Sarath is a 37-year-old factory worker from Cambodia. She is married and has two daughters and one son. In her free time, Sarath likes to organize and clean her home. In January, Sarath was in a motorbike accident that caused her to develop a mass on her left thigh. Because the mass continued to grow over time and caused Sarath great pain when walking, Sarath sought out treatment. The mass was successfully removed in June, however an infection in the wound has now developed, requiring further medical attention and care. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $220 to fund treatment for the infection in Sarath's wound. On July 5, surgeons will perform a debridement procedure to remove dead and infected tissue, and the tissue will additionally be biopsied for further examination. Following treatment, Sarath will hopefully be able to live more comfortably again.

Srey Neat is a six-year-old primary school student. She has two sisters and two brothers. She likes to run around her home, play with children in her neighborhood, and draw pictures in her free time. Srey Neat was born with an extra thumb on her left hand. This makes her feel embarrassed around her friends. Srey Neat's mother heard about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), from a neighbor. They traveled for four hours to reach CSC for treatment. Her treatment is scheduled for May 4. Surgeons at CSC will remove the extra thumb, and Srey Neat will feel more comfortable. Srey Neat's treatment will cost $296. Her family cannot afford the cost of the treatment and are appealing to Watsi for financial assistance.

Lowel is a three-year-old boy from the Philippines. He lives with his parents and siblings in a wooden house. Lowell loves to play ball. His parents earn a living from farming. Lowel has thin arms and legs, and his growth is stunted for his age. He has been diagnosed with moderately acute malnutrition. Malnutrition threatens Lowel's growth and development and could even be fatal if not addressed. Fortunately, he will begin $184 malnutrition treatment on February 20. Lowel will be treated by International Care Ministries (ICM), a Watsi medical partner. One out of five children under five in ICM communities is either severely or moderately malnourished. Worldwide, poor nutrition is associated with nearly half of all deaths in young children. In remote communities and urban slums of the Philippines, the lack of clean water and unclean environments add risk to potentially fatal childhood diseases. ICM’s home-based feeding program provides nutrient-enriched food packs to ensure malnourished children get additional food to regain normal weight and achieve optimum physical and mental development. After identifying a child as malnourished, staff and community volunteers make weekly visits to monitor this child’s progress. To help sustain the health of the child, ICM’s professional staff educate the mother, guardian, or other family members about proper nutrition, sanitation, hygiene, and organic vegetable gardening. His family hopes that he will "finish his studies and reach his dreams."

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.

Nay Myo is a nine-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his parents and has one older brother. Nay Myo's parents work as day laborers. They cut grasses, plant vegetation, and collect bamboo shoots. When Nay Myo was three months old, he fell very sick. He was subsequently diagnosed with thalassemia, a blood disorder characterized by an abnormal oxygen-carrying protein. Symptoms of this condition include fatigue, anemia, and trouble breathing. In order to treat these symptoms, Nay Myo has to receive oral medications and blood transfusions on a regular basis. Thalassemia has also caused Nay Myo's spleen to enlarge. After examination, his doctors decided to remove the spleen before other medical complications arise. On January 18, Nay Myo will undergo a splenectomy. Our medical partner is asking for $1,500 to fund the surgery. Nay Myo's mother is inspired by the caring hospital staff. She says, "I want Nay Myo to be an educated person and work like the staff."

Fedline is a ten-year-old student who enjoys going to school and spending time with her family and friends. Fedline lives in a very rural area in the mountains of southwestern Haiti. She hikes down a trail to reach a larger community. Fedline was born with a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect, a condition which a hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen. Fedline needs to undergo surgery to repair her heart. First, Fedline will undergo a full cardiac assessment on January 17. This assessment will include physical exams, labs, and an overnight stay at the hospital. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to fund these procedures. Funding for Redline also covers the cost of medications and social support for her and her family. Gift of Life International is contributing $3,500 to cover additional costs associated with Fedline's surgical care. "We are very happy that Fedline can have this surgery, so that she can have more energy and not get tired so often," says Fedline's mother.

Brandon is an adventurous two-year old boy from Kenya. He lives with his mother and father, and two siblings. Brandon's mother looks after the children, while his father works as a gardener at a local primary school. A few months ago, Brandon started experiencing pain in his lower abdomen. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was diagnosed with a right inguinal hernia, a condition in which tissue protrudes through a weakening in the abdominal wall. From there, Brandon was referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH). Beginning on January 25, Brandon will be receiving treatment from BKKH. Our medical partner is asking for $423 to cover the cost of Brandon's repair surgery, labs, and medication. Brandon and his family are all looking forward to him getting well!

Meet Nyabukye, a 31-year-old woman from Uganda. She is the mother of three children, and she works on the farm with her husband. After giving birth to her second child in 2013, Nyabukye developed a hernia in her left inguinal region. This condition caused her pain and discomfort, but she never received treatment. She became unable to dig, lift heavy items, or walk long distances. Recently, Nyabukye visited our medical partner's care center, Holy Family Virika Hospital, after her neighbor told her about a surgical procedure that might alleviate her pain. On November 16, she underwent a hernia repair surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $249 to fund this procedure. After recovery, Nyabukye hopes to keep working to provide for her family.

Phat, a 75-year-old farmer, is married with three sons and two daughters. He likes to stay at home and listen to the news on the radio. Two years ago, Phat developed skin cancer in his left ear, and the mass is slowly growing. He experiences pain and difficulty hearing. The medication he is using is not helping with his symptoms. When Phat learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On October 7, CSC surgeons performed an excision and flap surgery to remove the cancerous mass. After recovery, Phat can continue his work as a farmer. Now, he needs help to fund this $224 procedure. "I hope to have a normal ear without pain," he says.

Bridgette is a tiny, one-month-old baby girl from Kenya who has hydrocephalus, a condition caused by excess cerebral spinal fluid and manifests itself in an enlarged head circumference. Bridgette’s mother stays at home to take care of Bridgette and her 5-year-old brother, who just started school. Bridgette’s father supports them through his M-Pesa stand (mobile money transfer agent). He doesn’t make much money, and they cannot afford to pay Bridgette’s medical bills. They urgently need help to pay for Bridgette’s operation to help her live a long and healthy life. It was discovered that Bridgette had hydrocephalus through a scan during one of her mother’s prenatal checkups. She was delivered prematurely through C-Section in a hospital near home, and was admitted immediately after birth since her symptoms became worse. She needed specialized treatment, but the hospital she was in didn’t have the resources to help her. They were referred to Bethany Kids at Kijabe Hospital where Bridgette was seen by a consultant. He advised Bridgette’s parents that she needed and operation to help manage the growth of her head and prevent further complications such as brain damage and delayed milestones. For $685, Bridgette will undergo the shunt procedure she needs to live a healthy life. “I am glad to have found a place where Bridgette can be treated. My only plea is that you will help fund for her surgery as I have no means," shared Bridgette’s mother.

Fahim was born on March 25, 2013 in Tanzania. He is the second child in the family, and he likes to run around even though he easily falls down when running. He also enjoys playing with cars and being around other children. Fahim's mother noticed his legs were unusually bowed outwards when he was still a baby, but she thought he would outgrow the condition. When he turned one year old, the condition was worse than before. She decided to take him to the hospital where she was told nothing could be done because he was still too young. As Fahim continues to grow, his legs continue to bow outwards, making it more difficult for him to run and much easier for him to fall down. He has a condition called genu valgus or "knocked knees." Fahim’s mother runs a small business of selling second hand clothes and his father sells at a kiosk. They both work hard to support their two children, one of whom is going to school. The little that they earn is not enough to cover the cost of operation which Fahim needs. The operation, which costs $940, will prevent Fahim from developing osteoarthritis at a young age and allow him to walk straight. Fahim’s parents wish their son will have the ability to walk normally like other children, so that he can easily walk to school.

Three-month-old Andent lives in southern Ethiopia with his mother and father. He is very cute and loves to play and laugh. His father does not have a permanent job and works as a daily laborer with a low income. Andnet's mother is a house wife. Andnet was born with Hirschsprung's Disease, or an abnormally functioning segment of the bowel. He has suffered with partial bowel obstruction & severe constipation. The problem was temporarily solved after Andnet underwent a colostomy. Now, doctors at our medical partner will conduct a pull-through procedure. Done with an endoscope, the surgeon removes the blockage and tissue. The healthy sections of bowel are then reconnected. Because of their low financial status, Andnet's parents cannot afford the medical care their child needs. Treatment and surgery will cost $1,500. His condition is troublesome and both his parents are affected as a result of it. “My daily income is very low and for this reason we can’t pay the bill by ourselves and get our child the treatment," shares Andnet's father. "This worries us a lot.”