Adham BadrUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER
Adham's Story

Adham joined Watsi on July 1st, 2016. Seven years ago, Adham joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Adham's most recent donation traveled 4,100 miles to support Ma Pyae, a woman from Burma, to fund life-saving heart surgery.

Impact

Adham has funded healthcare for 59 patients in 10 countries.

Patients funded by Adham

Ma Pyae lives with her mother, brother, sister, and niece in Yangon Division, Burma. She works in a sewing factory, her younger sister is a day laborer, and her older brother is unemployed due to illness. Her mother is a homemaker, and her niece is a student. Their combined family income is enough to cover their daily expenses, but they cannot afford expensive surgery. Ma Pyae was born with a congenital heart defect, but her condition has deteriorated, and she has experienced fast breathing, heart palpitations, and cannot sleep. She went to see the doctor, received an echocardiogram, and was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect that affects the blood flowing through the lungs. Ma Pyae needs surgery as soon as possible. She still experiences heart palpitations and fast breathing if she is more active or walks a longer distance. She cannot sleep well at night because of her heart palpitations. Ma Pyae said, "I am a bit worried about my surgery, and I also worry that I will lose my job in the factory. After I recover from my surgery, I will continue to work in the same factory and contribute to my family."

$598raised
$902to go

Thu Zar is a 47-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives with her daughter and son-in-law. She is a homemaker, her daughter is a babysitter and her son-in-law is a construction worker. Thu Zar spends most of her time doing household chores, allowing her daughter and son-in-law to concentrate on their work. Since March 2023, Thu Zar has been experiencing occasional heavy bleeding and a gradual enlargement of her abdomen which she had initially thought was caused from gaining weight. Now, she has been diagnosed with leiomyoma--a tumor in the uterus, also known as uterine fibroids. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Thu Zar's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Thu Zar is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on August 21st. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, Thu Zar will no longer have her worrying symptoms. Thu Zar said, “Because of my condition, I feel worried, fearful, and sad. At the same time, I feel relieved and happy that my condition is treatable through surgery and that it is not cancerous. I am grateful to everyone for their support in facilitating my treatment."

$953raised
$547to go

Agnes is a mother of three children, aged between 3 to 7 years old. She works as a tailor who mends clothes for a living while her husband works on construction sites. Income from this job is inconsistent and often negligible. They live in a one-room rental house in a semi-rural town. Earlier this month, Agnes was involved in a road accident while traveling from church. She reports that the brakes of the car they were traveling in failed and they rolled off the road. She was rushed to Kijabe Hospital where she was stabilized and an X-ray revealed a right distal radius fracture. It is difficult for her to use her hand, and she is in constant pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On July 14th, Agnes will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help her heal without a deformity. It will also enable her to use her hand again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. Agnes says, “This accident got us unaware. I broke my arm but I am glad it can be rectified. I thank God my life was saved but I still need this treatment to avoid having a deformity. ”

$705raised
$795to go

Wine is a three-year-old boy who lives with his parents and siblings in Karen State - an area of Burma that is in a state of crisis and conflict. Wine’s father is a construction day laborer and his mother stays at home with Wine and his siblings. Wine's older brother lives in Bangkok and his sister lives in Shan State and is able to send Wine's household money every month. His other four siblings are students. Wine was born in 2019 with a condition called hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is caused by a brain malformation or birth defect that causes excessive cerebrospinal fluid to accumulate in brain cavities. Cerebrospinal fluid is a clear, colorless liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, protecting them from injury. It carries nutrients to the brain and spinal cord and takes away waste. In a healthy person, the amount of this fluid produced by the brain is absorbed by the body. In hydrocephalus, the fluid fails to drain and accumulates, leading to pressure on the brain. Wine's symptoms include a lump on the bridge of his nose. His eyes frequently water, and he cries a lot when he is in severe pain. Additionally, his head is gradually increasing in size as the fluid continues to build. The condition is most often treated by inserting a shunt. The shunt diverts excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the brain to another part of the body where the fluid can be reabsorbed. Wine visited a doctor when he was born to address the issue. While he was in the process of receiving treatment across the border at a hospital in Thailand, the Thai-Burma border shut down due to the outbreak of COVID-19. With the closure of the Thai-Burma border, Wine and his family could not go back to his follow-up care. Fortunately, after the Thai-Burma border reopened, Wine was able to meet with our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). Wine received a CT scan at Mae Sot General Hospital and the doctor was able to diagnose the issue and scheduled Wine to undergo surgery immediately on June 2nd. BCMF is now requesting $1,500 to help fund this procedure. Wine's mother said, "I want him to be able to walk, sit, and be healthy like other children his age. My husband and two of my children work, so I can take good care of Wine. I cry a lot whenever I see Wine suffering from pain, but now I feel like I no longer have to shed a tear for him because of that. I don’t want to be rich, nor do I want him to be rich. I only want Wine to be healthy and happy."

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Ko Thaw, who is 27 years old, lives with his extended family in Burma. In early June 2022, Ko Thaw- who was working in a factory in Malaysia- developed a headache. Later that day, he also experienced chest pain, a racing heart, and an episode of vomiting. His employer brought him to the hospital, and after some testing, Ko Thaw was informed there was a problem with his aortic valve. He was given medications and a follow-up appointment. In January 2023, Ko Thaw's health deteriorated, and he was brought back to the hospital. An echocardiogram showed aortic valve regurgitation, and Ko Thaw was told that he would need surgery. His employer wouldn't pay for the surgery, and as Ko Thaw couldn't afford to pay for this on his own, he tried to manage his condition with medication. But when the medications stopped working, Ko Thaw decided to move back to Burma. Ko Thaw was referred to our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. With their help, he is now scheduled to undergo mitral valve replacement surgery on May 14th at Pun Hlaing Hospital. For Ko Thaw, who currently experiences chest pain, insomnia, muscle stiffness, and headaches with fever, this surgery can't happen soon enough. Now he is seeking your help to raise $1,500 to cover the cost of his treatment. "I hope I can find suitable work soon after my surgery. I would like to say thank you so much. You all do incredible work for poor people who need assistance," said Ko Thaw.

$834raised
$666to go

Zaw, who is 29 years old, lives with his wife and extended family members in Karen State, Burma. He and his wife are currently unemployed, although Zaw hopes to work as a second-hand motorbike seller. Zaw has had an irregular heartbeat since he was 10 years old. Although he visited a local clinic as a child, he was never provided a definitive diagnosis. By January 2022, he began to experience fatigue. His back and neck were stiff, and he lost his appetite. He also had difficulty sleeping, experienced a persistent cough and body aches, and his lips turned blue. After multiple hospital visits, Zaw was told he had a heart condition that required surgery. Unable to afford surgery in Burma, Zaw sought affordable care at Mae Tao Clinic (MTC) in Thailand. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, he received a free echocardiogram, which revealed he had mitral valve regurgitation, atrial valve regurgitation, pulmonary valve regurgitation, and patent ductus arteriosus. He is now scheduled for a procedure at Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital in Bangkok on April 18th to repair or replace three of his valves and address any other issues with his heart. Currently, Zaw continues to experience fatigue, thus he is unable to work. He experiences shortness of breath and a racing heartbeat, for which he requires oxygen therapy three times a day. He needs your help to raise the $1,500 to fund his life-changing surgery. Zaw said: “I want to be free from this disease as soon as possible. Thank you all for helping with my treatment cost.”

$942raised
$558to go

Daw Htar is retired and lives with her daughter. In her free time, Daw Htar like to help clean the house and sew clothes. Daw Htar has lost most of the vision in her right eye. Sometimes, her eye feels watery or itchy. She has difficulty seeing clearly and recognizing faces. Because the vision in her left eye is also blurry, for the past month she has had to rely on her daughter to guide her when she walks. Fortunately, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), is helping Daw Htar receive treatment. On December 20th, she will undergo lens replacement surgery, during which they will remove Daw Htar's natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help raising $1,500 for her procedure and care. Daw Htar shared, "I feel so upset that my condition worsens every day. I cannot sleep well, because I am worried about what will happen if I do not get better."

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Sambath is a 42-year-old soldier who now lives in a rural province of Cambodia with his mother. In his free time Sambath enjoys reading books, watching TV, listening to music, and meeting with friends. One year ago Sambath began experiencing pain in both hips. Now he has difficulty walking. Sambath was evaluated by doctors and due to the osteonecrosis in his hips, where his bones break down due to lack of blood flow, a total hip replacement surgery is recommended to restore his mobility. Fortunately, Sambath learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Sambath of his pain and allow him to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for November 23rd, and Sambath needs help raising $1,087 to pay for this procedure. Sambath says, "I really hope that the pain will go away and I can walk easily again."

$1,087raised
Fully funded

Sreng is a 45-year-old mechanic. He has one daughter who is a young student. Sreng's wife works in a garment factory. Right now, Sreng cannot work due to his poor vision. He enjoys being able to listening to the news on the radio. Due to a traffic accident one year ago, the retina of Sreng's left eye detached, causing him vision loss and pain. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Sreng learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On October 13th, eye surgeons will perform a retinal detachment repair procedure on his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, Sreng needs help to fund this $648 procedure. Sreng says, "I hope I can see clearly so I can return to my job to support my daughter's schooling."

$648raised
Fully funded

Marher is an adorable and smart 22-month-old boy from Ethiopia. He loves to run and play outdoor games. Marher is the only child in his family, and he loves talking with others. His dad is a construction worker but is currently not working since the termination of the project due to Covid-19 and hyperinflation of construction materials. His mom is a cook and the breadwinner of the family as of now. Her income is limited to sustain their family needs. They live in a rented house which makes their living conditions expensive, and so they often depend on support from friends and family. Marher was born with hypospadias, a congenital abnormality that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of infertility. Fortunately, Marher is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on October 14th, 2021. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMH), is requesting $1,293 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. His dad said, “Marher will be happy if he receives the surgery and recovers to live like any other boy. He will not be psychologically affected by his condition as he grows up. I hope he will be educated and lead a quality life.”

$1,293raised
Fully funded

Taw is a 43-year-old teacher. She and her husband work at the same Bible school and their daughter is enrolled in that school's nursery program. In her free time, she enjoys singing and reading with her students. She enjoys growing organic vegetables at home, and growing her own vegetables helps reduce household expenses. On August 19th, Taw was walking home with part of a banana tree she had just cut down for her family's dinner. It was drizzling and the dirt road was slippery. She slipped and fell, breaking both bones in her left forearm. She experiences pain that worsens when she moves her arm. She is worried about being admitted to a hospital for surgery, because she has never been admitted to a hospital before. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Taw will undergo surgery to reset her fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for August 20th and will cost $1,500. This procedure will help Taw's arm heal properly. She will no longer be in pain and she will be able to go back to school and look after her daughter. Taw shared, "I hope this treatment will allow me to go back to work and take care of my daughter again."

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Jackson is a three-year-old boy and loving big brother. His father's work at the welding shop provides the main source of income for the family. His earnings are just enough to support the household. Jackson's mother is not working so she can take care of Jackson and his very young sibling. The family currently lives in a small rented house. Jackson was born with hypospadias, which causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of infertility. Fortunately, Jackson is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on July 27th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $735 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Jackson’s mother says, “It is difficult for us to raise the money for his treatment as we always rely on the National Insurance, which has turned us down.”

$735raised
Fully funded