Steve's Story

Steve joined Watsi on September 30th, 2013. Six years ago, Steve joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Steve's most recent donation supported Khin, a 65-year-old woman from Thailand, to fund cataract surgery.

Impact

Steve has funded healthcare for 82 patients in 13 countries.

patients you have funded

Safia is a bright student - she is an orphan who is still mourning the loss of her mother who passed on in February 2022. Her father died a few years ago, and she lives with her relatives in Moyale. She has not been able to attend her classes since she started feeling unwell. She is the last born in a family of five children. She does not have medical coverage and is unable to raise the required amount for the surgery. She first experienced a small itch on her leg at the beginning of April 2022. She later experienced swelling in that area, and she did not have any feeling on the infected leg. Over time, the situation worsened and developed pus. She now has a chronic wound on her left leg that requires debridement and skin grafting. Safia was referred to our medical partner's care center Kijabe Hospital by friends after her condition did not improve. She visited the facility and underwent a sequestrectomy on the 8th of September and now needs a debridement and skin graft procedure. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Safia receive treatment. On September 14th, surgeons will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure so she can walk without straining and be able to attend school and continue with her studies. Now, Safia needs help to fund this $1,185 procedure. Safia's aunt says, “She has been away from school for almost five months now. Her condition keeps getting worse that she is unable to walk. We even have to carry her to the bathroom. She needs this surgery, or she will lose her leg.“

$1,185raised
Fully funded

Patience is a baby and the last born in a family of two children. Her mother is not employed and relies on her sisters to help provide for them. Currently Patience and her mother are living at her Aunt’s place in Kibera, Kenya as she undergoes treatment before moving back to upcountry. Patience has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. Patience was diagnosed with spina bifida at birth. She was then referred to another facility where she was admitted in the nursery and stayed there for a while without the treatment she needed. Her mother decided to take her to another facility in Nairobi, where she was able to have surgery for spina bifida. She recovered fully and was discharged home. While at home, Patience started experiencing fevers more often which raised concern for her mother. Her mother shared it with a friend who referred her to our medical partner's care center BethanyKids Hospital for treatment. Upon arrival, Patience was diagnosed with hydrocephalus. She is now scheduled for a surgery. Without treatment, Patience will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $720 to cover the cost of surgery for Patience that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 2nd and will drain the excess fluid from Patience's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Patience will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Patience’s mother says, “I never knew that her condition would be this big that it needs urgent intervention. We put our trust in God and hope that she will be well.”

$720raised
Fully funded