Sridhar Kuppuswamy
Sridhar's Story

Sridhar joined Watsi on June 1st, 2013. 3 other people also joined Watsi on that day! Sridhar's most recent donation traveled 8,800 miles to support SreyPich, a bright student and jump rope enthusiast from Cambodia, to fund tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy surgery.

Impact

Sridhar has funded healthcare for 370 patients in 15 countries.

patients you have funded

SreyPich is an 11-year-old from Cambodia. Her parents work at a nearby construction site, and SreyPich helps care for her two younger siblings when she gets home from school. SreyPich is a bright student whose favorite subject is English. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her friends, and they are really good at jump-roping! For the last three years, SreyPich has been experiencing frequent nose and throat infections, congestion, coughing, and difficulty swallowing. She often feels unwell, and it can sometimes be uncomfortable to eat. SreyPich was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), is helping her receive treatment. On January 5th, she will undergo a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. During these procedures, surgeons at CSC will remove her tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving SreyPich of her symptoms and helping her live much more comfortably. CSC is requesting $265 to fund this surgery. SreyPich's family gathered $100 to contribute to her care. SreyPich said, "After the operation, I hope my throat will get better and I can eat and breathe easily."

$265raised
Fully funded

Stravensky, who is 18 years old, and in his final year of high school, lives in Port-au-Prince in Haiti, with his parents and two sisters. He aspires to go on to university to study engineering. Stravensky was born with atrial septal defect, a cardiac condition, where a hole exists between the upper two chambers in his heart. Instead of circulating through his lungs and picking up oxygen, the blood leaks through the hole, leaving him weak and short of breath. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is seeking $1,500 to fund the costs of the surgery that Stravensky needs to repair his heart. The procedure, during which the hole will be repaired, is scheduled for February 1st, at Clinica Corominas. After this life changing operation, Stravensky should be able to live a healthy and comfortable life, and to pursue his ambitions without experiencing his current symptoms. From Stravensky: "I have been hoping to have my heart fixed ever since I was a small child - I can't believe it is finally happening!"

$935raised
$565to go

Olivia is a 28-year-old small scale farmer from Uganda. She is married and her husband is a boda boda driver, who unfortunately was injured last year. The couple has two children who are both in school, with their youngest in kindergarten. Olivia completed primary school and then worked as a house helper. She later stopped when she got married. Now, Olivia farms on her small piece of land and sometimes does casual labor work in other people's gardens to earn an income. In her free time, Olivia enjoys spend time with her family. Olivia is currently expecting her third child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section because of two previous C-Section scars. This will prevent complications, like uterine rupture, that could arise if she attempts a normal delivery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Olivia to deliver her baby safely. On March 9th, she will undergo a C-Section at AMH's care center. Now, Olivia needs help raising $252 to fund her procedure and care. Olivia shared, "I hope with your support, I will be able to have a successful delivery and I will be able to resume farming in good health."

$252raised
Fully funded

Rith is a 9-month-old baby from Cambodia. He is the youngest child, with three older sisters. Rith's mother stays home to look after the children, while his father works in construction. Rith's mom shared that he is a playful baby who only likes sweet foods - and he is not a fan of rice! About six months ago, Rith developed a mass on his forehead. The mass is swollen and causing his parents great concern. They traveled with Rith to our medical partner's care center so he can receive treatment. On January 31st, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will remove the mass. CSC is requesting $273 to fund this procedure, and Rith's family was able to contribute $75 to his care. Rith's mom said: "After surgery, I hope he looks better, and I don't have to worry."

$273raised
Fully funded

Met is a retired rice farmer from Prey Veng province. She is a widow with one daughter, four sons, and five grandchildren. She lives with her daughter, who supports them by working in an ice factory. She likes to spend time with her family and listen to the monks pray on the radio. Two years ago, Met developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, thus she is unable to travel on her own. When Met learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On February 13th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and implant an intraocular lens in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Met needs help to fund this $253 procedure. She said, "After surgery it will be easier for me to go to the pagoda and take care of my family."

$253raised
Fully funded

Noeun is a 67 year-old retired nurse from Prey Veng province. Neoun is a widow; sadly her husband passed away two years ago from diabetes. Noeun has one son, three daughters, and eight grandchildren who keep her busy. Currently, Noeun lives with her second eldest daughter who works at home as a tailor. At home, Noeun enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio. About two years ago, Noeun developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision. Noeun has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Noeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for three and half hours seeking treatment. On January 13th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, CSC is requesting help to fund this $253 procedure. Noeun shared, "I hope after the operation I can recognize faces clearly and get around easily by myself. I want to be able to help my daughter care for my grandchildren and do housework."

$253raised
Fully funded

Olivious is a 34-year-old single mother from Uganda. She lost her husband four years ago to a road accident, leaving her the only breadwinner of the family. She is a farmer and together with her two children, lives in their two-roomed mud-built house. Her income is quite limited, which frustrates her efforts to provide a quality life for her children. Olivious has had lower abdominal pain, backaches and fatigue for sometime. She has not been able to work as well as she needs, due to this pain. When she visited Nyakibale Hospital, she was diagnosed with a large pelvic mass and a curative laparotomy surgery was recommended to heal her condition. She is not able to raise the $242 needed, and thus appeals for help. Olivious says, “I am not able to work well in the farms. Please fund my surgery so that I can be treated and resume my duties with ease."

$242raised
Fully funded

Panha is a 14-year-old student from Cambodia who is studying in the 9th grade. He has an older and younger brother. His father works as a rice farmer, and his mother sells fish at the market. When Panha was a year old, he experienced burns on his legs from a cooking fire accident. Burn scan contractures have developed, tightening the skin around the burns, especially on his right foot. As a result, it is difficult for Panha to wear shoes and walk, his legs feel itchy, and he is shy around his peers at school. When Panha learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment for him. On November 17th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him walk easily again. CSC is requesting $495 procedure to fund this procedure. Panha's family was able to gather $100 to contribute to his care. Panha shared: "I hope I feel comfortable about my legs and can walk easily after this surgery."

$495raised
Fully funded

Gladys is a Kenyan mother of seven. She and her husband are small-scale farmers and sell potatoes to provide for their children. Currently, their income is not enough to cover their medical bills. A few weeks ago, Gladys was involved in a road accident involving a motorcycle that resulted in a degloving wound on her left leg. Degloving injuries are injuries where the upper skin and tissue layers are torn from the lower muscle or bone. Last week, she successfully underwent a wound debridement procedure, and the wound is now clean. The surgeon has recommended a skin grafting procedure to be done while the wound is still in good condition. She is appealing for financial assistance to undergo the procedure, which is scheduled for February 9th. Gladys has accumulated a huge hospital bill that she and her family have been unable to pay. As a result, she needs help raising $1,089 to fund her skin grafting procedure, which will allow her to heal quickly and attend to her children Gladys says, ”My long stay in the hospital has really worried me. I don’t know how my children are doing and that has traumatized me. Kindly help me get treatment so that I may be able to go home.”

$515raised
$574to go

Akram is a cute, curious 3-year-old from Tanzania. His mother is the family’s sole provider and works as a vendor at a local market, selling vegetables and fruits. Currently, Akram and his mother live in town to help save on living costs as he receives medical treatment, while his three siblings live with their grandmother in the village. Akram was diagnosed with bilateral genus varus, a condition in which his legs bow outwards so that his knees do not touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Akram receive treatment. On January 6th, he will undergo surgery that will restore his mobility, allow him to participate in various activities, and significantly decrease his risk of future complications. AMH is requesting $880 to fund this procedure. Akram’s mother shared: “As a single mother struggling to provide for my children, Akram’s condition has been weighing on me.”

$365raised
$515to go

Christine is a five-month-old baby girl from Kenya. She is the youngest child in a family of three children. Her parents separated before she was born, and she and her siblings went to live with her mother and grandmother. Sadly, her grandmother has passed away, and the family now relies on other family members. Unfortunately, a while ago, her mother was involved in an accident that makes it difficult for her to work. Christine has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Christine has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Christine will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Christine receive treatment. On January 18th, she will undergo a procedure where doctors will drain the excess fluid from her brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Christine will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Now, Christine and her family need help raising $720 to fund her procedure and care. Christine’s mother shared, “it is very stressful as sometimes she cries a lot and I cannot tell what’s wrong.”

$220raised
$500to go

Kanitha is a bright, 13 year old seventh grade student, living in Phnom Penh with her parents and two siblings. Her father stays home to care for the children, while her mother works as a chef. In her free time, Kanitha enjoys reading books and helping her father do housework. At school, mathematics is her favorite subject, and she aspires to be a teacher in the future. For the past two years, Kanitha has been experiencing sore throats and difficulty swallowing. She often feels tenderness in her throat, accompanied by a high fever. Her parents took her for treatment at a local hospital, where she was given antibiotics. Despite the medications, Kanitha continues to have frequent infections. She was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and to intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $265 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Kanitha. This procedure is scheduled to take place on January 17th, at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. Surgeons will remove Kanitha's tonsils and adenoids, which should relieve her of her symptoms, allowing her to live a healthier and more comfortable life. Kanitha's parents said: "We hope after her operation, her throat will get better, and she can eat and breathe easily."

$265raised
Fully funded