United States   •   October 18th   •   Carvana
Juan's Story

Juan joined Watsi on September 9th, 2015. Six years ago, Juan joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Juan's most recent donation traveled 8,300 miles to support Htee, an expectant mother from Burma, to fund a C-section to safely deliver her baby.

Impact

Juan has funded healthcare for 86 patients in 11 countries.

Patients funded by Juan

Heak is 60 years old and a hardworking rice farmer from Cambodia. She lives with her niece, who is a Grade 12 student. She is the seventh of ten siblings, all of whom are married. Her parents passed away during the Khmer Rouge era. Despite many hardships in life, she continues to support herself through rice farming. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music and helping with household chores. In 2024, Heak was involved in an overturned car accident while traveling in Thailand, resulting in a severe fracture of her left femur near the knee. Although she underwent surgery to stabilize the fracture, the bone failed to heal properly and developed into a nonunion, causing ongoing pain in her left knee and leg. Heak experiences persistent pain and stiffness in her left knee, making it difficult to walk without support. The condition limits her independence, affects her ability to work in the rice fields, and makes everyday activities challenging. Fortunately, Heak learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), and sought treatment. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total knee replacement to relieve Heak of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for June 1st. Heak can contribute $100, but needs help raising $1,213 more for her procedure and care. Heak said, “I hope this treatment will help me walk without support again and live without pain. Being able to move independently would mean so much to me and allow me to return to my normal life.”

$688raised
$525to go

Kaung is a six-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his mother, older sister, and younger brother in Phop Prah District, Tak Province, Thailand. In January 2025, they left their home in Bago Division, Burma, to escape the violence around their village due to the civil war and in search of better job opportunities. Since the family moved to Thailand, Kaung’s mother has been unable to register Kaung for school. However, in May 2026, he will resume his education in grade 1. Kaung’s older sister is a homemaker, and his younger brother is too young to go to school. Kaung’s mother is an agricultural day labourer, but work is not always available. Kaung and his family live in a raised bamboo house and need to climb up a ladder at the entrance to enter their home. On the 20th of March 2026, Kaung was at the top of the ladder, taking in laundry that was drying outside, when he fell backwards onto the stones on the ground below. He fell on his right side and reached his arm out during the fall. He began to cry, and his mother found him on the ground in severe pain, with massive swelling around his elbow. She called their neighbours who could speak Thai, and together they brought Kaung to a local clinic. He was referred to a bigger hospital, where an X-ray revealed he had fractured his elbow and needed surgery. Kaung is in constant pain, affecting his sleep and ability to perform daily tasks, such as eating and dressing himself. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Kaung will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for April 3rd and will cost $1,500. This procedure will help Kaung to grab things and eat properly again. He will no longer be in pain after surgery. Kaung's mother said, “When the hospital talked about money, my son started to cry, because he knew that I could not afford his treatment. He is a good boy for the family and understands our situation. He told me that he did not want to receive treatment so we wouldn’t have to borrow money.”

$1,500raised
Fully funded

32-year-old Lornah lives with her husband and three young children on a quiet hillside in Kenya. Her days are usually simple, tending to a few potato rows and mango trees with her husband, caring for her children, and managing the little they have with gratitude. Even though life is often difficult, she has always been known for her determination and deep love for her family. Lornah is now in the third trimester of her fourth pregnancy, but she continues to do as much as she can to care for her family. Two weeks ago, the children had gone without a proper meal, and the house was nearly empty of food. Her husband had gone to look for casual work. Out of necessity, Lornah decided to gather mangoes to sell, as has happened before. Lornah had climbed the same tree many times before, but that day would change everything. As she held onto the branches carefully, she accidentally stepped on a dry branch that looked firm. It suddenly snapped. She lost her balance before she could steady herself, and in an instant, she fell. The pain was sharp, and she could not stand. More than anything, she feared for her unborn baby. Neighbors rushed to her aid and took her to the nearest health facility. There, she received first aid and was stabilized, before being referred to the hospital for further management. When she arrived, the pain was intense. She was given medication and sent for an X-ray. The results showed a pelvic ring fracture, that has since confined her to bed. She also had an olecranon fracture on her elbow. Thankfully, the unborn baby was unharmed and has continued to be well, something Lornah is grateful for. Lorna underwent a surgical repair of the elbow fracture, and although it was partially aligned, further imaging revealed that it was comminuted, broken into several pieces, making a second surgery necessary. This time, Lornah would need an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedure to fix the bone properly. Her pelvic injury requires long periods of bed rest, meaning Lornah cannot sit, walk, or take care of herself without assistance. Her husband now moves between the fields, the house, and the hospital, trying to manage everything at once. Their three young children are being cared for by their father, and they keep asking when Mama will come home. Now, facing a second surgery, Lornah has another challenge: her medical cover won't support a second procedure, and her family simply cannot afford the cost. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Lornah receive treatment. On December 9th, she will undergo a fracture repair procedure at AIC Kapsowar Hospital. This treatment will help her recover and return home in time to welcome her new baby. Now Lornah's family needs help to fund this $1,014 procedure. Lonah says: "I thank God that me and my unborn child survived the fall. I am looking forward to a day when I will be on my feet. I hope I get better before the baby is born. Please support my treatment."

$1,014raised
Fully funded