Dan is a child from Kenya. Dan’s mother is still a student in college while his father left her before he was born. They depend on Dan’s maternal grandparents who are peasant farmers and three school-going children under their care. Dan dipped his hand in hot water in April last year. He was rushed to Naivasha District Hospital where he was admitted for treatment. He was discharged a few weeks later and went home for recovery. Days on, the wound was not recovering as expected properly; he had to be readmitted in the same hospital. The wound worsened as the days went by as the skin grafting was not successful. The hospital decided to refer them to a hospital where they believed Dan would receive better care, hence being referred to Watsi medical partner Kijabe Hospital. The wound is not healing and if not treated, Dan may suffer infection. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Dan receive treatment. On January 16th, surgeons will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure to heal the wound. Now, Dan needs help to fund this $1,129 procedure. “It pains me to see my son confined in the house and he cannot play with his friends because of the wound. Please help us,” says Dan’s mother.

Abdulnasir is a baby from Ethiopia. He is a cute baby boy. Abdulnasir has one brother and he loves to play ball with him. He also loves cars. Abdulnasir’s father is a labor worker and he earns low income which is insufficient for their daily food. His mother is a house wife and she raises her two children full time. Sometimes she tries and bakes bread to make some extra money. Abdulnasir was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. He needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Abdulnasir is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition on October 24th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Abdulnasir's procedure and care. After his recovery, Abdulnasir will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Abdulnasir father said, “We are worried because our child is sick. And with his wound and with all his suffering we suffer a lot. We are so poor and we struggle even to feed our boys. We can’t afford the medical bills. We are living by the support of our mosque and men from our mosque. I don’t have land to farm so I am a day laborer.”

Nisriya is a young beautiful and playful girl from Ethiopia. Nisriya is the second-born girl in a family of three girls. She comes from a peasant family where her father is the sole breadwinner of the family. He is a casual labourer who relies on daily wages to make ends meet. Her mother is a housewife who delivered her third child in September 2019. Nisriya was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. She needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. She had a colostomy done but it is currently giving her multiple issues. She faces stigma from society forcing her parents to hide her from the public realm. If not treated, she will be at risk of infections in the colostomy area and continue suffering discrimination. After her recovery, Nisriya will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Nisriya is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her condition on November 14th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Nisriya's procedure and care. Her dad said, “It is my hope that my child will get successful surgery and I hope when she heal completely she will go to school. And I hope I will get her a good school working hard since she loves education."

Gracious is a baby boy from Tanzania. Gracious is a calm baby boy and the only child to his young parents. He has bilateral clubfoot which if not treated will result in permanent disability. After he was born, his parents were advised to take him to the hospital at three months of age. Upon review, surgeons advised for manipulation and casting surgery to correct the condition. Gracious's parents are casual labourers. His mother sells fruits and vegetables in the neighbourhood while his father is a casual construction site labourer. Their income is only sufficient to meet their daily needs. Gracious's relative referred them to our facility where the child was reviewed. His parents were asked for the hospital fee but are not able to raise it. If treated, Gracious will be able to walk upright and with ease. The family appeals for help. Fortunately, Gracious traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on October 15th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Gracious's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily. Gracious’s mother says, “The cost of the treatment is high for us to afford, kindly help our son if it’s possible.”

Maulito is a young man from Haiti. He lives in Port-au-Prince with his mother; he used to work repairing electronics but has not been able to continue since falling ill. Maulito has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves in his heart has been severely damaged due to a rheumatic fever he suffered several years ago. Maulito will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On September 9th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will remove his damaged valve and implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, is contributing $35,000 to pay for surgery. Maulito's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Maulito's family overseas. "I am looking forward to being able to focus on my future after having surgery!"

Chor is a 75-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He has three daughters and eight grandchildren, and enjoys listening to the news and the monks pray on the radio. Four years ago, Chor developed a cataract in each eye, causing him vision loss. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Chor learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On August 7, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $398 procedure. He says, "I hope that I am able to go outside well on my own and will be able to recognize objects."

Alphatina is a mother of two children from Kenya. She suffered burns when the kerosene stove she was using blew up in July 2016. She healed with contractures on her neck, and she is not able to move her head freely Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Alphatina receive treatment. On July 22, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,176 procedure. Alphatina says, “I would want to be well and continue bringing up my children together with my husband."

Wilson is a student from Tanzania. He has been diagnosed with genu valgus. His legs bow inward so that his knees touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he has difficulty walking to school. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Wilson. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 21. Treatment will hopefully restore Wilson's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Wilson says, “I am having difficulty walking and running due to my legs curving help me get treated.”

Elise is a hard-working mother of five from Malawi. She lives with her husband and works hard to care for the home, doing all of the daily cooking and washing for her family. Since December of last year, Elise has been experiencing pain radiating from the abdomen to the heart and the back. She has been diagnosed with a hydatidiform mole which did not respond to initial medical treatment. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $650 to fund Elise's surgery. On May 2, she will undergo gynecological surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and seven nights of hospital stay.

Kyaw Myat is a five-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his family in Ma Gyi Pin Village, Tigyaing Township, Sagaing Division. Kyaw Myat was recently diagnosed with hydrocephalus, which has caused fluid to build up in his brain. Without immediate surgery to alleviate the intracranial pressure that the excess fluid is causing, he is at risk of developing severe, potentially fatal medical complications. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund the insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for Kyaw Myat, which will drain the fluid that has accumulated in his brain. The procedure is scheduled to take place on April 19, and, once completed, will greatly improve Kyaw Myat's quality of life. His father says, "After my son underwent MRI, the result shows that he is suffering from hydrocephalus and need surgery. I hope he will feel better after this surgery."

Srey Nuon is a teenager from Cambodia. Her favorite subjects to study in school are chemistry and math, and one day she hopes to become a chemistry teacher. Srey Nuon was born with scoliosis, which is progressing with age, making it difficult to sit in school for long periods, and causing a lot of discomfort. Surgery can help correct the position of her spine, and prevent further worsening of the condition. Fortunately, spinal surgery has been scheduled for March 11. Our medical partner needs help raising $1,500 to fund this procedure. Srey Nuon says, "I hope that after my surgery I will no longer have any pain and I will be able to take care of myself and sleep better."

Vanda is a 25-year-old simcard seller from Cambodia. He likes listening to classical music, playing soccer, and going for walks with his friends. Seven months ago, Vanda was in a motorcycle accident that injured his right shoulder. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his right side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. He is unable to use his right arm, and it is difficult for him to move his hand. Vanda traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On February 13, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he will be able to move his arm and hand again. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $637 to fund this procedure. He says, "After surgery, I hope that I will be able to use my hands again and go back to work."