Meet Rose, a three-month old girl from Haiti. Rose's father is a laborer, working various jobs to help his family, while Rose's mother cares for their four children. Rose has hydrocephalus, a condition characterized by the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. This has caused Rose's head to grow abnormally large, and cause flu symptoms such as a fever. Rose needs a hydrocephalus shunt placement to drain the fluid and allow her head to return to a normal size. Surgery will likely save her life and restore her health, says our partner, Project Medishare. The treatment costs $1,260, but her parents are unable to afford it. Rose's mother shares, “when I saw that her head was big I was very scared because I never saw babies sick with this health condition.” Our medical partner shares that Rose's mother has lost her appetite, and is very distressed about her daughter's condition. Hydrocephalus is a treatable condition if dealt with in time -- let's help Rose fully recover, and fund this important treatment.

Meet Rose, a 65-year-old mother of six from Kenya. “Rose was diagnosed with breast cancer last year,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). She found a lump in her right breast, and it has grown and become more painful in the months since her diagnosis. Rose will need a mastectomy in order to make sure the cancer does not spread to other parts of her body. ”Her husband was at the time [of her diagnosis] in the hospital for treatment of an abdominal tumor,” explains AMHF. Rose devoted her time and her family’s money to his care, and as a result, neglected to take care of herself. Her husband unfortunately passed away from his condition last year and she is now paying off his medical bills together with her sons, who work on the family farm, growing maize and beans. They can pay for part of Rose’s surgery, but need help with the remaining $740. “My sons are working hard to clear all the bills from my late husband’s hospital stay,” explains Rose. “I was afraid of telling them that I also need treatment. They have supported me and ensured I see a doctor so that despite the difficult time they are currently having, I am taken care of. Your support will ensure that my family does not get further in debt.” The mastectomy will hopefully stop the cancer growth, and will allow Rose to live a long life. Let’s work together to make it happen!

“While working in the fields, Saw Dit was driving a tractor and lost control while driving up a steep bank,” explains our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). “The tractor rolled backwards, throwing him from the seat and he then collided with a tree." As a result of the accident, "his back was punctured by a bamboo cane. The pole entered just above his hip and put a whole in his intestines causing severe pain and internal bleeding," continues BBP. 23-year-old Saw Dit was transported to a clinic, where he received a temporary colostomy and had his wounds cleaned. As he is the main source of support for his wife and two children, Saw Dit has been struggling to fund his care while also supporting his family. He needs to have his colostomy reversed to continue his healing process. $1,500 will fund the reverse colostomy procedure, so Saw Dit can care for his family and get back to work. "By returning to work, Saw Dit hopes to save money and provide the opportunity for his boys to attend school," BBP explains. "He was unable to attend school himself and therefore cannot read or write. Saw Dit understands the importance of education and dreams that his boys will receive the education he was unable to pursue due to finances."

Meet Nancy, a four-month-old girl from Tanzania! Nancy has a congenital deformity on her left foot, also known as a clubfoot. “If not treated, the condition will affect Nancy’s gait and she will likely develop osteoarthritis of the small bones at an early age,” reports our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Nancy is the first-born child to her parents and she likes to play with her toys. “Nancy also has congenital deformities of both hands and her right foot. She was born without all ten fingers and without toes on her right foot. Her mother is a medical attendant at a dispensary in their village and her father is a secondary school teacher. Their income is not enough to cover their house rent, daily expenses, and also pay the cost of treatment which Nancy needs,” continues AMHF. “Maybe there isn’t much that can be done for Nancy’s hands, but at least the position of her left foot can be corrected to allow her to walk properly when she grows up and that is all I wish for,” says Nancy’s mother. For $1160, we can correct Nancy’s gait and prevent onset osteoarthritis. AMHF concludes, “Nancy will not have to use the lateral aspect of her left foot when she starts to walk and the correction will reduce the risk of developing early osteoarthritis.”

“I am still young and I hope to be able to work and have my own family,” says James, filled with hope. Meet James, a 33-year-old young man from Kenya. James used to work as a bus conductor, a job that took care of his basic needs. In 2014, James was involved in a hit and run road traffic accident, which resulted in a fractured tibia. He is in pain and is unable to use his right leg. James was taken to a hospital where the surgeon advised he undergo an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) surgery. The surgery has not been done because James cannot afford it as he is no longer working due to his broken leg. If not treated, the bones will fail to unite completely and James will be unable to walk and earn a living. For $1,125, James will receive the ORIF surgery. “We expect after an ORIF, the bones will unite and James will be able to use his legs again,” our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, begins to explain. “James will be able to work so that he can support himself and also achieve his dream of raising a family.” Let’s give James the treatment he needs to continue living his life!

"After treatment I want to unite with my family - all I want is to be healthy and see my children again," says 49-year-old Nyo Ah from Thailand. She is widowed and has two children who live in Burma. Nyo Ah has a myoma, more commonly known as a fibroid, in her uterus. She experiences painful and heavy discharge for days at a time, has back pain, and is unable to sleep often as a result. Burma Border Projects can help Nyo Ah right now. "After treatment, Nyo Ah is looking forward to returning home to Burma," they write. "She hopes that once she has recovered from surgery, she will be able to return to Burma and find them." The full cost of Nyo Ah's care, including hospitalization, surgery, and post-operative care, will run at $865. Let's work together to help her cover the cost!

“He was okay when he was born, but now he is very bad. I wish God to save his life," says Ladouceur’s mother. Ladouceur is a sweet one-year-old from Haiti where he lives with his parents and three older siblings. Two weeks after Ladouceur was born, his family noticed the size of his head was growing abnormally and took him to a hospital where he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a condition causing an excessive accumulation of fluid in the brain, massive head size and sun setting eyes. If left untreated, this condition can lead to brain damage, a loss in mental and physical abilities, and even death. With all they have spent on clinic visits, Ladouceur’s parents cannot afford his treatment. We can fund a successful treatment for $1,260. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, writes, “doctors will drain the excess fluid in Ladouceur’s head and prevent more fluid from accumulating. This will give him access to a healthy life.” Let’s help Ladouceur and his family by funding this surgery!

Synthia is an outgoing and friendly five-year-old girl with a great sense of humor. She likes to make jokes, meet new friends, and draw. She lives with her parents and four siblings in Haiti. Synthia was born with a congenital heart disease that caused a hole in her heart to remain open, when it should have closed after birth. Her condition, called patent ductus arteriosus, allows blood to bypass her lungs and return to her body without receiving oxygen. As a result, Synthia is frequently out of breath and lethargic. Some days her condition even keeps her home from preschool. For $1,500, Synthia will receive the surgery she needs to correct her congenital defect. This surgery will allow Synthia's heart to pump blood normally so that she can hit all of her developmental milestones and finally have all of the energy she needs to be her bubbly self. Synthia says, "I am excited to have surgery so I don't have to keep visiting the doctors so much!"

Chhoun is on a mission to get her vision back! This 51-year-old grandmother lives in Cambodia and loves going to the local pagoda and socializing with other people in her village. However, Chhoun has a mature cataract in her right eye which has made it difficult for her to do the things she loves. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Center, tells us “Chhoun has extremely blurry vision in her right eye, so much so that it limits how often she can go places and makes it impossible for her to go anywhere alone. She can't work and cannot even keep up the house when she is at home. Her husband must look after her so his work is limited, so they both suffer for money.” All Chhoun needs to fix her vision is a simple cataract surgery which costs $150. CSC says, “She is constantly sad because she has to be very close to see anything more than vague color and shapes. She is hoping a place as famous as CSC can help her get her vision back.” With your help, Chhoun will be able to see again!

This is Kevin, a two-month-old baby from Uganda. His parents are farmers who grow sweet potatoes, beans, and millet to support their family. Kevin has three older siblings, two of whom are in school right now. "He was born here at the hospital weighing 2.5 kilograms," our medical partner, the Kellermann Foundation (KF), tells us about Kevin. "However, when he was three weeks he started to lose weight for an unknown reason." At two months, baby Kevin is breastfeeding but remains unable to gain weight. "It could be because the mother is not producing enough milk or because there are underlying health issues that keep him from a stable weight," KF writes. Clinicians have recommended that Kevin be treated for malnutrition. Supplemental milk and breast milk will help ensure that he experiences normal physical and mental development. Kevin's parents will be able to cover a small co-pay for Kevin's care, but with $375, we can help Kevin continue to grow.

This is Sim, a 60-year-old mother of six and grandmother of ten. She lives in Cambodia with her large family. In her free time Sim likes to go to the pagodas in her village and listen to the monks speak. Of course, she also likes to spend time with her family! Sim’s journey to Watsi began over a year ago, when she started to lose her eyesight. She now has cataracts, a clouding of the lens inside the eye. Cataracts are the most common cause of blindness, and if left untreated, Sim will eventually become completely blind. Sim says that she is unhappy that she can no longer see well enough to recognize things, and sometimes experiences pain. She wants to be able to see her family and work to support them. For $100, Watsi donors can help this loving mother and grandmother. Your donations will fund surgery, which should improve Sim’s eyesight, prevent blindness and reduce her pain.

Say hello to Adrian, a four-month-old boy! He lives with his parents in Kenya’s coastal region. Adrian’s mom stays at home to take care of him, and his father works as a taxi driver. Adrian has hydrocephalus, a buildup of fluid inside the skull which leads to brain swelling and an enlarged head. If Adrian isn’t treated, he is likely to lose his eyesight and is at risk for developing an infection in his brain. For $980, Adrian can receive a shunt insertion that will divert the excess fluid in his skull to another part of his body. The lessened pressure on his nerves will decrease his risks of blindness, brain compression and meningitis. Adrian’s mother says, “I hope for the best. Our wish is for Adrian to receive the best treatment that will enable him to live a healthy life.” Let’s help make this family’s wish come true, and fund little Adrian’s treatment!