Princess is a two-month-old girl who lives with her parents in Kenya. Her father is a carpenter and her mother stays home to care for her. Princess was born with spina bifida, a congenital condition caused by an incomplete vertebrae closing around the spinal cord. This causes areas of the spinal cord to bulge outwards, forming a mass. The mass causes Princess to be in a lot of pain, and has taken an emotional toll on her parents. “Princess's agonizing cries, whenever the mass is touched, crushes their soul. They do their best to comfort and sooth her, but are always left feeling helpless,” says her doctor at African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Without treatment, Princess is at risk for developing complications, such as paralysis or scoliosis, an abnormal spinal curvature. Fortunately, AMHF can help Princess and her family. Spina bifida closure surgery will cost a total of $805 and “will help prevent risk of infections, development of a tethered spinal cord and paralysis of Princess's legs.” “Please help our firstborn daughter make it,” adds Princess’ mother.

“Otni is a playful little boy who lives with his parents in a small adobe mud house in rural Guatemala,” shares our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). Otni is 18 months old and due to malnutrition, has experienced difficulties with his health since birth. The effects of malnutrition affect Otni’s overall development and immune system. WK informs us his height and weight measure at far below the average of a healthy boy his age. In addition, he is prone to illness. Without intervention, his health will continue to decline, compromising his mental and physical development. To support their family, Otni’s father works in the fields near their home while his mother takes care of housework and weaves textiles to sell. However, their combined income is not enough to afford the costs of Otni’s treatment. With $535, Otni will receive nutritional therapy. “This treatment will supply Otni with the growth monitoring, micronutrient and food supplementation, and de-worming medication needed for him to increase his overall caloric intake, overcome his cough, and recoup some of the weight and height he has lost,” explains WK. Otni’s mother will also receive intensive nutrition education, providing her with the skills and confidence to care for Otni throughout his childhood. “I want to make the difference in his life that he needs to grow better and become healthier,” she shares.

Meet Justin, a two-year old baby boy from Kenya. Justin is “the first born to a young couple,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). AMHF shares that Justin is a very active baby boy, and fell from his bed accidentally on October 3rd, fracturing his right elbow. He specifically has a right displaced supracondylar fracture, a frequent injury in children and that often leads to complications if not treated quickly. Justin requires an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) to fix his elbow. This first puts the broken bone back into place, and then places a fixation device on the bone to prevent it from moving. "His mother is a college student and his father is currently jobless: Justin's father used to do casual work at a cyber café," AMHF reports. They rely on their parents for support, and are unable to pay for Justin's surgery on their own. $1,125 will fund treatment to heal Justin's bones. The cost of the treatment includes surgical, hospital, and all medication costs. “We expect after an ORIF, Justin will recover fully. He will no longer be in pain, and his hand will heal well. He will be able to use it again. Justin will have a chance to grow up normally and healthy,” says AMHF. “This is my first baby and I am distressed because of his suffering from this pain," Justin's mother shares. "I hope we can get financial assistance and the surgery will be successful. I can’t wait to see my child able to use his hand again, so that he can grow up like other children.”

Nine-month-old Myson "has two very devoted parents," shares our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). "But he currently lives in an orphanage in Haiti due to his illness so that they can help keep him as healthy and stable as possible." Myson has three older brothers and sisters who like to visit him and play with him whenever they can. Myson currently suffers from a congenital heart disease called ventricular septal defect. "A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart," HCA tells us. "Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him sickly and weak. If not corrected with surgery, the condition would eventually be fatal." $1,500 will fund overseas transportation and preparation for Myson's heart surgery. Health City Cayman Islands has already subsidized $5,000 of the treatment cost. "I am so happy that Myson can have surgery and I am praying that everything will go well," his mother shares.

Meet Roxana, a four-year old girl from Guatemala. According to our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK), Roxana loves playing with her little brother, her favorite playmate. Roxana has a heart condition and developmental delays due to Down Syndrome, leaving her with “limited mobility and communication skills,” according to WK. “Additionally, her appetite is low and her parents do not have enough resources to feed her nutrient-dense foods, which has left her malnourished and limited her physical development.” For $1,385, we can fund a multifaceted treatment that will help Roxana progress on her developmental path. “This treatment will allow Roxana access to physical and speech therapy that will increase her quality of life,” explains WK. “She will be able to better communicate with those around her, thereby increasing her ability to learn from her experiences and surroundings.” “She will have better mobility thus increasing her independence and chance to attend a specialized school and maintain a job in the future,” continues WK. “Her mother will receive counseling to help her raise her special needs child, and our team will supply regular medical checkups.” “It has been hard, one thing after the next, but I lover her and I want her to succeed in whatever way is possible,” shares Roxana’s mother. “Thank you for this chance.” Let's help Roxana get back on track and fund this treatment!

“Two years ago, Paw May began to feel pain in her abdomen,” shares our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). The pain was initially treated with medicine, but returned two months ago. After traveling to Thailand to find healthcare, 50-year-old Paw May was found to have kidney stones. Kidney stones form when a change occurs in the normal balance of salts and minerals found in the urine. When these stones attempt to pass through the body, they can cause a great deal of pain, fever and chills. BBP explains, “Paw May is no longer able to carry on with her daily household work.” As a mother to three children—two of whom are still in high school—Paw May works hard to take care of her family. According to BBP, “Her son and husband both cultivate rice and grow vegetables to eat. Paw May and her family live hand-to-mouth and are very self-sufficient.” Though this self-sufficient lifestyle supports the family most of the time, Paw May and her husband often have to borrow money and are looking for Watsi support to help out with treatment. $1,500 will fund the treatment Paw May needs to treat her condition. She will undergo a surgical procedure to remove her kidney stones, and receive transportation to and from the hospital. The funding also covers post-operative care and medication. With this treatment, Paw May will no longer run the risk of infection and increased discomfort, as surgical intervention will impede the growth of the kidney stones and prevent future problems. BBP tells us, “After surgery Paw May will be able to return home, where she will be able to return to her domestic chores and help her children.”

“The symptoms make it difficult to focus on my studies and that upsets me. My mind wants to study, but my body will not allow it,” says Mu Eh. Meet Mu Eh, a 19-year-old woman who lives in a refugee camp in Thailand with her parents and three younger siblings. “Mu Eh was 15 years old when she first noticed the symptoms of her condition,” shares our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). “She has made multiple visits to health clinics and hospitals over the past four years and been prescribed several different types of medication, however her symptoms have become more severe over time.” Mu Eh has nasal poylps. Nasal polyps are soft, sac-like growths on the lining of the nose or sinuses. BBP tells us they cause her pain and “make it difficult for her to breathe through her nose.” The growths also lead to “frequent headaches and her nose will sometimes swell and turn red.” Mu Eh passed grade 10 and is about to begin her post-term education. “She enjoys school and is interested in studying medicine,” BBP continues. “She occasionally misses school because of her condition and the pain makes it difficult to concentrate when she is studying.” $1500 will fund the procedure to remove the polyps along with transportation to and from the hospital. "With treatment, Mu Eh can be expected to make a full recovery and live symptom-free. She will able to return to her studies and work toward her dream of becoming a doctor.”

Anita is a 23-year-old woman from Kenya. A single mother of two, Anita washes clothes to support herself and her children. Two years ago, Anita fell, dislocated her hip, and broke her ankle. As is common in Kenya, where there is little "pre-hospital care" like ambulances, good samaritans took her to a hospital. She received treatment for her dislocated hip, but her ankle remained untreated because she could not fund the costs. For $1200, Anita will receive an ankle fusion surgery that will help her walk again. Anita says, “I want to get well so that I can take care of my children. They have no one else to depend on.” Let’s help raise the money for Anita’s surgery so she can heal from her fall and care for her children!

Robelto is a 23-year-old from Haiti. He loves school, playing soccer, and spending time with his family. The eldest of five children, he hopes to finish school and to study engineering abroad. A few months ago Robelto began experiencing abdominal pains. Doctors discovered he had colon cancer. Emergency surgery was performed. Now, chemotherapy is needed to cure his cancer completely. Robelto currently lives with symptoms such as loss of appetite, pelvis pain, insomnia, and fever. The cost of chemotherapy is $1,500. Doctors say there is a good chance the cancer can be cured with this treatment. Robelto is grateful for the treatment he has received so far but his family cannot afford this necessary next step. Let's help him get the necessary treatment to cure his cancer so he can finish school!

Alex is a fast-growing, bright boy living in Guatemala. He has a speech problem that if left untreated, his doctors say will lead to permanent language problems and difficulty in school. Alex’s problem is common and easily treatable in most developed countries. However, in Guatemala, the absence of pediatric care and speech therapy makes access to treatment nearly impossible. Doctors at Wuqu' Kawoq can ensure Alex receives six months of intensive speech therapy. They have an amazing therapist on staff who is excited to work with Alex. Let’s get Alex talking normally so he has the resources to succeed in the world!

Andrecia contracted rheumatic fever in 2007 that damaged her aortic and mitral valves. In 2008, she had surgery in Miami to replace the mitral valve, but now she needs surgery to replace the aortic valve. Andrecia is constantly short of breath and fatigued. She is no longer able to do daily activities and her symptoms are getting worse. Since 2010, Andrecia has lived in Port-au-Prince at a home for children, where she volunteers as a mentor and tutor for the younger children. The International Kids Fund is subsidizing Andrecia’s heart surgery, but she needs $1,500 for transportation to the United States. Once the aortic valve is replaced, Andrecia will be able to return to normal activities with few limitations. Without the surgery, Andrecia will likely pass away within several months, or even weeks.

Mistire is just 3 weeks old. Her mother wants nothing more than for her first child to grow up and lead a healthy normal life. Mistire was born with an obvious mass on her back and weakness in her legs. Her doctors diagnosed her with spina bifida, a condition that causes the spinal cord to protrude through vertebrae in the back that are not fully formed. The condition is very serious and Mistire risks death from infection and the possibility of water collecting on the brain. With surgery costing $1300, doctors can close the space between the vertebrae in Mistire’s back and stop the risk of death from infection. If water is found to have collected on the brain, they can insert a drain to remove the fluid and reduce the pressure. Following surgery Mistire will require follow up medical assistance but with good care she can expect a long and healthy life.