P
Partha R. SarathyUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER

United States
Partha's Story

Partha joined Watsi on August 8th, 2013. Three years ago, Partha joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Partha's most recent donation traveled 8,800 miles to support Seng, a 16-year-old boy from Cambodia, to fund surgery to improve his strength and mobility.

Impact

Partha has funded healthcare for 92 patients in 14 countries.

Patients funded by Partha

Kenawaka is a playful and cheerful 15-month-old boy from Ethiopia, who enjoys spending time with his older sister. He lives with his parents and sister in a rented home. His father works as an accountant to support the family, while his mother is a homemaker. Kenawaka's mother first noticed that something was different when she took Kenawaka to the hospital for circumcision. After examining him, the doctor told them that he would need specialized assessment and treatment, and referred them to a public referral hospital in the capital city. Following the referral, Kenawaka's parents waited another year due to a long surgical wait list. Though they were increasingly anxious, they could not afford care in a private facility so they continued hoping that they would be attended to soon. Recently, the referral hospital informed Kenawaka's parents to bring him to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM). Kenawaka was diagnosed 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, Kenawaka is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on September 25th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Kenawaka's father said, “Thank you so much to everyone at BethanyKids. We are truly grateful to all the staff for their kindness and care. Everyone has treated us with so much respect and made us feel comfortable throughout this journey. We are very happy and thankful for the support Kenawaka has received. We love our son so much, and our greatest wish is to see him healthy and happy after his surgery.”

$1,128raised
$164to go

Eyosyas is a cheerful five-year-old boy from Ethiopia who loves playing with his older sister, watching cartoons, and spending time with his family. He lives with his parents and older sister. His father works as a daily laborer in construction, while his mother cares for the family. When Eyosiyas was still a baby, his mother noticed that something was different about his body. She was advised by a doctor to wait and observe. Four years later, his mother's concerns returned after a relative sent her a photo of her cousin's son, who was the same age as Eyosiyas. Comparing the two boys' development, she questioned whether Eyosiyas's condition was normal. She took him back to the health center for another examination. Eyosyas was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remain undescended. If left untreated, Eyosyas has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Eyosyas was referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre, and will undergo surgery on July 24th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $754 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Eyosiyas's mother shared, "I am so happy to be here and to have this opportunity for my son. As a parent, I never imagined we would receive such high-quality care free of charge. We are deeply grateful to BethanyKids and everyone who made this possible. Thank you so much for your kindness and support. May God bless you all."

$518raised
$236to go

Sabita is 12 years old and a 5th-grade student from India. She is the youngest among six siblings, having four brothers and two sisters. Sabita is cheerful, cooperative, and emotionally resilient. She enjoys drawing and dancing, which reflect her creative and lively personality. She comes across as a determined child with a positive attitude towards treatment and recovery, supported closely by her family. Her family engages in farming and daily wage labor. About 10 years ago, Sabita sustained a severe burn injury after accidentally falling into boiling curry. The injury resulted in post-burn scars and contractures involving her right hand, elbow, and forearm, leading to difficulty in movement and function. Sabita has been receiving care with our medical partner, G.S. Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital and Trauma Center, and has been under follow-up for the management of post-burn treatment. The burn injury and resulting post-burn contractures have significantly affected Sabita's mobility, function, and daily activities. Her scars and limited movement also affect her self-confidence and social interactions with peers. These limitations may interfere with academic performance, play, and participation in extracurricular activities such as dancing, which she enjoys. When Sabita's family learned about G.S. Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital and Trauma Center, they traveled for 2.5 hours seeking treatment. On May 27th, specialty surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery, which will improve her mobility and prevent further worsening of the post-burn contractures. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,442 procedure. Sabita's father shared, "Our only wish is that our daughter can use her hand properly and live like other children. She has suffered a lot since childhood, yet she always stays cheerful and brave."

$1,442raised
Fully funded

Hikma is a charming 20-month-old girl who lives with her parents and older brother in Ethiopia. Her parents were small-scale farmers until they were displaced due to war in their area. Now, her mother is a dedicated home maker, and her father works as a daily laborer. As with many other displaced families, it has been difficult for them to afford their daily necessities. Hikma was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital condition that can lead to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. However, the symptoms were not obvious until she was around one year old. Her mother was deeply distressed by what she observed and immediately informed Hikma’s grandmother, who then began seeking for medical assistance. To avoid social stigma, however, the family tried to keep Hikma’s condition private. Eventually, the grandmother came across a Catholic missionary organization, which connected the family with a field coordinator of our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM). With the support of relatives and the Catholic missionaries, Hikma's family raised funds to travel to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival at the hospital, doctors explained that Hikma would need a series of surgeries to eliminate bowel dysfunction. The family was relieved and encouraged to hear that Hikma could be helped. Presently, Hikma has already undergone the first surgery, a colostomy creation, and recovered well. Now, Hikma needs support for her second surgery, which will occur on April 20th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Hikma's procedure and care. After her recovery, Hikma will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Hikma’s mother said, “I would like to thank you sincerely for your support and the services you provided. Thank you again. I truly hope my child will grow up to be a wonderful woman.”

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Tith is a 16-year-old boy from Cambodia. He lives with his family in Svay Rieng Province. Tith and his older brother work in customer service at a local jewelry shop. His father works as a tuk-tuk motorcycle taxi driver, and his mother works in a garment factory. Prior to his accident, he enjoyed playing volleyball with his friends in the village. Two months ago, Tith fell on the road while trying to cross in front of a car, which resulted in paralysis of his arm. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is a network of nerves 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 lift his arm, feels pain at night, and cannot work or carry out his daily activities and hobbies. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. Tith 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 January 8th, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he will regain function in his left arm, reduce pain, and be able to return to work and support his family. His family can contribute $75, but needs help to raise $662 more to fund his procedure and care. Tith's mother said, “After the surgery, I hope that my son will be able to use his arm and hand again, so he can return to his job and feel confident for the future.”

$662raised
Fully funded