Ganesh is a 20-year-old college student who lives with his parents in Nepal. Committed to helping his family financially, Ganesh works full-time at a stone factory while pursuing his bachelor’s degree in business administration. “Ganesh was working in the stone factory when he fell from a height of six feet and ended up fracturing his right arm,” our medical partner, Possible, tells us. “The area of injury has swollen considerably, and he is in a lot of pain.” The injury has not only impacted Ganesh’s ability to work and attend school, but it has also limited his day-to-day activities. “Ganesh has not been able to do even his basic activities like eating, getting dressed, or using the washroom on his own since the accident,” says Possible. Treatment for Ganesh is surgery in which his broken arm “will be aligned correctly and secured with the help of a plate to ensure it heals well,” explains Possible. $579 covers the cost of surgery for Ganesh as well as the costs of four nights in the hospital, X-rays, physiotherapy, medicine to relieve pain and prevent infection, and cast removal after his arm has healed. "I have a lot of responsibilities,” shares Ganesh. “I wish for my arm to be fixed soon so that I can go back to work once it heals.”

“I earnestly wish for her to have no complications because of this in the future,” shares the father of Manisha, a 13-year-old girl living in Nepal. While playing at school, Manisha was hit with a rock and was left with an open wound and a fracture in her right leg. Right now, it is too painful for Manisha to use her right leg and she needs help completing even basic tasks. As a result, Manisha had to be carried on her father’s back for two hours to reach our medical partner, Possible. While Manisha’s parents work in the field, Manisha helps out around the house by looking after cattle and babysitting her younger brother. Although Manisha’s parents work hard, they cannot afford the $579 that would pay for Manisha’s treatment. With your help, Manisha’s bones will be “aligned correctly and secured with the help of pins. Her open wound will also be stitched close,” Possible shares.

Meet Carlos, a one-year-old baby from Guatemala and the youngest of four children. “He loves to play with his toy cars and make sound effects when he drives them along the floor of this house,” shares our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). “Carlos is suffering from malnutrition. His weight and height are far below the average for his age, and he is at for the risk for long-term negative effects of malnutrition,” WK explains. “If left untreated, Carlos will not develop to his full potential physically and mentally, and will hit developmental milestones later than his peers.” WK adds that, without intervention, “Carlos’ energy will decrease, and he will be unable to develop to his full mental potential, thus limiting his ability to concentrate and go far in school. His immune system will weaken, putting him at risk for infections, such as pneumonia, and later in life he will be at higher risk for chronic illness such as diabetes and hypertension.” For $535, we can fund a comprehensive acute malnutrition treatment that will get Carlos back on track. “He will receive micronutrient and food supplementation and his parents will undergo intensive nutrition education so they feel confident continuing his care even after treatment with WK is completed. Carlos’ immune system will strengthen and he will have more energy to play with others and learn from his surroundings,” reports WK. In the words of Carlos’ mother, “I am grateful to God and to the institution for the help that you are bringing to my baby Carlos, so that he can recover. I don’t feel capable of being able to give him all the nutrients necessary for his recovery.” Let’s help Carlos regain his energy and return to a stable course of growth!

“I’d do anything to help my baby recover," shares Esvin's mother. Esvin is a little boy who was born less than one month ago in Guatemala. He lives with his parents and two older siblings. Esvin's family brought him to our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, where he was diagnosed with acute malnutrition. His mother has been unable to produce milk (a condition known as lactation failure), and his parents do not make enough money from fieldwork and weaving to purchase infant formula for him. “Esvin is losing weight, and at the moment barely weighs a pound more than he did when he was born,” explains WK. “Without intervention, Esvin will continue to lose weight and will be at risk of infection, illness, permanent physical and mental damage, and death,” WK shares. For $1220, Esvin will receive 12 months of infant formula. In addition, Esvin’s mother will learn to properly measure and mix the formula and how to introduce solid foods into Esvin’s diet. Esvin will be weighed frequently to ensure adequate growth. WK explains that with formula, “Esvin will immediately start to gain weight and increase in height. His brain and body will recoup the development they previously lost, and his immune system will strengthen. He will avoid the long-term affects of malnutrition and have the chance to grow and thrive like a normal healthy baby should.”

“Chit is extremely fatigued and feels heart palpitations on the left side of her chest,” explains our medical partner, Burma Border Projects. “She has a hard time taking care of her niece and parents because she is so weak and tired.” Chit, a 19-year old woman who lives with her family in Thailand, has a congenital heart condition called atrial septal defect (ASD). ASD refers to a hole in the wall separating the top two chambers (atria) of Chit’s heart, allowing oxygenated and deoxygenated blood to mix. The defect forces her heart and lungs to work harder to provide oxygenated blood to the body, causing fatigue and heart palpitations. Without treatment, the right side of Chit’s heart will grow larger and become weaker, and the blood pressure in her lungs will increase. Chit’s two older brothers work as day laborers near the Thai-Burma border, but the work is inconsistent, and all of the money that they earn is needed to buy food for the family. As a result, Chit, who had to stop working when she got sick, has no money to pay for the life-saving surgery that she needs. For $1500, Chit can receive cardiac catheterization to repair the ASD. In this surgical procedure, doctors use imaging to thread a catheter (a thin, flexible tube inserted into a blood vessel) from the groin to the hole in the heart. They position a mesh patch contained within the catheter to close the hole between the atria and then remove the catheter. Over time, heart tissue grows into and around the mesh to permanently close the hole. Funding for Chit's treatment also includes transportation and post-operative hospital care. “Chit hopes that after surgery she can return to normal life without being tired and in pain,” says Burma Border Projects. “She plans to work again and take care of her elderly parents.” Let’s help Chit achieve her goals!

"We knew for a long time that Jefferson had a problem, but we didn't know what it was,” Jefferson’s parents share. “We're so glad to know what's wrong, and that there is a way to fix it!" The first-born child to office workers in Haiti, three-year-old Jefferson is an intelligent boy who asks a lot of questions and is learning to read. Jefferson’s parents have not put him in preschool yet due to a congenital heart condition known as tetralogy of Fallot. The condition involves a combination of related defects, including a hole between two chambers in the heart that results in blood passing through without being oxygenated. The lack of oxygen in the blood can cause Jefferson to faint, feel weak and be prone to sickness. Without treatment, tetralogy of Fallot can be fatal. Health City Cayman Islands is subsidizing Jefferson's heart surgery, and Watsi donors can support Jefferson with $1,500 to cover the overseas travel expenses and medical preparation he needs before surgery. “Following surgery, Jefferson should be able to lead a normal life with near-normal blood flow through his heart, and no ongoing risk of death from this condition,” explains our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance. “He will probably never need another surgery in his life.”

Meet Daw Ma, a 47-year-old woman from Burma. For the last 20 years, Daw Ma has been a farmer. Due to prior conflict in her village, she did not have the opportunity to go to school, and never learned to read. "She gives most of the harvest as payments to the owner of the land, and to the laborers," shares our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). About one year ago, Daw Ma began to experience heavy bleeding and lower abdominal pain. She was diagnosed with uterine fibroids. "Since then she started to have dizziness, blurred vision, headaches, and back aches. She can’t do work in the farm or house chores when she has severe symptoms,” explains BBP. $1500 will fund gynecological surgery to remove the fibroids. BBP explains: "Treatment will restore her dignity, which is something she feels she has lost since falling ill. She is looking forward to not worrying about her health which she says consumes a lot of her time." "She plans to take full care of her grandchildren in the future, so her daughter can work full time," adds BBP.

"When I had the accident, I was very afraid that I would never walk again. I thank God that I can now walk with crutches and I know that one day I will walk on my own again," says a very optimistic Beatrice, who was recently hit by a car that lost control and drove into a nearby shopping center. 36-year-old Beatrice is married and has three children. She runs her own business in Kenya, buying beans from farmers and selling them at the market. Beatrice’s business does quite well, and she was even able to purchase a few goats with her savings. However, our medical partners at Africa Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF) tell us that Beatrice no longer has any savings and has sold her goats. "She has not been able to work since then [the accident] and has had 2 procedures on her leg. This has left her in debt and she is not able to meet the cost of the bone transport that she now needs." Beatrice is currently fitted with external hardware to support her bone and if not treated soon, she could develop a severe infection that could require amputation of her leg. Bone transport surgery will cost $1,500. Help Beatrice avoid these serious complications and be on the road to recovery!

Meet Hussein, a four-year-old boy from Somalia. Edna Adan Hospital (EAD), our medical partner in Somaliland, shares that, “Hussein sustained severe burns to both of his arms when he fell onto burning charcoal, which is used in traditional household kitchens on the floor for cooking. He now has decreased use of both arms due to burn contractures.” For $1165, we can fund a procedure to release the contractures on Hussein’s right side--a procedure that has already been completed on his left side. “Hussein’s mother is hopeful that he will have restored mobility in his wrist and hands and be able to continue his life as normally as possible.” Let’s help Hussein get back on track!

“I am really looking forward to being a normal boy again,” shares Saw Kyar. “I have been to the hospital many times and I want to be released from having to go to the hospital again and again.” Saw Kyar is a delightful five-year-old boy living with his aunt in Burma! Although he had a difficult upbringing and has faced many challenges, Saw Kyar is growing up well and becoming more active and playful, thanks to the help of family and friends. “Saw Kyar likes playing with his friends and is quite adventurous. He is always looking for different things to do,” says Saw Kyar’s aunt. Saw Kyar has severe burns, causing him serious physical deformities and impaired movement. “He has already received surgery to release a skin contracture on his face, neck, and arm [but] the top of his right foot has also sustained some quite serious burn contractures that make walking long distances difficult,” explain our medical partners at Burma Border Projects (BBP). “If he walks too much and the burn contractures on his foot stretch too far, they begin to split open, causing considerable pain.” “[After surgery] he will be able to walk and play with his friends,” continues BBP, “He will also feel more confident going out in public.” For $1,500, Saw Kyar can finally have the surgery necessary to release the skin contractures. When asked what he wanted to do after surgery Saw Kyar said, “I want to play in my village and go to school.” Let’s get this active boy back running around and playing freely without pain!

“My family is barely having two meals a day,” explains Solomon, a 30-year-old husband and father from Kenya. “I want to get well soon so that I can support my family again." Solomon worked at a bus station, and was helping a passenger unload their baggage six months ago when a motorbike lost control and crashed into him, breaking both of his legs. Solomon’s wife works as a green grocer, providing the only source of income for the family since Solomon's accident. Eager to get back to work, Solomon sought treatment, but the external fixation used is infected where the pins enter his leg. “Solomon is not able to walk without support, and he is experiencing pain and swelling,” note our medical partners at African Mission Healthcare Foundation. “Solomon needs to have the external fixation device and antibiotic spacers removed, then a debridement followed by a bone transport. If surgery is not done, Solomon's leg could become severely infected, and would require amputation.” For $1,500, we can provide Solomon with the treatment required to heal his fracture, fight the infection and prevent amputation. Let’s help Solomon wholly recover from his accident and realize his goal of returning to work and caring for his wife and two children!

"Soe Win is a 28 year old woman who currently suffers from a myoma," Burma Border Projects (BBP) tells us about this independent woman who previously lived and worked in Thailand prior to seeking care. "She is experiencing a lot of pain in her abdomen, so much so that she can no longer stand it." "She cannot eat and sleep well," BBP continues about Soe Win's condition. "She experiences a lot of pain when she is walking and sitting for too long. She cannot lie down flat on her bed and so she can only sleep on one side. She experiences abdominal tenderness and she is very uncomfortable moving around too much." Soe Win has come to seek care at BBP - and the clinicians are ready to help her. $865 would cover the cost of a surgical procedure to remove this mass and relieve Soe Win of discomfort. “Once I am healthy, I will be able to work well and save more money," says Soe Win. "I will continue to try and donate to the needy. I can see my brighter future, because I believe that when the rain stops a rainbow will appear in the sky.” Let's get Soe Win back on her feet.