Sylvia Saxenian
Sylvia's Story

Sylvia joined Watsi on December 6th, 2015. 23 other people also joined Watsi on that day! Sylvia's most recent donation supported Jane, a farmer from Kenya, for breast cancer treatment.

Impact

Sylvia has funded healthcare for 16 patients in 5 countries.

Patients funded by Sylvia

Musiimire is a 43-year-old primary school teacher who lives with her three children in Uganda. “About seven months ago, Musiimire felt severe abdominal pains but did not know the cause,” our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us. “She went to a clinic and was told that she had multiple uterine fibroids. She was told that she needed a surgery, but she did not have the money.” Fibroids are tumors that grow within the muscle tissue of the uterus. They can be very small (invisible to the naked eye) or very large (melon-sized) and can present as a single mass or a cluster of several masses. Some women who have fibroids have no symptoms, but others experience heavy periods, abdominal pain, or constipation. AMHF reports, “Musiimire feels severe pain in the lower abdomen. Her menstrual days have become irregular and she has heavy bleeding. If not treated, Musiimire will continue experiencing pain and she will at risk of developing anemia.” Doctors recommended that Musiimire undergo surgery—a total abdominal hysterectomy—to remove her uterus and cervix. Musiimire’s income from teaching barely pays for her family’s basic needs, and her parents are unable to help her pay for the surgery that she needs. $165 pays for Musiimire’s surgery, medicine, and a four-day hospital stay. AMHF says, “After the surgery, Musiimire will have relief from pain and no longer be at risk of developing anemia.” “I hope for a better life and to be able take care of my children because I have lived with pain for very long,” shares Musiimire.

$165raised
Fully funded

“Basemara is a house wife. She has been married for fourteen years but she has never had a child,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Basemera is 43 years old, and lives in Uganda with her husband. Basemera has uterine fibroids, or noncancerous growths of the uterine tissue. “Basemera has had lower abdominal pain for two years. She also has severe, very painful menstruation,” explains AMHF. “She has not been able to do any gardening for over eight months because of the pain. If not treated, Basemera will continue experiencing pain.” Basemera was initially advised to have surgery but could not afford treatment, and she has been visiting hospitals for medicine that temporarily relieve her pain. “Her husband doesn’t have a stable income; he operates a motorcycle taxi as his main source of income. Basemera depends on her husband for most of her needs, but sometimes when she has surplus from her harvest, she sells it to get money for basic house needs,” continues AMHF. For $250, Basemera can receive a total abdominal hysterectomy to remove her uterus, strengthen her pelvic floor, and fully relieve her painful symptoms. This cost includes hospital inpatient fees, surgical supplies, laboratory work, medication, and medical staff. AMHF says, “After surgery, Basemara will no longer be in pain. She hopes to get well again and resume her gardening, even to a larger scale for income generation.” Basemara is eager to regain her health. She tells us, “I have lived in pain for a long time, and I am very poor. I will be grateful if I get surgery and am relieved of pain. Thank you for your help.”

$250raised
Fully funded