Phyu is a 37-year-old woman from Burma who is a mother to 15-year-old-son and 13-year-old daughter. Phyu's husband works as a carpenter to support their family. Phyu has a heart condition called mitral stenosis. She "suffers from fatigue and heart palpitations," explains our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). "These symptoms made her stop working as a day laborer. Presently she works as a housewife because her medical condition precludes work outside of the house." Mitral stenosis is a disorder in which a valve of the heart does not open fully, restricting the flow of blood through the heart. This has lead to another condition, called mitral regurgitation, which causes the backward flow of blood in the heart. The complex cardiac surgery to treat Phyu's condition costs $1,500. BBP tells us, "After surgery, she should be able to work and could provide an income for her family." Phyu tells our medical partner, "I want to recover and work with the traditional medicine shop, selling medicine in my village. I want to make money to support my children and my parents."

Meet 20-month-old Sherlin from Guatemala. “Sherlin is a sweet little girl who loves to share. She imitates her mother's singing with babbles as her mother does household chores and likes to watch her do dishes,” shares our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). “Her mother works weaving textiles to sell and support her family. The family is very much a little unit – happy and extremely close.” Sherlin has acute malnutrition and has been consistently ill for months. “She currently has diarrhea and a cough. Her mother has taken her baby to the doctor many times but was never given medication that was effective and could not always afford the medications prescribed,” reports WK. “If intervention does not occur, Sherlin’s immune system will continue to weaken and her illness will worsen,” continues WK. “She is already at risk of pneumonia amongst other potential acute illnesses, and our team worries that if she does not get the medication and supplementation necessary, she will be at risk of dehydration and its potentially lethal effects.” With $535, Sherlin can receive comprehensive treatment for malnutrition. This includes growth monitoring, micronutrient and food supplementation, and de-worming medication that will allow her to increase overall caloric intake, overcome diarrhea, and recoup her height and weight. Her parents will receive nutrition education, allowing them to better care for Sherlin as she grows. “Intervention now will prevent the future devastating effects of malnutrition and give Sherlin the chance to live a healthy, productive life,” says WK. “Thank God you want to help us," shares Sherlin's mother. "May the lord bless you and your institution.”

Meet Moisa, a two-year-old toddler from Haiti. Moisa was born with a congenital heart disease called Tetralogy of Fallot, which causes a hole to form between two chambers of the heart and causes a muscular blockage in one of the heart valves. “As a result, blood cannot circulate normally through her body, and she is at constant risk of sudden death,” says our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). Moisa was born with down syndrome, and she lives with her parents and three older brothers. “Although she has special needs, she is fully involved in the life of her family and has many friends in the neighborhood,” shares HCA. Moisa likes to wear pretty dresses and play, especially blowing bubbles. For $1,500, Moisa will receive the cardiac surgery she needs. Following the surgery, she will no longer have cardiac symptoms or be at risk of sudden death. "Moisa makes everyone smile when they are around her,” expresses her mother. “We are so happy she is getting the surgery she needs!"

Meet Akon, a cute newborn baby from Malawi, and just a few months old. Akon is the first-born child to a family that farms maize. Akon is a patient with our medical partner, World Altering Medicine (WAM), and has a condition called hydrocephalus. He has a build-up of fluid in the cavities deep within the brain, leading to high intracranial pressure. The condition causes head enlargement in infants and can lead to muscular and cognitive disorders if not treated promptly. Akon's head has become so big that his neck can no longer support it, and he also has poor sight—another common symptom of the condition. For $992, we can treat Akon with a procedure that will use a shunt to drain the excess fluid from the brain. The fluid will be rerouted into the abdominal cavity where it can be reabsorbed. Funding will cover the costs of surgery, a seven-day hospital stay, labs, travel and lodging, and medications. After treatment, Akon’s head will normalize in size and the build-up of intracranial pressure will be relieved. WAM reports that Akon’s neck will be able to support his head and “he will regain his lost sight.” Though the family cannot afford the surgery, Akon’s parents are hopeful for their son’s future thanks to Watsi support. “I hope that the surgery will help my child regain his normal life,” Akon’s mother shares.

Meet Sari, a 50-year-old mother of six children from Cambodia. “In her spare time and while she is working, Sari likes to listen to Khmer traditional songs on the radio,” shares our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). Unfortunately, due to a shoulder dislocation caused by a recent accident, Sari has been unable to work on the farm to support her family. CSC reports, “about three months ago, Sari had a bad fall.” The accident resulted in a left elbow dislocation—a condition in which the elbow bones have been pushed out of place. Such a complex dislocation can cause damage to both the bones and surrounding ligaments. This trauma can limit the elbow’s range of motion, cause pain or discomfort and ultimately damage the surrounding nerves and blood vessels. In addition to causing her pain, Sari’s injury prevents her from doing any manual work at the farm. With $405, Sari will undergo an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedure, which will reset and rebind the fractured bones in her left elbow using steel plates and rods. Sari will spend two weeks in the hospital, undergo several preoperative laboratory examinations and receive intensive postoperative support, including sessions with a physiotherapist. After she recovers, Sari will “regain use of her arm and have no more pain,” CSC reports. Sari is optimistic about treatment—after recovery she plans to return to work “and help support her family,” CSC shares.

Meet Anderson, an adorable one-year-old boy from Haiti and younger sibling to his six-year-old brother. According to our medical partner, Project Medishare (PM), “Anderson was normally born but after three months his head started getting abnormally large.” This was followed by symptoms of fever and the flu, prompting Anderson’s family to take him to the nearby hospital for a CT scan. “The results revealed excess fluid in his brain,” shares PM. Anderson was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition where cerebrospinal fluid pathways in the brain become blocked, causing increased pressure. If left untreated, Anderson could experience seizures and premature death. This diagnosis was particularly difficult for Anderson’s 26-year-old mother, who “stopped going to school when she became pregnant for the first time” and currently has no source of income, PM shares. Anderson's father is handicapped and cannot provide support for the treatment. Anderson's mother has lost her appetite and become frail since learning of her son's diagnosis, having no means of supporting his treatment. With $1,260, we can help Anderson and his family and fund surgical care to drain the excess fluid from Anderson’s brain. He will be able to grow up healthy, attend school and continue bringing joy to his family. Anderson’s mother is also excited to return to school once her son recovers.

“I am interested in two things; being a teacher or a doctor,” Patrick tells us. Patrick is eight years old, and lives with his family of four in Tanzania. He is in second grade and his favorite subject is mathematics. Patrick lives with bilateral clubfoot -- he uses the lateral aspects of his feet to walk. This has impacted both his physical health and self-confidence. "He remembers how other children used to laugh at him, but now he says it is not so much and he feels more comfortable going to school now than before," says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "He is eager to have straight feet because no one will laugh at him anymore." Patrick's parents are farmers who grow primarily maize and beans. They cannot afford the $1,160 cost of treatment for Patrick's clubfoot. Treatment will involve a three-to-four month process of manipulation, casting, and re-positioning of the feet. After the treatment is complete, Patrick will have full mobility and a normal gait. He will no longer be at risk of other complications, such as the development of early osteoarthritis. With your help, we can allow Patrick to attend school with confidence, and study to become a teacher or doctor.

“I have been sad to see that Gerlanda can’t play with her friends as much as she would like to,” shares seven-year-old Gerlanda’s grandmother. Gerlanda lives with her grandmother in Western Haiti. Her parents work in the capital, Port-au-Prince, to support their family, and visit Gerlanda once per year. Gerlanda is a conscientious second grade student who likes attending school very much. “Gerlanda was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, and has a large hole between the two lower chambers (ventricles) of her heart,” explain our partners at Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). "Blood passes freely through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen. If left untreated, this condition would be fatal.” For $1,500, we can fund transportation and cardiac surgery for Gerlanda in a safe, fully-equipped hospital. After surgery, Gerlanda should have normal blood flow through her heart, and no longer be affected by her ventricular septal defect. Let’s help Gerlanda return to school with the vitality to play with her friends!

“I like to listen to the monks pray at the pagoda, but I miss reading,” shares Hourn. “I miss cooking for my family and being able to do things on my own, as well.” For three years, 68-year-old Hourn has had blurry vision because of an immature cataract in her right eye. She has had difficulty caring for her family and keeping her home in Cambodia in order. A loving mother of three and grandmother of four, Hourn relies on her family for help with daily tasks. For $150 we can fund a cataract removal procedure and follow-up care. Let’s help Hourn to return to the activities she loves as she watches her grandchildren grow!

“I love my daughter very much and I want the best for her. I want her to have straight legs, be able to walk properly, get a good education and later on live a better life,” shares Diana’s mother. Say hello to Diana, an active and friendly four-year-old girl from Tanzania. Diana lives with her mother, grandparents, and younger sibling and enjoys playing with little children, making shapes out of clay. She does not like to play with older children because, due to her bowed legs, Diana cannot run fast and falls down easily when pushed. When Diana was one year old, her legs began bowing outward and, gradually, her condition has gotten worse. Her legs are weak and she in unable to walk fast or for long distances. Diana’s mother does not have a stable job and as a single mother raising two children, desperately needs financial support so that her daughter’s legs can be corrected. For $940, we can provide Diana with the treatment she needs to walk and move more comfortably. According to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, “Diana will have straight and strong legs, better gait, and ability to walk without getting tired quickly.” If not treated, Diana will be at high risk of developing early osteoarthritis. Let’s pull together, Watsi donors!

Meet Abdirahman, a one-year-old baby boy from Somalia. "Abdirahman has been having issues feeding, which is a common complaint for children with hydrocephalus," our medical partner Edna Adan Hospital explains to us. Hydrocephalus is a condition in which fluid accumulates in the skull, which causes brain swelling. With this condition, Abdirahman is unable to sit by himself. His mother brought Abdirahman from their hometown to the hospital hoping they could help. For $640, we can pay for a surgical shunting procedure to remove excess fluid from Abdirahman's brain, which will decrease the size of his head and give him a chance to grow up healthy. "His mother was very happy to find out that more treatment was available!" his doctors say.

"I just want to have the surgery and get this whole thing behind me so that I can not be worried all the time," Maria tells her doctors at our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK). Maria is mother to one child and usually helps her husband selling items in the market to support their family. She has a growing mass on one breast which is both painful and a cause for great concern right now, especially since she has had family members who have had breast cancer. "She needs a biopsy of the mass to rule out the possiblity of breast cancer," WK tells us. With $310 the WK team can make this happen for Maria. "The mass will be removed," they tell us. "This should greatly relieve the discomfort that Maria feels. Also we will do pathology studies on the mass to make sure it is benign. This will help rule out cancer and allow Maria to get back to her life without worrying about this possibility." Maria is in great hands with the WK team. Let's make comprehensive care for her a certainty by funding her care completely.