60-year-old Mary is a farmer from Malawi. She lives with her husband, and they have five children and ten grandchildren. Mary works very hard to care for her family, and in her spare time she enjoys chatting with her friends. Since January this year, Mary has been experiencing pain and bleeding in a sensitive area. She was subsequently diagnosed with cervical cancer and urgently needs a hysterectomy. Mary and her family share that they were thrilled to be introduced to Watsi. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, has organized for Mary to undergo her surgery on June 13. The total cost of Mary's medical bill is $650.

Clarish is a three-year-old girl from the Philippines. She was born with an abnormal bowel malformation. In October of 2015, Clarish underwent a successful, Watsi-funded colostomy surgery. Clarish received a second surgery in May of 2016 to further repair her condition. Now, Clarish is set to receive her final surgery. Doctors at our medical partner's care center, Zamboanga Doctor’s Hospital, will complete the process of care, and Clarish will be able to develop normally. Clarish is scheduled for surgery on April 15. Our medical partner is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of the operation. "We are so happy and thankful that Clarish has already undergone the procedures needed for her to get well, and that this is the last one," Clarish's mother says. "Thank you so much in advance for your help. We are looking forward her fast recovery, and hope that she will grow strong and healthy and fulfill her dreams one day."

Ny is a 43-year-old farmer from Cambodia. He and his wife have three sons and a daughter. In his spare time, Ny likes to fish and plant vegetables around his home. In January, Ny sustained an injury to his left hand, damaging his ulnar nerve. The injury continues to cause Ny pain and interfere with his ability to work. With his symptoms unresolved after an initial treatment, Ny traveled with his wife to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). On February 22, surgeons there will perform a nerve and tendon repair procedure to allow him to use his hand again. CSC is requesting $450 to fund this treatment.

Brenda is a nine-month-old baby girl from Guatemala. She lives with her parents and three older siblings. On Sundays, her family enjoys being together and attending mass. Brenda's favorite foods are hard boiled eggs and bananas. Brenda was recently diagnosed with malnutrition. On February 16, Brenda will begin treatment at our medical partner's care center, Clinic Tecpán. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is asking for $437 to cover the costs of nutrient and food supplementation. This will also pay for an education program that will teach her mother how to create a nutrient-rich diet from limited resources. "I am very happy, because I hope that through the program, my daughter will be able to improve her development," says Brenda's mother.

Gloria is seven months old and lives with her mother in rural Guatemala. She has malnutrition, a dangerous condition that results from consuming too little protein, calories, and nutrients. Malnutrition has left Gloria with a weakened immune system and little energy. Recently, Gloria has not wanted to eat and gets sick often. If Gloria does not receive treatment, she will also face malnutrition’s long-term consequences, such as increased risk of chronic diseases, low IQ, and higher likelihood of dropping out of school. Gloria’s mother says, “I want my daughter to get better soon, because she worries me a lot.” Fortunately, Gloria will begin nutritional treatment on January 16. While her mother does all that she can to support Gloria’s health, she cannot afford treatment for her daughter’s malnutrition without outside help. Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, is requesting $1,107 to fund her care. Treatment will give Gloria’s family tools to maintain nutritious diets, and it will give Gloria a chance to grow healthily.

Avila is a 13-month-old girl from rural Guatemala. Both her parents work very hard to provide for their family and want the best for their young daughter. Avila is currently experiencing the detrimental effects of malnutrition, which include stunted growth and a weakened immune system. Her malnutrition is the result of a diet low in protein, calories, and nutrients. In the long term, she could face increased risk of chronic diseases, a low IQ, and a higher likelihood of dropping out of school. Fortunately, this condition can be easily treated with growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation. On January 19, young Avila will begin treatment at our medical partner's care center, Clinic Tecpán. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is requesting $437 to fund her treatment. Treatment will give Avila the opportunity to grow at the same rate as her peers, play freely, and enjoy her time with her family. Most importantly, it will give her the chance to live a full, healthy life.

Patricia is a maize and groundnut farmer from Malawi. Her three children and four grandchildren help her on the farm. In her free time, Patricia likes to relax and chat with her children, grandchildren, and village friends. In 2013, Patricia developed abdominal pain. She delayed getting care because she could not afford treatment. When she finally visited our medical partner's hospital, Nkhoma District Hospital, she was diagnosed with a hernia. On November 17, Patricia underwent a repair surgery. Now, Patricia needs help to fund this $327 procedure. She looks forward to recovering and taking care of her family.

This is Amisha, a seven-year-old girl from Nepal who is currently studying in grade two. Her father works in India to support the family back home while her mother works in the field and watches the cattle. The yield from the family fields is enough to support them for only three months of the year. One day, Amisha was playing on a rope swing when it broke suddenly, and she landed on a rock. The fall fractured her left hand, leaving it swollen and painful. Amisha has been in pain ever since. Because of her hand's condition, she is unable to attend school and needs constant help with daily activities like eating and getting dressed. In hopes of finding treatment for Amisha, her parents walked for five hours to visit Watsi's medical partner, Possible. For $195, orthopedic surgeons at Bayalpata Hospital will place metal rods, pins, or screws to set Amisha's wrist in its correct position. With time and physical therapy, Amisha's wrist will be healed, and she will no longer be in pain. Amisha's father shares with us, "I wish Amisha's treatment happens soon." Let's support this family so that Amisha can regain her left hand function and return to school.

Lowasa is a 12-year-old boy who is the fifth of his mother's ten children. Lowasa is currently in second grade. Lowasa's parents are peasant farmers and have a few animals. His father works hard to allow his children to go to school. Lowasa's legs started to bend when he was little, and he feels pain in his knees when he walks long distances. He eventually went to have a consultation regarding his legs, and was diagnosed with genu valgus or "knocked knees." $940 will cover the surgery to stabilize his knees and straighten his legs, as well as the post-operative rehabilitation. Lowawa said, "I will be so happy to go home and for people to see that I once had bent legs and now they are straight."

Ann is a middle aged woman from Nakuru, Kenya. She is a mother to two children. Her husband has hip problems and has not been able to work since 2013. The family relies on help from neighbors, and they live in a four roomed house, which is incomplete as the husband got sick before its completion. He was the sole provider of the family. Ann used to sell cakes to supplement her family income. She has since stopped as she is not able to walk with ease. In 2013 September, Ann complained of back pains and made several visits to the hospital. She was given pain management drugs. She needed an x-ray which she took after several months due to financial burdens. The images indicated swollen veins and muscle on her back and legs. In 2015, after several clinical visits, she had an MRI done which indicated that Ann had arthritis. Ann is not able to walk or move with ease and has thus stopped working. She has to rely on friends to assist her as her husband is bedridden. If not treated, Ann will continue having a lot of pain and numbness. She risks having permanent disability. Surgery was recommended but she has not been able to raise the amount needed. A spinal fusion will cost $1500, and is expected to significantly improve Ann's condition. “I want to be well to work and provide for my family," Ann shared.

31-year-old Chhlonh is a farmer who lives with his wife and daughter in Cambodia. When he is not tending to his farm, he enjoys caring for his daughter, listening to the radio, and playing football with his friends. Chhlonh began having ear discharge and hearing loss from his ears when he was 13 years old. Now, he still experiences recurrent discharge, hearing loss, pain, and ringing in his ears (tinnitus). Chhlonh traveled two hours with his brother-in-law to reach Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), where doctors discovered a cholesteatoma in both ears. A cholesteatoma is an abnormal skin growth located behind the eardrum. It initially develops as a cyst after chronic ear infections or perforation of the eardrum. Over time, the cyst sheds layers of old skin that collect within the ear. Without treatment, a cholesteatoma can grow large enough to cause hearing loss, dizziness, or facial paralysis. Our ear, nose, and throat surgeons will perform a mastoidectomy on Chhlonh's right ear to remove the cholesteatoma. $809 pays for Chhlonh's surgery as well as two hearing tests, one night in the hospital, one day of inpatient post-operative care, and three outpatient follow-up visits in the month following surgery. After the cholesteatoma is removed, Chhlonh's ear pain and discharge will stop.

“We dream that our son will grow big and heathy, and be able to study when he is older,” shares Axel’s father. Two-month-old Axel is acutely malnourished because his mother cannot produce breast milk. She has been giving him water with sugar and rice. But he has still been losing weight steadily, and now weighs much less than when he was born. Recently, Axel has been crying and coughing a lot. With an immune system weakened by severe weight loss, even a simple cough or fever could be life-threatening. If Axel does not receive treatment soon, he could face the risk of seizures, permanent brain damage, and death. Axel is the youngest of four in his family. They live in a one-room house in a rural community in the mountains of Guatemala. His father works as a day laborer, making very little money when he finds work, and often having no source of income for days at a time. Axel’s mother spends her days caring for him and his siblings, cooking, and cleaning. Although Axel's life is in danger right now, treatment is simple and effective. For $1,016, he will receive formula for one year, until he is able to consume normal foods. This will help him gain weight, and develop normally both mentally and physically. His immune system will grow stronger, and his life will no longer be in danger. Furthermore, his mother and other family members will receive motivational nutrition classes in their home, so they will be able to know what foods to feed Axel so he can overcome his case of malnutrition and life a full and healthy life. Let’s help this family guide their son into a healthy childhood.