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Andrew NiermanUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER

Andrew's Story

Andrew joined Watsi on March 30th, 2018. Six years ago, Andrew joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Andrew's most recent donation supported U Than, a 60-year-old man from Burma, to fund a tumor removal surgery.

Impact

Andrew has funded healthcare for 73 patients in 11 countries.

Patients funded by Andrew

U Than is a 60-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his daughter, son in-law and his three grandchildren. Two of his grandchildren go to school while the youngest is still at home. His daughter works to maintain their home and her husband works in agriculture. Toward the end of September, 2026, U Than began to experience lower abdominal pain and constipation. He tried medications from the pharmacy with little relief. On October 1st, 2026, he went to a clinic where he received medication that alleviated his symptoms temporarily. However, on October 20th, 2026, his symptoms returned. A care provider completed an ultrasound and suspected a bowel obstruction, so U Than was referred to our medical partner's care center, Mae Sot Hospital (MSH), for further evaluation. At MSH, a CT scan was completed, which revealed a mass in his colon that his doctor suspected was caused by colon or cecal cancer. The doctor recommended surgery to remove the mass and potentially the colon. Currently, U Than is experiencing severe pain which is preventing him from sitting, walking, or sleeping. U Than has sought support for his treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. He is now scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on October 28th and is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. U Than's daughter said, "I worry about where to look for money for my father's treatment. I cannot sleep due to this stress, and my father also cannot sleep due to his pain. We feel sad that we do not know where to look for money to borrow. Thank you for your support."

$607raised
$893to go

Zin is a 36-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his wife, one daughter, and two sons in Mae Sot, Tak Province, Thailand. He works as a part-time teacher in Mae Sot, while his wife is a homemaker. Zin's daughter and one son attend school, while the youngest son is too young to attend school. Unfortunately, Zin had to stop working in June 2026 because of his health issues. For their basic healthcare, the family usually visits Mae Tao Clinic (MTC) in Mae Sot, which provides free healthcare services. Zin was diagnosed with a heart condition that requires valve replacement. Heart valves control the flow of blood between chambers, but certain conditions may narrow the heart valve or cause the blood to flow backwards. Normal valve function is necessary to prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. Currently, Zin is still suffering from breathlessness on exertion and severe shortness of breath that wakes him after falling asleep. He mentioned that since his last visit to Mae Sot Hospital, his symptoms have become more severe. He can only walk a short distance and cannot sleep at night because of the breathlessness. Because of his health condition and inability to work, the family is facing financial difficulties, along with emotional stress and worry. After his surgery, follow-up visits, and full recovery, Zin plans to find a job to support his family’s daily expenses and continue living with his family. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a heart valve replacement for Zin. The treatment is scheduled to take place on September 1st at our medical partner's care center, Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital, and once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Zin expressed his gratitude, saying, “Thank you so much indeed to the organisation [BCMF] and the donors for your willingness and kindness in assisting with my surgery costs. I cannot fully describe in words how happy and thankful I am that I now have the opportunity to undergo surgery, which I could not even dream of without your support. I wish all of you good health, long lives, and great prosperity.”

$956raised
$544to go

Tennyson is a playful 11-year-old boy from Kenya. He is currently in grade 3 and loves drawing and playing with friends. His father is a construction worker, while his mother is a home maker. Tennyson has clubfoot of right foot, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. Tennyson was also born with a hearing impairment. His mother first noticed that his right foot was bending when he was three years old. “He struggled to walk and would often complain of pain, and as he grew, it only got worse,” she recalls. They sought help at a nearby hospital but were informed that the condition could not be treated there. With no clear solution, they returned home. As time passed, the condition worsened. The pain increased, Tennyson's foot began to swell, and walking became more difficult. Eventually, Tennyson had to stop going to school because he could no longer walk. One of his teachers grew concerned and reached out to the family. After learning about Tennyson’s condition, the teacher informed his mother about a mobile clinic by AIC CURE Hospital, where Tennyson could undergo a review. At the clinic, Tennyson was assessed and scheduled for serial casting and a clubfoot surgery. He has been undergoing the casting and is now ready for the repair surgery, which has been scheduled for May 25th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Tennyson's clubfoot repair. After treatment, his foot will gradually straighten and restore his ability to walk. Tennyson's mother says: “I am praying that his foot will be straightened, so that he can walk without pain, go back to school, and live like other children.”

$1,286raised
Fully funded

Yeniya is a seven-year-old active and sociable boy from Ethiopia. He enjoys riding his bicycle and playing football with his friends. He has a keen interest in environmental science and loves spending time with his younger sister. Yeniya lives with his parents and his two sisters in a small one-room iron-sheet house. Their family home was destroyed two years ago during the construction of a new government structure, leaving them in a difficult living situation. Yeniya's mother is a dedicated homemaker, while his father works as a daily laborer. Together, they strive to meet their children’s needs. Yeniya's parents were unaware of his condition until last year, when Yeniya began experiencing pain in the scrotal area. His mother took him to a health center, where he was diagnosed with an undescended testis and advised that he would need surgical intervention. The doctor also expressed concern that the condition had not been addressed earlier and referred them to a specialized hospital. Overwhelmed with emotion, Yeniya's mother relayed the diagnosis to his father, and they took him to the referred hospital. Yeniya was placed on the surgical wait list. As months went by, his father frequently inquired about the status of the case, worried that the condition might get worse due to treatment delay. One day, eight months later, they received a call from the referral hospital informing them that Yeniya had been further referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM). Yeniya has been diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Yeniya has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Yeniya will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on February 24th. AMH is requesting $754 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Yeniya's father said, "We are grateful for the opportunity for our son's treatment, and hope that the surgery will go well, and he will recover."

$754raised
Fully funded