime developed an incisional hernia. If not treated, the hernia may result in intestinal tissue twisting and blocking. Fortunately, on April 11, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $249 to fund Katusiime's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Her father says, "My daughter has suffered with this condition. We are worried of her health. She needs help. We are unable to pay for treatment.’’

Khin is a 17-year-old student from Burma. She lives with her mother and step-father in Mandalay Division in Burma. Her mother works as laundrywoman for her neighbors, and her step-father works as daily laborer in construction sites. Khin was born with the help of traditional birth attendant. When she was one year old, she was constantly tired and inactive. Khin's mother was worried for her and took her to a hospital in Burma. The doctor diagnosed her with a congenital heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). In 2017, Khin's symptoms became much more severe. She has difficulty breathing and cannot walk long distances. Fortunately, Khin learned about our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). At BCMF's care center, surgeons can perform a heart surgery to treat the defect. Treatment is scheduled for March 16, and Khin needs help raising $1,500 to pay for this procedure. Khin says, "I want to continue my study after I recover. In the future, I want to become a teacher."

Edsen is a 16-year-old tenth grade student from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He lives with his older cousin and loves computers. He hopes to have a career in information technology one day. Edsen was born with two cardiac conditions, double outlet right ventricle (DORV) and pulmonary atresia. Together, this set of complex defects severely limits his heart's ability to supply blood to his lungs and causes blood to flow back into his heart. For surgeons to understand if Edsen's condition is operable, he needs to undergo a cardiac CT scan, a procedure that is unavailable in Haiti. Edsen will be flown to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on February 7. He will be treated at our medical partner's care center, Hospital General Plaza de la Salud. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is asking for $985 to cover the cost of Edsen's travel fees, CT scan procedure, and lab work. "I am very thankful to everyone who is giving me the chance to take this trip," says Edsen. "I am hopeful that I can have my heart problem fixed."

Meet Phanith, a 21-year-old from Cambodia who works at a nearby water purification factory. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Center (CSC), shares that besides working, Phanith enjoys listening to classical music in his free time. Since birth, Phanith has had a visual condition called esotropia where his right eye turns inward. Because of this, he is shy around others. Phanith shares, "I am shy because other people always call me 'cross eyed man'." He does not enjoy doing work at the factory or being outside for fear of being seen and mocked. This lack of coordination between Phanith's ocular muscles prevents him from having depth perception or general binocular vision. For $290, Phanith can undergo correction surgery where one of those extraocular muscles will be shortened or lengthened to align the eye properly. The cost of both surgery and recovery will be covered. CSC believes that after the surgery, Phanith's right eye will realign and he will be able to return to work with more confidence. Phanith's father hopes that his "son is good looking with a straight eye, so he isn't shy with anyone anymore and he can feel good about his work and go anywhere he wants to."

Say hello to Stanley, a one-year-old boy from Haiti! According to our medical partner, Project Medishare, “Stanley is the first baby of the family; he is mono-parental because his father left his mother when he saw that the baby has a deformation, and now the mother is the only person fighting to help him.” Unfortunately, Stanley deals with cleft lip and palate; and because of his condition, he is unable to breastfeed or drink milk using a baby bottle. Without treatment, he will continue to have difficulties with nutrition. For $960, Stanley will receive the surgery required to mend his cleft lip and palate. After the operation, he will be able to eat and drink normally again. Let’s help Stanley live a healthy childhood!

Meet baby Marisa from Guatemala. She's two-months-old, the youngest of three children, and a welcome addition to her loving family. Marisa was a premature baby, weighing only three pounds at birth. Her mother has not been able to produce milk for her and formula is prohibitively expensive for the family. The family was referred to Watsi's medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq' (WK), which has worked with a number of other Watsi patients in Guatemala to tackle malnutrition. "I was really happy when I learned about your program, and I hope you can help my baby," Marisa's mother told the WK team. Marisa is in good hands, and with our help, well on her way to good health, too. "With close nutritional followup and counseling, as well as the all important provision of the necessary milk formula, Marisa will gain weight, grow normally, and develop normally," the WK team tells us. $1220 will cover the cost of comprehensive and personalized care the WK team will provide Marisa. Let's fund this little one's care and get her on track for a healthy and productive life.

"My grandchildren are lost without me; I look forward to being there for them and spending more time with them when I get better" says Choipa. Both a grandfather and farmer, Choipa is a 70-year-old male from Malawi. Choipa has a hydrocele, or buildup of fluid which has caused swollen testes. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, shares that, “Choipa produces just enough food for his family with nothing to sell to give him money to pay for his treatment.” If left untreated, Choipa will continue to have swelling and be unable to focus on taking care of his grandchildren. Choipa will be able to receive hydrocele surgery with $631. With this treatment, his testes will return to normal and he will be able to go back to farming and raising his grandchildren. Let’s help Choipa get healthy!

“This non stop bleeding is worrying. I hope Watsi will support me so that I can be well and take care of my children,” shares Catherine. Say hi to Catherine, a 46-year-old mother of six from Kenya. For three weeks, Catherine has been experiencing lower abdominal and uterine bleeding caused by noncancerous tumors, or fibroids, in Catherine's uterus. Due to the bleeding masses in her uterus, Catherine is now at risk for severe anemia. The growth of the fibroids could also affect other body organs. Catherine is a very social woman, with leadership positions in her women groups. She and her husband are farmers and depend on farm produce for their basic needs and the education of their children. To supplement the family income, Catherine’s husband also seeks out casual work. The bleeding and pain has persisted and Catherine can no longer socialize with her friends, neighbors, or women groups. Doctors at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), have recommended a total abdominal hysterectomy, a surgery Catherine’s family is unable to afford. We can fund a successful surgery for $790. “We expect after a total abdominal hysterectomy, Catherine will recover fully,” AMHF doctors describe. “She will be able to lead her women groups and take care of her children.” Let’s help this social mother get back to participating in her daily activities!

Joseph is a one-year-old boy living in Kenya. He has a visible superficial mass growing on his back, which, left untreated, may affect his structural and physiological growth. His mother hopes that Joseph, the firstborn in his family, can get surgery before the swelling grows any further so that he can have a bright unhindered future. Joseph’s father is a casual farm laborer and his mother is a housewife. His family has struggled just to raise enough money to get Joseph to the hospital. For $750, Joseph can get a mass excision to prevent any further growth so that he can lead a normal productive life. You can give him the chance he deserves.