Meet Karen! She is 10 and lives in Guatemala. Karen has Parry-Romberg syndrome, a rare disease that our partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, has struggled to diagnose. Wuqu’ Kawoq writes: "This beautiful young girl has been suffering from progressive atrophy and deformity of her right face for three years. She came to see us six months ago, and we've been thinking really hard about the case, consulting with multiple specialists in Boston and elsewhere." Parry-Romberg syndrome causes progressive loss of bone and muscle in the face. If left untreated, it can lead to extreme and permanent facial deformity. Through all of this, Karen has continued to stay strong. Her doctors describe her as a delightful child with a bright smile and positive outlook. For $1,375, we can help Karen receive treatment that will stop the progressive loss of tissue in her face and give her a chance at a normal life. Let's help Karen win this fight!

Sreyneang is a recently married 28-year-old woman living in Cambodia. When she’s not working at her job at a garment factory, she does things around the house and spends time with her husband. When Sreyneang was 18 months old, she accidentally stuck her hands into a boiling sugar pot. Now she has thickened scar tissue, which is severely limiting the function of her hands. It is hard for her to keep up with work at her job at the garment factory. Two months ago, she received an operation on her left hand, but now that she is healed, the surgeons need to release the scar tissue and apply a skin graft to four fingers on the right hand. For $300, we can pay for Sreyneang to receive a scar tissue release and a skin graft. This treatment will provide Sreyneang with improved function of her hand and greater ability to keep up with her work!

Limpo has a rare, delayed presentation of hydrocephalus that Watsi's Medical Partner says will kill him if left untreated. Hydrocephalus is a life-threatening condition that is normally obvious in newborn babies. Fluid buildup in their brains causes their heads to swell, and they are treated immediately. In Limpo's case, his head gradually grew in size and symptoms slowly crept up. Today, he is too weak to stand or walk. Donations on Watsi will be used to cover the cost of Limpo's life-saving surgery. Let's give this 8-year-old boy a chance to be a normal, healthy kid.

Gift is a handsome little guy from Zambia. Several weeks after he was born, his mother, Lucy, was concerned that his head was growing too rapidly. She sought a doctor’s opinion, but was told her son was fine. After a few months Lucy was still worrying; Gift’s head was continuing to grow. A member of the CURE International staff diagnosed Gift with hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a life-threatening condition in which cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the ventricles of the brain. The build-up of fluid leads to increased pressure in the brain, which can cause seizures, vomiting, and sometimes death. For $1,750, Gift can receive a special surgery called an Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (a minimally invasive procedure in which the neurosurgeon uses a small telescope to relieve fluid buildup in the brain) to fix his condition. This surgery will give him a chance to grow up with his loving mother, Lucy, and lead a normal, happy life.

Chanrith is an 11-year-old boy who broke his elbow three months ago. He was initially treated with traditional creams and a cast made of bamboo by a local healer in his village. Unfortunately, Chanrith’s elbow has set in the wrong place and he is now unable to bend his arm, which makes it nearly impossible to write at school, play with his friends, or live a normal 11-year-old boy life. Luckily, surgeons at Children’s Surgical Centre can reset and cast Chanrith’s fracture. This will enable him to heal properly and regain mobility in his arm. Chanrith is a smart boy. His favorite subject in school is math, and he hopes to be a car mechanic someday. Chanrith is excited to get treated so he can resume his everyday activities.

Kaifa is a 7-year-old boy with clubfoot, a condition that causes the foot to turn inward. Without treatment, it will be difficult for Kaifa to ever walk normally or live an active life. Fortunately, doctors at African Mission Healthcare Foundation can perform surgery to correct Kaifa’s condition. They expect the procedure will relieve his pain and enable him to walk. Kaifa comes from a small village. He was referred to this program specifically because of his family’s inability to pay for his medical care. He looks forward to getting treatment so he can go back to living a normal, 7-year-old life.