T
thomas' Story

thomas joined Watsi on April 20th, 2017. Nine years ago, thomas joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. thomas' most recent donation supported Anamiel, a 14-month-old boy from Ethiopia, to fund corrective surgery for a birth condition.

Impact

thomas has funded healthcare for 120 patients in 12 countries.

Patients funded by thomas

Beatrice is 45 years old and a mother of two from Malawi. She is a widow and sells second-hand clothing to support her family. Through determination and hard work, she managed to sustain her household despite many challenges. However, a long battle with uterine fibroids has now left her fighting not only for her livelihood but also for her health and survival. Before her illness, Beatrice enjoyed an active and productive life. She took pride in her small business and supported herself through her daily efforts. In 2013, Beatrice started to experience heavy bleeding, severe headaches, and persistent back pain. The symptoms progressively worsened, causing great concern and affecting her quality of life. Seeking medical help, Beatrice visited a hospital, where a scan revealed uterine fibroids. She underwent a myomectomy to remove the fibroids, offering relief from her symptoms. For nearly ten years, she lived comfortably and continued supporting herself through her business. Unfortunately, in 2024, her symptoms returned. She was bleeding heavily, causing her severe anemia. She required a blood transfusion to bring her back to health. Doctors determined that a Total Abdominal Hysterectomy (TAH) would be the most appropriate treatment to address her condition and prevent potentially fatal complications permanently. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,363 to fund Beatrice's surgery. On August 19th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center. Once recovered, Beatrice will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Beatrice shared, "Your support will be highly appreciated to save my life."

$840raised
$523to go

Mitchelle is a 12-year-old girl from Kenya. She is shy but determined. Mitchelle is in eighth grade and dreams of becoming a teacher one day. Her inspiration comes from her English teacher, whose passion and eagerness in the classroom motivate Mitchelle to pursue the same path and help others learn. We met Mitchelle at CURE Children’s Hospital, where she had come for treatment, accompanied by her parents. Her mother is a peasant farmer who works hard to support the family and ensure her children have the opportunity to go to school. Mitchelle was born healthy and grew up like any other child. However, last year, while visiting her aunt, something unusual was noticed. As Mitchelle bathed, her aunt noticed a pronounced bend in her spine, affecting her posture while standing, walking, and causing pain while bending. Concerned, she immediately informed Mitchelle’s parents and advised them to seek medical help. Her aunt also told them about the CURE mobile clinic in Kabarnet, encouraging them to attend so that Mitchelle could be examined by specialists. Physicians at AIC Cure International Hospital determined that Mitchelle should undergo a procedure called a spinal fusion. This surgery fuses two or more unstable vertebrae together to reinforce the back structure with the goal of reducing pain and easing symptoms. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place on March 19th, and once completed, it will hopefully improve Mitchelle's quality of life. “I am looking forward to getting better so that I can stand upright, return to school comfortably, and continue working hard to become a teacher one day,” Mitchelle shared softly.

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Thatt is a 24-year-old former construction driver from Cambodia. He is the youngest of five siblings. All his brothers and sisters are married and live separately. He lives with his widowed mother, a rice farmer, in Siem Reap province. In his free time, Thatt enjoys playing games on his phone and helping his mother with household tasks. Four months ago, Thatt was involved in a motorcycle accident after losing control while driving too fast around a corner. He suffered head trauma and a fracture in his left shoulder, and he was unconscious for several hours at a local hospital. After ten days, he was discharged and returned home. For ongoing rehabilitative care, he visited a Khmer traditional healer, but he is unable to use his left arm. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. He is unable to move or lift his left hand and continues to experience pain. He has also developed Horner’s Syndrome, a condition affecting the sympathetic nervous system that causes symptoms such as a drooping eyelid and facial changes on one side. These disabilities prevent him from working and from helping to support his mother. Thatt traveled to our medical partner's care center, Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, to receive treatment. This is the only center in the whole country where this treatment is available. On October 14th, with the help of our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he hopes to use his left hand again, allowing him to find work and perform daily activities. Thatt's family can contribute $50 towards his medical care, but needs help raising the remaining $687 in funds. Thatt said: "After this operation, I hope to use my left hand again to return to work and support my family."

$687raised
Fully funded

Tongseng is a 36-year-old man from Cambodia. He lives in Takeo Province with his wife and two children, aged seven and one. His wife sells fruit at the local market to support the family. Tongseng also helps her with the business whenever possible, and enjoys cooking for his family. Two years ago, Tongseng began experiencing severe pain in his hips, along with difficulty walking and sitting for long periods. The condition gradually worsened, limiting his mobility and preventing him from helping his wife at the market. He also had to give up playing sports, one of his favorite hobbies. Seeking answers, Tongseng traveled to Vietnam, where he was diagnosed with bilateral avascular necrosis, which is death of bone tissue due to interruption of the blood supply. He could not afford surgery in Vietnam, and returned to Cambodia. Tongseng recently underwent surgery on his right hip through our medical partner, Children's Surgical Center (CSC). The operation was successful, and his condition has improved. He is now seeking treatment for the left hip to fully regain his mobility and independence. Our medical partner, CSC, is helping Tongseng receive treatment. On September 3rd, he will undergo hip hemi-arthroplasty on his left hip, allowing him to walk more easily, relieve his pain, and help him return to supporting his family. Tongseng and his family are able to contribute $100 towards the cost of his treatment and need help raising $612 more to fund the surgery, postoperative care, and physiotherapy. Tongseng shared, "I hope I can have the surgery, so I can feel healthy and work with my wife in the market to support our family."

$612raised
Fully funded

Eh Mu is a 26-year-old woman from Burma who lives with her husband, her parents, older sister, older brother, younger sister, younger brother, her son and her nephew in a refugee camp in Thailand. Eh Mu and her family fled to the refugee camp in 2022 due to an airstrike and fighting in her village. Her parents are retired while her older brother and husband sometimes went to work outside of the camp as day laborers, while her older sister looks after a dormitory in the camp. Her son is a nursery school student. Eh Mu is a homemaker and makes custom dresses on order. During her free time, Eh Mu loves to play with her three-year-old son, spend time with her family, and listen to music on her phone. Eh Mu is currently expecting her second child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section because of a high-risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Eh Mu undergo a C-Section on December 22nd at our medical partner's care center, Tha Song Yang Hospital. This procedure will cost $1500, and Eh Mu needs your support. Eh Mu said, “When I noticed my pregnancy, I started feel stress instead of happy. I worry that if I need to deliver my baby through surgery, then I cannot afford to pay for the surgery. When I gave birth through c-section in Burma for my first baby, at that time the treatment cost is less but here in Thailand is very expensive for what I heard from my friend. At first, I was thinking of returning to Burma to give birth, but fighting continues in my village and it is not safe to return so I have no other option. After I learned from the doctor that there will be an organization who will support my surgery cost, I feel like all my stress and worries are gone. I am happy and thankful to BCMF and all their donors who are available for me during this difficult time”.

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Divyana is a cheerful eight-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He loves playing football and spending time with his friends and younger brother. He lives in Sekota, and they travelled approximately 870 kilometers to seek treatment, a journey that took three days. His mother is a dedicated housewife, while his father works as an agricultural officer in a government institution. Together, his parents work hard to support their family and meet their children’s needs. Divyana's mother discovered his condition at birth and was immediately overwhelmed with frustration and panic. Questions raced through her mind, she says, “What is wrong with him? Is it my fault? How can I help my child?” Fear and stress consumed her, but her instinct to protect him never wavered. She began seeking information about his condition, choosing not to share too much with him to safeguard his emotional well-being. To prevent potential teasing or stigma, she instructed him to isolate himself whenever he went to the bathroom, warning him that other children might ridicule him if they saw him. She repeated this often, worried about how his condition might affect his social life and learning, especially since hypospadias is uncommon in their community. Divyana frequently compared himself to his younger brother and asked his mother why he was different. These moments left her feeling helpless, with no answers, only tears. One day, while visiting a relative in Addis Ababa who was undergoing orthopedic treatment, Divyana ’s mother heard about several successful cases being treated at the facility. Curious and hopeful, she began asking questions, but without revealing her son’s condition. Eventually, she received the contact information for the field patient coordinator at our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre. Doctors confirmed that Divyana was born with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of future complications. Fortunately, Divyana is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on November 20th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Divyana's mother said, "I wish my child were very healthy, and I am thrilled to get this opportunity."

$1,293raised
Fully funded