Pedro is a six-month-old baby boy who lives with his parents in Guatemala’s rural highlands. Pedro was born with a cleft lip, which, in his short life, has already brought him health difficulties. A cleft lip makes it difficult for Pedro to breastfeed, so he has not been receiving enough nutrition to grow healthily. If left untreated, Pedro’s cleft lip will cause him further complications, including continued difficulty feeding and swallowing, speech difficulties, and dental problems. It can also lead to chronic ear infections and hearing loss. Since Pedro was born, his parents have been extremely worried for their son, as they do not have the resources to pay for the necessary surgery to correct his condition. Pedro’s parents’ greatest hope is for their son to be healthy and undergo a successful surgery. With the aid of Watsi funding, Pedro will have the surgery he needs on October 6. He will stay with his mother in the hospital for up to 10 days afterwards to allow the lip to heal and to ensure he can feed properly. Treatment will also include three doctor consults before surgery and two after. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, requests $1,014 for Pedro's medical care. After the surgery, Pedro will be able to feed like a normal, healthy baby boy, and he will be able to develop normal speech capabilities. Pedro will have the opportunity to grow and develop healthily, for this surgery will eliminate any risk of ear infection, hearing loss, or dental issues related to cleft lip. Pedro’s mother says, “I am so happy to have this support, and we are so grateful because it is not only a great help for our son but it is a great help economically to our family.”

Rann is a 21-year-old farmer who has four brothers and two sisters. He likes to watch TV and work in his rice fields. For five months, Rann has had a chronic dislocation of a joint in his left thumb. He was treated by a Khmer traditional healer, but his symptoms did not improve. Rann has difficulty flexing his thumb, and he is in pain. When Rann learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for four hours to seek treatment. On November 1, CSC surgeons performed a joint arthrodesis surgery. After recovery, Rann will regain function in his left hand. Now, he needs help to fund this $450 surgery.

Houn is a 64-year-old woman with five sons and two daughters. She likes to cook, look after her grandchildren, and relax at home. In May 2012, Houn started experiencing swelling and pain in her right knee. Now, she is in constant pain, and she uses crutches to walk. She has been diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee. When Houn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for seven hours to seek treatment. On November 25, surgeons at CSC performed a total knee replacement on Houn's right knee. She should now feel comfortable while looking after her grandchildren.

21-year-old Chhoeun is the sixth child in his family--he has three sisters and four brothers. He lives in Cambodia, and in his spare time he enjoys playing volleyball and listening to music. However, “One year ago Chhoeun was in a road accident,” explains our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). “The accident caused ankylosis [of the jaw], or abnormal stiffening and immobility of a joint due to bone fusion.” As a result, Chhoeun is experiencing painful swelling around his jaw bone, which has made it difficult for him to eat. Before the accident, Chhoeun earned a living as a farmer. However, his injury has affected his ability to work as he did previously. Chouen could not afford the surgery originally scheduled for him by another hospital, and instead traveled six hours to reach the CSC treatment centre. For $392, Chhoeun will undergo an arthroplasty, during which the damaged portion of his jaw will be removed. After the surgery, Chhoeun will receive physical therapy, which will help him regain muscle strength and achieve a better range of motion in his jaw joint. He will eventually be able to open his mouth without discomfort. “After I am healed I will go back to work,” shares Chhoeun. “I hope that my mouth will be able to open normally again. Many thanks to the doctors and nurses for their help.”

Hoeun, a 29-year-old woman from Cambodia, was born with esotropia, a “congenital condition that has causes her right eye to turn inward,” shares our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). People with esotropia often have a cross-eyed appearance, and are unable to see straight. Hoeun's condition makes it difficult for her to work, and causes her to be shy when going outside. "Hoeun is married with two daughters," CSC shares. "She works tailoring clothes. In her free time she listens to social news and helps teach her daughter." She heard about CSC after her brother received treatment, and traveled 90 minutes to seek her own treatment. $290 covers the cost of a procedure to properly align Hoeun’s eye. This procedure consists of identifying and moving muscles on the eye in order to straighten it. The conjunctiva, the clear covering of the white part of the eye, is opened to reveal the muscle, and then closed. This is usually done under general anesthesia. “I hope my eye is straight and beautiful like other women, and that I won’t be shy anymore," Hoeun shares.

Meet Aung, a shy 11-year-old boy from Burma who loves the company of animals. Aung lives with his parents and two brothers, who attend school. Aung has dropped out of school because of students teasing him about his condition. Aung was born with a neural tube defect called encephalocele. "The mass on Aung's nose was present at birth and was the size of a finger print," reports our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). "It has since grown substantially over the years. Aung explained that the mass is very tender to touch and if it gets accidentally knocked it causes his eyes to tear up." The encephalocele has also made Aung very self conscious. "When asked if he would like to return to school after treatment he said he doesn't want to, favoring to work in the field and tending to cows and buffalo instead," BBP continues. "Aung's father said he desperately wants to see his son be educated and hopes treatment will allow this dream to be realized." However, despite numerous attempts to get him treatment, Aung’s parents have been told that he requires costly surgery that is out of reach for their family. Aung’s family works very hard to raise money for his treatment. His father earns $40-$50 a month and Aung’s brother tends to the neighbors’ goats for some pocket money. For $1,500, we can help. Aung can receive the surgery that will improve his appearance and confidence, allowing him to attend school and receive an education.

Janet is a 22-year-old farmer from Kenya who is expecting a child! Janet grows maize, beans, and vegetables in her field, and her husband cuts sugarcane to pay for their children’s school fees. Janet hopes to deliver her child safely in a health facility with skilled attendants by her side, but her family cannot afford this care on their own. For only $215, we can give Janet access to the skilled care she needs to welcome her new baby safely into the world. She will also receive important maternal health education, immunizations for her baby after birth, and a check-up before going home with her newest family member.

Maria is a young Mayan woman who was born without a left hand and wrist. She tries not to let this prevent her from living a normal life, but it's hard for her to accomplish basic tasks without pain. Maria speaks Q'anjob'al Maya, an indigenous language, but does not speak any Spanish. Because of language, distance, and financial barriers, she has never considered seeking medical help for her problem. For just $650, Maria can be fitted with a prosthetic arm. She is excited about the possibility of going about her daily life without pain. She also jokes that having a prosthetic arm will allow her to slap her husband if he "gets out of line!"