“Just as Nandi was going to bed, there was no electricity so she could not see properly in the dark," shares our medical partner in Nepal, Possible. "She tripped and ended up fracturing her hand. Nandi has not slept well because of the pain and her hand has swelled considerably.” Nandi is a 70-year-old woman living in Nepal. She lives with her son’s family and her four grandchildren. Her daughter-in-law looks after their farm and her son works in India, but is currently at home to ensure his mother’s health improves. Nandi needs advanced orthopedic surgery to repair the fracture in her right hand. This treatment costs $224, and will help her bones align correctly and heal well. Possible says, “In about a month’s time, with some physiotherapy, she can go back to doing the activities she used to do before.” “I hope the doctors can fix my mother’s hand, because I cannot afford the treatment," Nandi's son adds. Let’s help make Nandi's treatment possible.

Meet Maria, an 18-year-old young woman from Tanzania. According to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), Maria is the second oldest in a family of four. A few years ago, Maria was involved in an accident that left her with a burn contracture on her right wrist and fingers--a condition that results after a burn heals. Contractures cause the skin to tighten, preventing movement. AMHF shares, “it is a norm in [her] family that each child learns how to cook and every evening one of the children will have a duty to prepare dinner. [The night of the accident] was Maria’s brother’s turn to cook, but he was running late.” To help her brother, Maria decided to start the fire for him. As AMHF explains, “it is something which she had done many times, but that day her long sleeve blouse accidentally caught fire and the material stuck to her skin.” A neighbor heard her cries for help and rushed her to the hospital. After several months, the large wound healed, but left Maria with a contracture that limits her from using her right hand. Due to this injury, schooling has become a challenge. Maria’s parents--both small-scale farmers--produce a modest income and are unable to support the costs of her treatment. With $550, Maria will receive surgery to treat the contracture on her right wrist and fingers. To help her hand heal normally, Maria will also receive corrective splints. Maria will spend six weeks at Plaster House--a surgical rehabilitation program that specializes in helping children recover from complex operations. While there, Maria will receive intensive physiotherapy sessions. With surgery and physiotherapy, Maria will regain use of her hand. Maria tells AMHF, “if I can move just two of my fingers, I would like to learn how to tailor clothes and start my own tailoring business.”

Meet Chhorn, an 82-year-old man from Cambodia. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), shares, “Chhorn spends most of his days listening to monks pray in his village. He is married with five children and ten grandchildren.” Chhorn has been diagnosed with cataracts in both of his eyes. A cataract occurs when the lens of the eye becomes clouded with age, distorting vision. CSC explains, “Chhorn’s cataracts make it hard for him to eat alone, go places by himself and he can't see the faces of his family members very well.” With $225 in Watsi funding, Chhorn will be treated for the cataracts in both of his eyes. Doctors will replace the clouded lens of his left eye with a clear, artificial implant, and then do the same to Chhorn’s right lens after 1-2 weeks. This treatment will allow Chhorn to regain his vision and see clearly. CSC adds, “After surgery Chhorn is looking forward to seeing faces again, going to the pagoda, and regaining some of his independence.”

“In her spare time, Bunthen likes to read religious books,” shares our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). However, the 77-year old mother of four and grandmother of 12 from Cambodia has become increasingly unable to enjoy this hobby due to a cataract that has matured in her left eye. Cataracts develop over the eye lens, causing clouded vision as less light is able to reach the back of the eye—where the brain processes visual images. According to CSC, “Bunthen's cataracts make it hard for her to read books and signs.” This condition also has begun to detract from her independence, making her unable to “go anywhere far away alone.” With $150, Bunthen will have her cataract surgically removed, replacing the old, cloudy lens with an artificial substitute. Included as part of her treatment, Bunthen receive two days of hospital care in addition to both preoperative and postoperative support. After surgery and recovery, “Bunthen will have restored vision,” CSC reports. Bunthen is looking forward to her improved vision, which will enable her to resume a more active lifestyle. CSC shares, “after surgery, Bunthen wants to be able to read again and join ceremonies in the pagodas in other provinces.”

“Abigaelle was normal after she was born, but when she turned four months old she became sick and her head started getting large,” our medical partner in Haiti, Project Medishare (PM), reports. Symptoms of the flu, fever, and vomiting, accompanied Abigaelle’s head growth. Her mother brought her to the hospital, and a CT scan revealed excess fluid in her brain. Abigaelle was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, which is the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. This can lead to brain damage and death if left untreated. Abigaelle’s mother “used to do commerce in the past, selling second hand clothes in the streets, but when her baby became sick she spent the money she had and did not have time to go sale,” adds PM. Abigaelle’s father “is also sick and cannot respond to the needs of the family." Furthermore, Abigaelle’s family is currently homeless after their home was destroyed during hurricane season. Her condition can be treated for $1,260, and surgery consists of a hydrocephalus shunt placement to drain the excess fluid in her head. This treatment will also help prevent other diseases prompted by hydrocephalus, such as seizures. We can help ease some of the hardship that Abigaelle and her family are facing by funding her treatment.

"I am very excited for the surgery, and not scared at all," shares 12-year-old Dashka. "I am looking forward to it!" Dashka is a girl from Haiti who enjoys going to school, and watching soccer and tennis on television. She lives in Haiti with her mother, father, and two younger brothers. "Dashka was born with a cardiac condition called pulmonic stenosis, in which the pulmonary valve of her heart is too small in diameter," says our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). "As a result, blood cannot pass freely between her heart and her lungs, and backs up into her heart. This makes her tired and sickly." "She requires a surgery in which a balloon will be inserted into the valve to stretch it open to a near-normal size," HCA continues. University Hospital of Martinique has contributed $7500 to cover Dashka's medical expenses, but she needs an additional $1500 for overseas preparation and transportation. HCA tells us that "following surgery, normal blood flow should be restored to Dashka's heart and she should not require additional surgeries in the future." "She wants to be a cardiologist when she grows up so she can help other kids like her," HCA adds.

This little boy is one-year-old John Knox from Haiti. "John Knox lives with his parents and one older brother. His father is a fisherman, and his mother sells goods in the market," shares our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). "John Knox was born with a heart condition called pulmonic stenosis, in which the valve carrying blood between the heart and the lungs is too narrow to allow blood to pass freely," continues HCA. "Because of this, the body is deprived of oxygen and blood backs up into the heart, causing heart failure." John Knox is a happy and curious baby, although he is small for his age because of his heart condition. His mother tells us, "I have seen that John Knox has been suffering ever since he was born, and it's very hard for me. I'm very happy that the doctors have agreed to help him!" Surgery for his condition costs $1,500, and it is expected to have a huge impact on his health and development. "John Knox's pulmonary valve should be stretched to a near-normal size, allowing blood to pass freely to his lungs. He should be able to live a full life without further cardiac issues," explains HCA.

“I hope the mass on the back of my daughter’s neck can be removed. I think once the mass is out, my baby will be able to grow normally. She will be strong and grow up to become an independent young lady,” says Riziki’s mother, Agnes. This is Riziki, a two-year-old girl from Tanzania who was born with a small lesion on the back of her neck. Over time, it has gotten larger, and Agnes worries that her daughter will not be able to develop properly. “Riziki is delaying in all of the developmental stages,” our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us. “The mass on the back of her neck can rupture at any time and leak cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). It is life-threatening to have an open lesion and lose CSF.” Currently, Riziki’s mother works as a small-scale farmer. Her husband is looking for work in a neighboring country but has not returned home since before Riziki was born. Agnes cannot afford the cost of surgery, which is where we come in! $1,100 will fund the surgery to remove the mass on Riziki’s neck. “Riziki will have a better chance to grow normally and become independent,” explains AMHF.

Meet Rose, a 30-year-old expecting mother from Kenya. With two lovely kids of her own, Rose is also employed as a nursery teacher. Her living from teaching and her husband's job as a driver, however, are hardly enough to supplement their family's basic needs. Due to her pregnancy, Rose has been feeling pain in her lower abdomen after doing activities such as heavy lifting or farm work. She hopes for a safe delivery in a health facility so that she can go on to further her studies and secure a well-paying job to support her growing family. For $215, Rose will undergo a safe delivery with skilled personnel, highly reducing the chances of complications and ensuring a quick and easy recovery. Let's fund a safe delivery for Rose and put her on the path to success!

Margaret is two years old. She has two older siblings and lives with her parents in Kenya. She is growing fast and her teeth have even started to emerge - an exciting event for most kids! However, Margaret has an ectopic tooth that is growing into her palate. This means that the tooth is growing in the wrong place and is causing her difficulty in feeding. This may lead to malnutrition if she is unable to eat properly. Her father works as a casual laborer and her mother is a housewife, so they have been unable to raise money for her treatment. For $750, Margaret will receive a surgery to remove the troublesome tooth. This will allow Margaret to eat well again. Let’s help Margaret live a healthy and normal life!