13-month-old Mchandael was born with a cardiac condition called valvar pulmonic stenosis, in which one of the four valves of his heart is too narrow to allow enough blood to pass through it. As a result, blood backs up into his heart, leaving him sickly and weak and causing heart failure. Mchandael lives in Port-au-Prince, Haiti with his mother and father; he is their first child. His mother works at a clothing store and his father sells cell phones in the street. Mchandael is a happy and curious baby who likes playing with toys and clapping to music. For $1500 in Watsi funding, in addition to a $5000 subsidy from Have a Heart Cayman Islands, Mchandael can receive the heart surgery he needs to get healthy. "We want to say thank you to everyone who is helping our son go to the hospital for his surgery," his mother shared.

Meet Pov, a 77-year-old woman from Cambodia. She is the proud mother of a son and a daughter, and a grandmother to four. In her free time, Pov likes visiting her local pagoda to listen to the monks pray there. For two years now, Pov has been living with a cataract in each of her eyes. Cataracts occur when the eye’s lens becomes clouded. Pov’s vision is blurred. As a result, she can't do her housework easily, or even get around on her own. Despite this, Pov traveled three hours with her niece to reach CSC for treatment. And this loss of independence may not be the only consequence for Pov. If untreated, her cataracts could eventually destroy her vision entirely. Cataracts are the world’s most common cause of blindness. But Pov can avoid this outcome. For $225, we can sponsor the surgery she needs. Doctors will make a small incision in each of her eyes and remove the clouded lenses. Then, they will insert artificial replacement lenses. After undergoing this two-part procedure in each eye, Pov will be able to see clearly again. Let’s help make sure Pov gets to see her grandchildren’s faces again soon.

Originally from Burma, Pa Lel is a 52-year-old housewife and mother of six children who lives in Thailand. She used to work as an agricultural day laborer with her husband and son, but she stopped working two years ago after she was diagnosed with hypertension. When she is not tending to her family or home, she takes care of the piglets that she raises. In early June 2016, Pa Lel went to a wedding ceremony. Returning home after the wedding, she fell on a large stone while trying to cross the road and broke her elbow. Her husband tried to stitch it up, and then they immediately went to the hospital where doctors stabilized her arm. They told her she would need surgery to fix her arm, possibly inserting a metal rod. Currently, Pa Lel is experiencing much pain in her arm. She is not able to move around, cook or clean, or take care of her house and family. She must keep her arm bandaged and splinted so that it stays straight and elevated. The family's income—the combined earnings from Pa Lel's husband, son, and two of her daughters—is just enough to cover their daily expenses but leaves them unable to save money or pay for healthcare. To pay for transportation and other costs associated with getting medical treatment, Pa Lel had to borrow money from her neighbor. For $1,500, Pa Lel will undergo surgery—open reduction and internal fixation—to reposition and set her broken arm and enable proper healing. Funding also covers the costs of seven days of hospital care, including food, blood tests, and medicine. In the future, Pa Lel would like to return to Burma with her family.

Esupat is a very sweet two-year-old girl from Tanzania. Her mother is a housewife and her father a janitor. Esupat's legs are deformed due to a condition known as genu valgus, a condition in which the knees angle in and touch one another when the legs are straightened. Due to her condition, Esupat experiences pain when walking and her legs have become progressively bent inward. Genu valgus is a condition common to the region due to the excessive flouride in the drinking water. Esupat loves to play with her friends and her siblings, but her condition makes it difficult to keep up with other children her age. Her father heard about our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF) through work. AMHF determined that Esupat is in need of corrective surgery and rehabilitation in order to allow her to walk properly. For $940, doctors will perform a procedure to straighten her knees and afterwards Esupat will participate in physical therapy to learn to walk again. Without this surgery, Esupat's gait may worsen and she will be very limited in where she can walk. Esupat is expected to make a full recovery and be able to play and keep up with other children her age. "I want my child to heal and study to become a nurse when she is older," says Esupat's mom.

Sekhar was playing cricket with his younger brother when he slipped and fractured his right hand. He has been in so much pain since the injury that he has been taking medication to control it. Sekhar is 10 years old, and lives in Nepal with his extended family, while his parents live in India to support their family back home. Sekhar is unable to do his everyday chores on his own and needs assistance. He is grateful that his exams are over and that he didn't have to miss them because of his injury. However, his family is unable to afford proper treatment to ensure the fracture heals long-term. This includes surgery and casting, and will cost $579 in total. In his free time, Sekhar enjoys reading short stories and cycling in the hills. Let's help him get back to the activities he enjoys, and fund this life-changing treatment.

Eh Htoo is a 17-year-old girl living on the border of Burma and Thailand with her sister’s family. Her sister and her husband have two children; a 3-year-old girl and 4-month old-boy. Her sister works as a teacher and her sister’s husband works as a social worker in a clinic. Their combined income every month is just enough to cover their living expenses. Eh Htoo's mother and father are living in Burma and work as farmers. Eh Htoo's sister says that the life in Burma was challenging. It was hard to find a job and the salary was not enough to feed the whole family, so she decided to move to Thailand. Eh Htoo is studying 9th grade in school. In her free time she likes to read the Bible, listen to music, and watch movies. Eh Htoo has a congenital deformity on her left foot. She went to a screening in her town with the hope of getting some medical treatment for her foot. The doctor examined her and when he was listening to her heart, he detected a cardiac problem. She was referred to Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Watsi's medical partner, who told Eh Htoo that they could not help her with her foot until she had received cardiac surgery. Eh Htoo was very sad when she heard the news about her heart condition. She was not aware of any symptoms relating to her ventricular septal defect (VSD) diagnosis. Fortunately, we can help. $1,500 will cover the cost of life-changing heart surgery for Eh Htoo. After successful cardiac surgery, Eh Htoo will be able to have her planned foot surgery. She will not have to worry about future problems associated with her VSD diagnosis. Eh Htoo is thankful for the opportunity to receive surgery. "I want to continue my studies and in the future I want to be either a teacher or a doctor," she shares.

Robert, an 11-month boy from Haiti, was born with a heart condition called tetralogy of Fallot. This heart condition is characterized by four heart defects that combine to prevent oxygen from effectively circulating throughout the body. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), shares that as a result, Robert has difficulty breathing and remains sickly. Robert, who lives in Port-au-Prince with his mother and father, "is a quiet and happy baby and likes to play with toys and listen to music," HCA details. "His mother stays at home with him, and his father works as a vendor in the local market." Most children who are diagnosed early with tetralogy of Fallot can live relatively normal lives if they receive appropriate treatment. Health City Cayman Islands has also committed to subsidizing Robert’s surgery with $3,500. An additional $1,500 will allow Robert the surgery he needs to become healthy. HCA details: “During surgery, a shunt will be placed, allowing Robert’s blood to receive more oxygen while his heart continues to grow and develop. In about two years, he will require a second surgery to completely repair his cardiac defect.” “I have been very worried about Robert and I am so glad that there is a surgery that can help him be safe and healthy," Robert's mother shares. "Thank you, everyone!”

Five-year-old Travis lives in Kenya and is primarily cared for by his grandmother. His grandmother took over guardianship four years ago when Travis’s mother left the family. Travis’s father works long hours as a construction worker, and his earnings are supplemented with what Travis’s grandmother can provide as a subsistence farmer. “Travis is the son to one of my sons,” she says. “I try to offer the best I can.” Travis’s grandmother has many children and grandchildren, and knows what to watch for in developing children. That is why she was quick to catch Travis’s undescended testicle three years ago, and was very keen on getting treatment. An undescended testicle requires surgery to avoid risk of developing a painful hernia or testicular cancer. At such a young age, Travis’s doctor told his family he could not undergo treatment, and for the past three years he has been using painkillers daily to alleviate pain in his groin. Travis is finally old enough to have the surgery, however Travis’s family is unable to afford the treatment, despite their attempt to save. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, tells us that for $540, Travis can receive the single orchidopexy procedure he needs to stop regular use of painkillers and avoid serious complications. The total cost includes the procedure, supplies, and three days of inpatient care and meals. Travis and his grandmother are excited for this procedure, and look forward to the many pain-free years ahead.

“I just want to have a healthy baby,” says the mother of Marvin, a two-month-old baby boy who lives with his parents and six siblings in Guatemala. “Marvin has no access to breast milk or formula. His mother says that after having six children over 17 years, she simply does not have enough breast milk left," says our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). "Marvin is always crying because he is hungry.” Because of this lactational failure, Marvin has limited access to nutritious food, which has impeded his development. "Marvin is very underweight for his age, and his height is far below the average as well," WK says. Marvin's father works as a day laborer, and doesn't earn enough to afford formula. Without intervention, Marvin is not only at risk for acute malnutrition, but also starvation. For $1,016, Marvin can receive treatment to avoid the adverse effects of lactation failure. “This treatment will supply Marvin with the formula he needs to grow and develop well, both mentally and physically,” WK explains. WK also has a program for his mother in order to ensure that this treatment will produce long term improvements. "His mother will receive education on how to prepare the formula, and our staff will help her prepare for when he starts to make the transition to solid food in a few months," WK adds. "All in all, this treatment will save Marvin’s life and help him get his health back on track.”

Meet Josias, a 10-month-old baby boy from Guatemala with acute malnutrition. According to our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), “Josias is far below the average height for his age and weight for his age. He is slow to develop milestones and at 10 months he cannot sit by himself, say any words at all, crawl or walk.” “Josias has low energy and his family just simply does not have enough money to buy him nutrient-rich food," WK adds. "Without intervention his weight and height will continue to fall away from the growth curve and he will be at risk of the long term effects of malnutrition.” To support their family, Josias’ father works as a day laborer, while his mother weaves fabric to sell. However, their combined income is not enough to afford the medical care that Josias needs. In indigenous Mayan communities like Josias', rates of malnutrition are some of the highest in the world. In the majority of cases, this condition is linked with limited education and regional food insecurity. For $535, Josias will be treated for acute malnutrition. During a three-month period, micronutrient food supplements will be added into his diet, gradually returning him to healthy nutrient levels. Josias’ mother will also take part in an intensive nutrition education, equipping her with the skills and knowledge to care for Josias’ nutritional needs as he continues to develop. WK states, “This treatment will provide Josias with micronutrient and food supplementation as well as medication to stop infections and improve his state of malnutrition. He will start to recoup the height and weight he has lost and his immune system will improve. He will decrease his risk of chronic disease in adulthood, and will have more energy to concentrate and succeed in school.” Josias’ mother expresses, “I just want him to be healthy and strong and be able to study one day.”

Meet Gideon, a three-month-old boy living in Kenya. Gideon was found wrapped in a towel as a newborn alongside a road, and he now resides in a foster home where he has been generally doing well. “Gideon had no major health issues until recently when he became quite irritable,” says our medical partner, American Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Gideon has craniosyntosis, a birth defect in which the plates of his skull fused prematurely. This prevents Gideon’s brain from growing naturally and often results in a misshapen skull. If left untreated, the intracranial pressure may increase, resulting in potential brain damage and/or death. “His condition has been deteriorating,” AMHF shares, “and unfortunately…the home that Gideon lives in is not able to raise the funds for his treatment.” With $1,260, Gideon can undergo a craniotomy to surgically remove a portion of the skull and release the intracranial pressure. “We love Gideon so much,” says Grace, a well-wisher from Gideon's foster home. “It will not be easy for him to grow up knowing that his parents abandoned him. We will give him the best we can to make him feel loved.”

Meet Alex, a 33-year-old man from Kenya. He is married and is just starting off his own family with a four-year-old child, according to our medical partner African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). In March of 2014, Alex was involved in a motorcycle accident and sustained multiple fractures in his right hand. To set the fractures, he underwent surgery to hold the fractures together with a plate. However, last month, his hand started swelling again. According to AMHF, the plate dislodged and re-fractured his ulna. If left untreated, the bone will not fuse together properly and Alex may be unable to use his hand again. Alex used to work as a security guard but has been unable to return since the accident. His family’s sole source of income is his wife’s, who launders their neighbors’ clothes for a living. They are unable to cover the cost of treatment. For $1125, we can fund Alex's surgery and 14 days of bedrest in the hospital. AMHF will perform an open-reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedure that will correct Alex’s misaligned fracture and put the plate back in place. “When I was done the first surgery I hoped I would be well and go back to work but the hand has been giving me problems since then," Alex shares. "I hope this time the surgery will be successful so that I can go back to work and support my family." Let’s help Alex regain the use of his hand, and his independence.