Meet Gloria, a one-week-old baby girl from Kenya. Gloria has a spina bifida, which is an open leaking mass on her back. This is a birth defect caused by an incomplete closing of the backbone and membranes around the spinal cord. “Because of the leaking mass on her back, Gloria was immediately referred for specialized treatment,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “If not treated, Gloria is likely to develop spine complications such as kyphosis or scoliosis. She is also likely to develop infections through the open cyst on her back.” Gloria’s mother lives with her aunt and cousins following her parents’ death earlier this year. “Gloria’s mother depends on her aunt for support,” shares AMHF. “Gloria's grand-aunt is a small-scale farmer, while her grand-uncle is a motorcycle taxi operator.” With $805, Gloria will receive spina bifida closure surgery. This will help reduce the risk of developing infections or spine complications. “I have never seen a condition like this before!” shares Gloria’s mother. “I know I have to be strong but I am scared at the same time. Please help me get treatment for Gloria.”

Meet Margaret, a 49-year-old woman living in Kenya. She is married and a mother of three children, and runs a small waste collection business with her husband. According to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), “Margaret first discovered a lump in her left breast early last year. She did not think much of it. Sometime this year however, she began experiencing pain whenever she lifted her hand and in her left side.” A biopsy done last month revealed that the lump was cancerous. Margaret's cancer causes her pain and makes it difficult for her work. If not treated, it could spread to Margaret’s other organs, resulting in death. With $740, Margaret will undergo a mastectomy, a surgery that removes cancerous tissue from the breast. After recovery, she will be cancer-free and able to work again. Margaret looks forward to her life post-surgery, when she can continue to support her husband and help expand their business, which is still young. “He has been a good husband and father and I would not want to cause his worry,” she says, smiling at her husband.

Meet 74-year-old Eng, a mother of five and grandmother of fifteen from Cambodia! “Eng enjoys going to the pagoda to watch the monks pray,” reports our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). “Since developing a cataract in her left eye one month ago, Eng has been unable to see clearly,” continues CSC. “She is partially blind, and she cannot cook, care for her family, or visit the pagoda.” Yen has a hypermature cataract, which is the most advanced stage of a clouded eye lens, resulting in severely diminished vision. With $150 in funding, Yen can undergo surgery to remove her cataract and fully restore her vision. This cost includes the procedure, surgical supplies, medical instruments, patient food, pre and post-op consultation with medical staff, center operating costs, and medication. CSC confirms, “Eng will be able to see clearly out of her left eye again.” Eng is eager to receive treatment and return to her daily life. CSC shares, “She wants her left eye to see everything clearly and not have to worry that it will go blind so she can do work by herself, go to the pagoda, join any ceremony, and easily go anywhere outside.”

Meet Mary, a 40-year-old woman from Uganda. Mary has been experiencing lower abdominal pain for four years as a result of uterine fibroids. Her condition causes her to have swelling in her abdomen and excessive menstrual bleeding. As a result of her fibroids, she is also predisposed to anemia and urinary tract infections. A few years ago, Mary was forced to quit her job as a cook in order to look after her ill mother. Although Mary sold some pigs to generate income, she cannot afford treatment for her and her mother. Mary has four sisters and three brothers, all of whom were forced to stop their education before or during secondary school due to lack of money. “I shared with various people about my sickness but no one has ever offered to help me,” says Mary. “I am grateful to Watsi for the good spirit they have towards the poor.” For $250, Mary will receive a total abdominal hysterectomy. “We expect after the procedure, Mary will recover fully,” says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. “She will be free from the pain, bleeding, risk of anemia, and risk of urinary tract infections.”

“Keyner is a happy baby. He loves to play with his neighbors and cousins. The other kids enjoy having him around, and often times call him hermanito (‘little brother’) even if they are unrelated to him," says our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK). This baby brother to all is Keyner, a six-month-old boy from Guatemala. Shortly after his birth, Keyner’s father left his family. Keyner lives with his mother, who has been unable to breastfeed due to lactation failure. Keyner has been subsiding on “atol, typically consisting of boiled water and pulverized corn," says WK. "However, without the immune resistance from him mother’s breast milk, Keyner’s immune system has become extremely weak. He was admitted to the hospital for 15 days due to a high fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. He is rapidly losing weight and in constant need of medical attention.” Thankfully, lactation failure is easily solved. With $1,220, WK will provide “nutrition education, formula supplementation, and deworming medication" for Keyner and his mother. "His diarrhea due to a parasitic infection will stop, he will recoup previously lost weight, and his immune system will strengthen," WK adds. “I want my child to be able to study and become a professional… not like me. I have never studied, and now I cannot get a job to support us," shares Keyner's mother. "I want to see my baby grown, to see him smiling and walking. Above all I want to be the one to bring up my son.”

Meet Teresia, a 36-year-old woman from Kenya. "Teresia is married and a mother of four. Her eldest son has just finished high school and is hoping to join a college or university, while the rest are still in school," says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "Teresia lives in her matrimonial rural home and works on their one acre of land (she has planted maize) while her husband lives in the city and works at a gas station." Two weeks ago, Teresia had a mastectomy to prevent the spread of breast cancer. To fund this treatment, Teresia and her husband raised over $1,000. However, she developed post-surgical complications, and needs a second surgery to treat a post-surgical wound. Teresia needs to undergo debridement, the removal of infected tissue, and a skin graft, the transplantation of skin, to treat her open wound. She does not have the funds for this additional surgery, which will cost $940. "If the surgery is not done soon, Teresia could develop an infection which would further complicate her recovery," explains AMHF. “I thank God for sending you our way,” says Teresia. “My husband has been worrying about how we will be able to pay for this treatment. I want to get well soon so that I can go back to working on our farm."

"My prayer is that I get well and my family is restored. I want to have a good relationship with my husband again," says Tabitha. Meet Tabitha, a 49-year-old woman from Kenya. Tabitha is married and a mother of two sons who are attending college. Tabitha has been diagnosed with breast cancer in her left breast. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF) explains, “Tabitha first noticed a lump in her left breast late last year. She visited a local dispensary and was advised to seek care at a national referral hospital. However due to the large number of patients awaiting care at the hospital, and the pain she is experiencing, Tabitha came to [a partner hospital of AMHF] hoping for faster service." "Tabitha feels pain in her left breast and around her left shoulder. She used to sell milk but has been unable to work for the past few months," AMHF continues. “If not treated soon, the cancer could spread to other vital organs in Tabitha’s body and this could result in death.” Tabitha's husband owns a small automobile spare-parts shop and supports their children’s education and basic needs of the family. However, Tabitha and her husband have been estranged for a few years, and he will not be helping Tabitha cover the cost of treatment. “Tabitha's brothers have helped her raise some money for treatment but it is not enough. She is not able to cover the cost of treatment," AMHF shares. For $740, Tabitha will receive a mastectomy. Doctors expect that after treatment and recovery, Tabitha will be able to go back to work and live cancer-free. Let’s give Tabitha a hand in this difficult time and help her access the healthcare she needs.

Meet 16-year-old Zin Zin from Burma. Zin Zin is a bright young student with dreams of becoming an engineer. She lives with her parents, two sisters and grandmother. Last year, Zin Zin had to put her schooling on hold after she was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the nasal cavity. The lymphoma in her nasal cavity spread into her eye cavity causing her eye to become displaced. Zin Zin says she is not experiencing pain, but her bulging right eye has made her self-conscious. As the tumor continues to grow, Zin Zin ha started losing her eyesight. Although Zin Zin’s father works hard as a porter at a train station, he earns just enough to cover the family’s day-to-day needs and cannot support the extra expense of surgery. For $1500, doctors can remove the tumor in her nasal cavity and the detached damaged eye. Let’s help Zin Zin get healthy so she can return to school and pursue her dreams of becoming an engineer!

Meet Jedidah, a beautiful mother of three from Kenya. Jedidah works incredibly hard doing casual work around her village - all while raising three kids on her own! Last year, Jedidah realized she had a growth on her right breast. Her family and friends came together to raise enough money for the growth to be removed. However, her breast continued to swell. Jedidah was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is now in constant pain and at risk of the cancer spreading to other organs. “I need to get well because my children depend on me," she tells us. "I want to be able to take care of them.” For $830, Jedidah can receive a mastectomy, which is expected to completely clear her cancer. This surgery will allow Jedidah to go back to work, take care of her children, and live comfortably again.