Evelyn is a two-month-old girl from Guatemala. She is her parents' first child, and they feel blessed to have Evelyn in their lives. Evelyn’s father works as a bus attendant, and her mother stays at home to take care of her. The family enjoys going to church together. Due to feeding difficulties, Evelyn has not been able to gain the proper nutrients needed during this delicate time for brain development. Nutritionists at our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, provided a preliminary supply of formula to improve Evelyn's diet while a nutritional plan is developed for her to begin formal treatment. Through a combination of formula and nutritional education, Evelyn will receive the calories she needs to grow and thrive. She is scheduled to begin treatment on January 19. "I hope that my daughter has the best opportunities to move forward in life," says Evelyn's mother. Wuqu' Kawoq is requesting $1,107 to fund Evelyn's treatment. Proper nutrition will make Evelyn's immune system strengthen, and she will grow to be a healthy, energetic baby.

Meet Eliezer, an eight-year-old boy from the Dominican Republic. Eliezer lives with his grandparents and sister. His father and mother work in a nearby city as a police officer and a house maid. Of all of his second grade classes, Eliezer loves math the most. He hopes to be a math teacher when he grows up. Eliezer was born with a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect, meaning there is a hole between the two upper chambers of his heart. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him sickly and weak. If untreated, Eliezer’s condition could carry potential life-threatening repercussions, such as heart failure and high blood pressure. Eliezer will eventually need to undergo cardiac surgery to close the hole in his heart. However, before that can take place, he needs to receive a full cardiac assessment, which will include physical exams, lab tests, medications, and an overnight stay at the hospital. For $1,500, we can fund Eliezer’s assessment on February 8, as well as social support for Eliezer and his family during this challenging chapter of their lives. Gift of Life International has also contributed $7,000 to other costs associated with Eliezer’s care. "We are hopeful that after this surgery Eliezer will be able to be a normal boy and able to play with his friends without getting tired,” shares Eliezer’s grandmother.

Mareth is a 33-year-old farmer who is married and has one son. She likes to go to the farm, chat with her friends, and do housework. When she was a child, Mareth developed an ear infection in her right ear. The infection perforated the tympanic membrane of that ear. Since then, she has experienced ear discharge and hearing loss. Despite taking medication from a pharmacy, her symptoms did not improve. When Mareth learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for four hours to seek treatment. On December 27, ENT surgeons at CSC performed a myringoplasty surgery on Mareth's right ear to repair the perforated tympanic membrane and stop the discharge. After recovery, her hearing will improve. CSC is requesting $399 to fund this procedure. "I hope that I will have good hearing," says Mareth, "and that I can go to work easily."

Sophea is a 55-year-old rice farmer with five sons, one daughter, and two grandchildren. He likes to watch boxing on TV. One year ago, Sophea developed a pterygium growth in each eye, causing him blurred vision, itchiness, irritation, and cloudy lenses. It is difficult for him to see things clearly, do any work, and go anywhere outside. When Sophea learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On October 21, CSC surgeons removed the pterygium in each eye. Now, Sophea needs help to pay for this $148 procedure. After recovery, he should be able to see clearly. "I hope that I look better and feel comfortable again," he says. "I want to feed my chickens to support my family. I hope to go anywhere outside on my own."

Daw Kyi is a 60-year-old Burmese woman who has lived in a refugee camp in Thailand since 2000. In 1999, Daw Kyi’s husband passed away, leaving her with one son. When an illness paralyzed one side of her son's body, the two traveled to the refugee camp for free treatment. Daw Kyi's son received successful treatment, but they remain in the refugee camp to this day because they cannot afford to return home. A few years ago, Daw Kyi began experiencing uncomfortable symptoms in a sensitive area. These symptoms disrupted her work as a day laborer planting rice or harvesting corn. Despite learning that she needed surgery, Daw Kyi could not afford treatment. Now, Daw Kyi has difficulty walking or standing for long periods of time. She has lost her appetite, and she sleeps poorly at night. Her symptoms prevent her from working. Fortunately, on October 19, 2016, Daw Kyi underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy with Watsi's medical partner, Burma Border Projects. This procedure should prevent further pain and discomfort. She needs help to pay her $1,500 healthcare costs. "When I am well enough," says Daw Kyi, "I will make and sell snacks as I used to do.” Let's help Daw Kyi return to her normal lifestyle!

Joseph is an 18-year-old boy from Tanzania. He was born with bilateral club feet -- a condition in which the feet turn inward, causing difficulty walking and performing everyday tasks. Joseph was treated when he was 10 years old, but unfortunately the treatment was ineffective. He returned to The Plaster House, a Watsi partner care center, seeking treatment again. Joseph is currently participating in an apprenticeship in the workshop of a local safari company. He really enjoys this, but is desperate to have his condition corrected. Treatment will ensure that he has better gait, and will prevent early onset arthritis. The total cost of $1,160 includes cast changes, rehabilitation, and a small surgery. Joseph lives with his grandparents who care for him - he is keen to start caring for them as they get older. "I am excited to walk normally," Joseph shared. "I would like to be able to walk through the village without people looking at me (due to the clubfoot)."

Sokha is a forty-year-old woman married with one daughter in Cambodia. She enjoys visiting the pagoda and listening to the monks pray. About two years ago, Sokha developed a pterygium in each eye, a fleshy pink growth on her conjuctiva and obscures her eyeball. This causes her blurred vision, pain, and constant burning. Sokha traveled four hours with her brother to reach Watsi's medical partner, Children's Surgical Center, for treatment. Eye surgeons at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Center will remove the pterygium from each eye. This will improve her vision and stop the pain, burning, irritation, and discomfort. $148 in funding will cover surgical costs and steroid eye drops to prevent inflammation and future re-growth. Let's help Sokha receive the medical treatment she needs, so that she can visit the pagoda again with clear vision.

Sainani is a farmer from Malawi's Central Region. He and his wife have seven children and six grandchildren. When Sainani isn't busy farming, he enjoys crafting and going to church. Nine months ago, Sainani started experiencing urinary symptoms related to an enlarged prostate. Benign prostatic hyperplasia causes the prostate to squeeze or partly block the urethra, leading to problems urinating. Until now, he has not been able to access medical treatment, and is feeling very excited that he will be able to receive surgery. He will undergo surgery to remove part of the prostate. The treatment will cost $742, and will greatly improve the urine flow through the urethra. His family is happy and has accepted that he will be undergoing an operation. He hopes to return home quickly so he can go back to work to provide for his family.

Lae Lae is a 40-year-old woman who lives in Burma. She lives with her husband, 18-year-old daughter, 14 year-old son and 12-year-old daughter. Lae Lae first experienced gynecological symptoms in September of 2014. Her present symptoms include pain in the abdomen, back and lower body. She is unable to work as she is easily overcome with fatigue due to lack of sleep. She also suffers from chronic hypertension and late onset diabetes. In addition, her appetite decreased, resulting in loss of weight. She is concerned about her condition as it is quite painful. She has been confirmed by ultrasound and physical examination to have a uterine mass. Lae Lae is disappointed that she cannot fulfill her chores as a mother and housewife. Her husband has taken on more of the chores such as cleaning, cooking and looking after the children. His salary is not sufficient to meet all of the family’s expenses so he occasionally borrows money from a moneylender at 20% interest. They are unable to save money or meet major medical expenses. In her intake interview, Lae Lae said: “I hope to regain my strength so I can be the mother that my family needs. If I fully recover, I have ambitious plans to buy land and open up a shop selling dry goods."

Magali is suffering from malnutrition, a cough, and diarrhea. Her mother and father knew she was malnourished because the community health center told them when they went to weigh her, but they have never received treatment or advice. Magali is far below the average height for her age and the average weight for her age. Her diarrhea is preventing her from absorbing much-needed nutrients and puts her at risk of dehydration. Without intervention, Magali’s weight and height will continue to fall away from the curve and she will be at risk for the long-term effects of malnutrition. Her physical and mental development and growth will be stunted, preventing her from reaching her full potential. Her immune system will continue to weaken and her parents will likely have to spend money (that they do not have) on medication and medical consult/ transport to consult. Magali is a social little girl who loves to sing, especially when she at church with her mom. She often plays with a doll given to her by her sister Veronica. Magali and Veronica play together every day, while their mother works cleaning for the house and caring for the children and their father is a farmer. She loves to eat fruit, her favorite of which is papaya. This treatment will supply Magali with the growth monitoring, micronutrient and food supplementation, and medication needed for her to increase her overall caloric intake, treat her diarrhea and cough, and recoup some of the weight and height she has lost. Her mother will receive intensive nutrition education thus building her confidence and ability to care for Magali throughout her childhood. Her father and mother will not need to constantly worry about her. Intervention now will prevent the future devastating effects of malnutrition, and give Magali the chance to live a healthy productive life.

Sopheap is a 54-year-old crop farmer who lives in Cambodia with her husband, four sons, two daughters, and four grandchildren. She enjoys watching Khmer dramas on TV and listening to the monks pray at the pagoda. She used to work in the fields, supporting her family well. Three years ago, Sopheap developed a pterygium--non-cancerous growths of conjunctiva--in each eye. They have caused her blurred vision, itchiness, irritation, redness, and tearing. She is very uncomfortable when she goes outside and cannot travel far because of the bright sunshine, which there is a lot of in Cambodia due to its close proximity to the equator. Thus she traveled four hours to seek treatment from our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre. For $150, Sopheap will undergo a procedure to scrape the conjunctiva from her cornea and place a graft to cover the defect and prevent recurrence. The total cost covers the surgery, supplies, and two days of inpatient care. Sopheap’s procedure will resolve her tearing, itching, and burning eyes. She looks forward to being independent again and not having to worry about her vision worsening. “I hope my eye will return to normal,” she says, “and I will no longer feel pain. I want to continue my work on the farm fields, and after my procedure I will be able to do so safely.”

Soe is a 27-year-old woman who lives with her husband in Burma. Soe came to our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), seeking treatment for gallstones. The gallbladder—a small, pear-shaped organ that sits under the liver—stores and drains bile. When an individual has gallstones, bile drainage may be blocked, causing irritation, spasms, pain, nausea, and vomiting. “Soe is experiencing stomach and lower back pain making it difficult for her to sleep and eat,” BBP tells us. “Usually, when she eats, she feels nauseous and needs to vomit.” Until recently, Soe had a job as a waitress at a hotel restaurant in Thailand, but her symptoms made it impossible for her to work. Facing financial trouble, she and her husband returned to Burma in the hopes of finding treatment for Soe and receiving support from their family. For $1,500, Soe will undergo a laparotomy, a surgical procedure to access the abdominal cavity and remove the gallbladder. Funding also covers the costs of an eight-day hospital stay, transportation to and from the hospital, pre- and post-surgical consultations, and blood tests. “Soe should fully recover following her gallstone surgery,” says BBP. “She should be able to return to her family and again find a job so that she and her husband can save money for their future.” Soe looks forward to a successful operation. “I will work and save money for the next few years, and then, one day, we will have a happy family,” she shared in her pre-operative interview with BBP.