27-year-old Maryam lives with her mother in Nigeria. She loves to knit, and has just started a business as a trader. Recently, Maryam was found to have uterine fibroids, or noncancerous growths of the uterus that typically form during child-bearing years. "Maryam experiences heavy menstrual bleeding, excessive pain, and frequent urination," our medical partner, Hope for West Africa (HWA), reports. Though fibroids are not cancerous, they do cause great discomfort and can lead to other conditions, such as anemia. For Maryam, they have impeded her ability to work and help her mother with the family business. To cure Maryam of the fibroids, she will need to undergo surgery. $1,500 will pay for her surgery and a seven-day stay in the hospital for follow up appointments. After the procedure, "Maryam will be able to work and improve her business," HWA tells us. A vibrant young woman, Maryam is most excited to no longer experience pain or a prolonged menstrual flow. "I am looking forward to when I can assist my mother without complaining of pains and to not feel self-conscious," Maryam shares.

Blessing is a 35-year-old seamstress from Nigeria who has one older and four younger siblings. Our medical partner, Hope for West Africa, tells us she has a "sweet personality" and likes to cook. Blessing was recently diagnosed with uterine fibroids, painful noncancerous growths in the uterus. As a result, she has been having painful, prolonged menstrual periods and difficulty urinating. "Due to the pains and prolonged menstrual flow she hasn't been concentrating in her business of making clothes," shares Hope for West Africa, our medical partner. Blessing is unable to pay for treatment, as she contributes part of her income to help her siblings attend school. For $1,500 we can fund surgery to remove the growths, relieving Blessing's pain. The funding will also cover hospitalization and recovery. "Blessing looks forward to when she can concentrate and spend most days in her shop without pain and heavy flow," the staff at Hope for West Africa adds.

"Magdaline is a vibrant woman who loves teaching," our medical partner, Hope for West Africa (HWA), shares with us. The 43-year-old woman lives in Nigeria with her husband, where she works as a teacher. Recently diagnosed with uterine fibroids, "Magdaline experiences heavy bleeding, painful menstrual cramps, prolonged flow, and has an enlarged abdomen," HWA reports. Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that form in the walls of the uterus, and can often lead to other conditions, like anemia, if left untreated. Because of the pain she experiences, Magdaline often has to miss some days of work. "She loves teaching and imparting her knowledge to the students," HWA shares. After receiving treatment, she will be able to work without missing days. In order to cure the uterine fibroids, Magdaline will undergo surgery. She will stay in the hospital for seven days for follow-up care. $1,500 will cover the cost of surgery along with the hospital stay. After surgery, "Magdaline looks forward to having the full time with her students as she won't need to be excused from her duties due to her condition," HWA shares with us.

38-year-old Rahila is happily married with two children. She works with her husband in Nigeria who trades food and other goods to meet their daily needs and support their children. Rahila is currently pregnant with her third child, and our medical partner, Hope for West Africa (HFWA) has determined that the pregnancy is high-risk. She needs a cesarian section (C-section) to ensure a safe and healthy delivery. “We can not afford the money for the C-section,” Rahila shares. “We will be glad if anyone can assist us with the cost. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to have a chance.” $1,500 will cover the cost of Rahila’s procedure, which will take place at the Jos University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria. Rahila's baby is due in late January. “After the C-section, and on full recovery, she can go back to having a normal life,” says HFWA.

Meet Godiya, a 29-year-old woman from Nigeria. "She goes to her business place daily with her face full of smiles and hope, where she engages in buying and selling on small scales," shares our medical partner, Hope for West Africa. Godiya hopes to one day go back to school. One year ago, Godiya developed a painful lump in her breast. The lump causes her much discomfort and makes it difficult for her to go about her daily business. Godiya must have the breast mass surgically removed. $1,486 will cover the surgical procedure, necessary medications, and follow-up care. "I have always looked forward to having a normal life with the breast lump gone and pain free," Godiya says. "I know a day will come when all of this will come to reality."

15-month-old Adam was born in Nigeria and was submitted to Watsi by our medical partner, Hope for West Africa (HFWA). Adam was born with an omphalocele — a birth defect in which the intestine and other organs grow outside of the body. “Adam is second baby in the family of two children,” says HFWA. “His mother is a full time house wife, while his father does menial jobs to fend for his family.” Adam is in pain, particularly in his navel and groin area. He requires surgery to push his organs back into the body, which is done over an extended period of time. After treatment, Adam is expected to recover fully. The total cost of his care is $1,478. “After surgery, the swellings and pains will go and Adam will have a happy and normal live,” HFWA says. “Please, if you can find someone who can extend a hand of help to help with our son's treatment, we will be ever grateful,” Adam’s mother says.

Pam is a 65-year-old man from Nigeria who makes his living as a farmer. He has eight children, five of whom are still in school. However, the development of a mass on his neck three years ago, and the consequential increased heart rate, have “affected [Pam’s] farming drastically, as his condition does not allow him to carry out his farming activities as he used to do,” explains our medical partner, Hope for West Africa. As the sole provider of the family, Pam worries about his condition, which has affected his only source of livelihood. “I need help with this surgery,” says Pam. “If I am helped, I will be very happy. Treatment will enable me to go back to farming actively, it will help me provide for my family again, and it will also allow me to live normal, happy life.” With $1,500, surgeons will remove the mass from Pam’s neck. This funding will go towards not only the surgery, but also preoperative lab tests, postoperative physiotherapy, and follow up appointments. After the surgery, Pam will no longer be bothered by a swollen neck and his heart beat will return to normal.

Meet Grant, a 78-year-old man from Nigeria. Grant is dealing with the effects of benign prostatic hypertrophy with urinary retention. Essentially, this means that Grant has difficulty urinating. Patients with this condition often have trouble emptying their bladder completely, constantly feel as though they need to urinate, or still feel as though they need to urinate even after they are finished. Our medical partner, Hope for West Africa (HFWA), explains, “Grant has been dealing with the inability to pass urine for two years (with a regular infection) as a result of a permanent catheter that was inserted.” With this uncomfortable condition, everyday activities are a struggle. However, for $1,465 Grant’s catheter will be removed and, according to HFWA, “The treatment will enable Grant to live a normal life without urine retention and recurring infection.” Grant is the patriarch of a large family and is excited for the time when he will be able to spend for time with them once again. “Grant is married with seven children,” says HFWA. “He is a loving father and a grandfather. He looks forward to spending more time with his grandchildren when the catheter is removed.”

Dokdang is a 28-year-old man from Nigeria who is "currently studying to become a teacher. He loves reading, outdoor sports and making friends," our medical partner, Hope For West Africa (HFWA), shares. Dokdang's hand has become deformed because of a snake bite. Because of his condition, performing daily activities and doing the things he loves is difficult. HFWA reports, “Dokdang is unable to lift objects and he experiences excruciating pains. His hand is affecting his studies and his ability to concentrate in school.” For $1,474, Dokdang will undergo an open reduction and internal fixation procedure, during which his hand will be surgically opened and the damaged areas inside will be corrected. Receiving surgery will help him “concentrate on his studies and achieving his life dream of becoming a teacher." After he heals, Dokdang’s quality of life will improve dramatically and it will be much easier for him to do the things he loves. HFWA shares, “Dokdang looks forward to the surgery as this will enable him to continue pursuing teaching and also to participate in most outdoor sports.”

“Chinyere is a friendly young lady and the oldest in a family of six,” reports our medical partner, Hope for West Africa (HFWA). “She likes reading and is currently studying to be a nurse.” Meet 28-year-old Chinyere from West Africa. Chinyere has a uterine fibroid, a noncancerous growth that develops from the smooth muscular tissue of the uterus. She has experienced “bleeding which can be heavy enough to cause anemia, and painful, prolonged periods which can last for several days,” explains HFWA. “The pain is so severe that she doesn’t go to school whenever it starts.” Chinyere needs surgery to treat her condition, but “her parents are petty traders and they cannot afford the amount that the surgery will cost.” With $1500 in funding, Chinyere can undergo a procedure to remove the fibroid and fully resolve her painful symptoms. This cost subsidizes labs, radiology, surgical costs, rehabilitation, medication, travel, and lodging. “The surgery will allow Chinyere to concentrate on her studies,” continues HFWA. “She will have less heavy bleeding that often times does not allow her to go to school and mix with others.” HFWA adds, “Chinyere is looking forward to concentrate on her studies and assist her parents in their petty business after the surgery.”

Meet Joshua, a 26-year-old young man from Nigeria. Our medical partner, Hope for West Africa (HFWA), describes Joshua as “a vibrant young man with a bright future ahead. He likes reading and playing basketball, but because of his health he has had to stop playing for the meantime.” Joshua has chronic osteomyelitis—an infection of one’s bones and bone marrow. Due to his osteomyelitis, Joshua experiences discharge from his sinuses, along with excruciating pain that limits his physical activity and ability to focus on his studies. As the sixth of seven children born to parents who are now retired, Joshua and his family cannot afford the surgery that he needs. With $1,474 in funding, this surgery will be made possible for Joshua. Doctors will remove the infected tissue or bone and prevent the spread of the infection, relieving Joshua of his pain and allowing him to walk. HFWA tells us, “Joshua is looking forward to walking properly without pain, as that will enable him to focus on his studies.”

Mercy is a friendly and ambitious woman from Nigeria who likes to read and prides herself in her organizational skills. After graduating from university with a degree in economics, she hoped to secure a job, or even start her own business, to help her siblings and widowed mother with their finances. However, Mercy was recently involved in a car accident that left her with multiple injuries and a lipoma (large but benign tumor) on her lower back. Since then, she has been unable to walk properly, and experiences excruciating pain when she does try to walk. She says her hopes of going into business are starting to fade. For $1,500, doctors can perform an x-ray and CT scan on Mercy to check that her spine is not damaged, and remove the lipoma on her lower back. Mercy says, "I want to find employment so that I can help my siblings and other girls who are going through issues in their schooling or careers." Let's help her get well again so that she can fulfill her wish!