Jared Hanstra
Jared's Story

Jared joined Watsi on April 23rd, 2015. 27 other people also joined Watsi on that day! Jared's most recent donation traveled 8,500 miles to support Regina, a farmer from Kenya, to treat a brain tumor.

Impact

Jared has funded healthcare for 11 patients in 7 countries.

Patients funded by Jared

Mayda, a 10-year-old girl from Guatemala, is the fourth of seven children. "Mayda's father works as a farm hand, harvesting coffee on their neighbor's plantation," our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), tells us. “Mayda’s mother cooks, cleans, takes care of the children, and helps harvest coffee.” Two years ago, Mayda underwent successful surgery for a heart murmur, which was funded by Watsi. Recently, she was also diagnosed with epilepsy. Mayda was doing well until last December. "She came home one day from school with a note from the school nurse saying that she had a seizure that lasted several minutes,” WK explains. “She had lost consciousness and did not remember anything. Since then she has had two more seizures at home." Because of these seizures and the resulting symptoms, Mayda has been unable to attend school. With $967, Mayda can receive the medical care and anticonvulsant medications that she requires for a healthier life. She will receive a brain MRI and other diagnostic workup for preliminary testing. She will also receive anti-epileptic medication to control her spastic episodes and to improve her mobility and independence. With treatment, “Mayda will gain control of her body,” WK continues. “This will increase her quality of life and put her on track to receive the education she deserves and live a healthy and productive life.” "We want her to grow well and be healthy,” Mayda’s parents share. “She has already been through so much with her surgery and now her seizures. We just want her to get better."

$967raised
Fully funded

“Zaw is a playful 19-month-old baby who suffers from a neurological condition called encephalocele,” our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), tells us. Zaw lives with his parents, sister, and grandmother in Burma. An encephalocele is a sac of brain tissue that protrudes through a structural gap in the front or back of the skull. They are very rare, occurring in one in 5,000 births. Protrusions in the front of the skull—as is the case with little Zaw—are more common in Southeast Asia than those at the back and may cause difficulty seeing, breathing, or eating. Infection of the encephalocele due to injury or rupture is a major concern and can be life-threatening. BBP continues, “Since Zaw was born, the mass has now grown. It covers the bridge of his nose, the top of his left cheek, and his left eye. If something accidently touches the mass on his face, then he cries loudly, but otherwise he is a playful, happy little boy.” Zaw’s father works as a day laborer in construction, and his mother stays at home to take care of Zaw and his sister. They have been very worried about their son’s condition. $1,500 will fund surgery to remove Zaw's encephalocele, repair the hole in his skull with a bone graft, and reconstruct his face. Funding also covers eight days of hospital care, transportation to and from the hospital, and three post-operative follow-up appointments. BBP says, “Encephalocele repair will improve Zaw's future. He will no longer have disfiguration and will also be able to see and breathe better.” Let’s help fund surgery for Zaw!

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Rahurensia, a 53-year-old single mother of four lives in Uganda end enjoys working in the garden and eating good food. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us that Rahurensia has been married twice but has lost both of her husbands. She has three children in primary school, and her eldest son works as a brick maker to help support their family. Rahurensia has an inguinal hernia, a condition where tissue swells and bulges through part of the abdominal muscles. AMHF tells us that Rahurensia had this hernia which causes abdominal pain, constipation, and vomiting for the past eight years. "Two years ago, the abdominal pain increased forcing Rahurensia to seek medical attention even if she didn’t have enough money. At the clinic, Rahurensia was told she has a hernia that needed surgery," AMHF shares. "As she could not afford to pay for surgery, Rahurensia kept buying pain killers whenever she would get some money- to temporarily relieve the pain." If left untreated, Rahurensia's hernia will likely obstruct her intestines. $220 will pay for Rahurensia's operation to repair her hernia. "Rahurensia hopes to get well after surgery and continue working in her garden to support her family," AMHF tells us. This procedure will get rid of her abdominal pain and any risk of intestinal obstruction, and she will be able to return to her garden work. "I will always pray for everyone who wants to help me," Rahurensia says with a smile on her face.

$220raised
Fully funded

Meet Eduardo, an adorable one-year-old boy from Guatemala who is dealing with the effects of malnutrition. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), introduces Eduardo: “Eduardo is the youngest of three children. His parents are separated, and his older brother left with his father while his mother kept him and his little brother. Eduardo and his little brother are attached at the hip and often play ball together or go with their mother into the mountains to help her collect wood to sell or burn to cook tortillas.” Because of the lack of access to and general availability of food, Eduardo’s weight and height are far below where they should be for a one-year-old. However, the effects of malnutrition extend far beyond stunted growth. WK reports, “Acute malnutrition can lead to extreme dehydration, a destroyed immune system, and death. The long-term effects can be devastating as well: decreased ability to learn and succeed in school, a weakened immune system, increased the risk of chronic disease, and eventual decreased economic productivity.” Many of these symptoms can cause a destructive domino effect, as well. For example, malnutrition’s capacity to weaken the immune system may allow a patient to become more susceptible to other illnesses. Furthermore, if malnutrition is tied to decreased economic productivity (perhaps because a patient is too sick from their weakened immune system), then this may increase the risk of raising children who are malnourished as well. For $535, however, Eduardo’s body will return to a healthier state and he and his family will be educated to prevent the perpetuation of malnutrition. WK explains, “This treatment will give Eduardo the micronutrient and food supplementation he needs to recoup the height and weight he lost over his first year of life. His mom will participate in education courses that will not only affect his growth but the growth of his brother. We anticipate over time Eduardo’s immune system will improve and we will see great positive changes in his overall health and energy.” With this treatment, not only will Eduardo be able to live a much happier and healthier life, but the future well being of his entire family will also be ensured. “Eduardo's mother has been through a lot...she wants a good future for her child,” shares WK.

$535raised
Fully funded

Vailet is a 42-year-old woman from Malawi who currently lives with cervical cancer. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine (WAM), runs a screening program for women in Malawi, and met Vailet when she came in for a routine visit. “The aim of the cervical cancer screening program is to find ladies like these in the early stages of the disease when they can receive surgery," shares WAM. "They can be prevented from developing disseminating cancer later on." Vailet’s case, however, is already developed and spreading. “There is no radiotherapy available in Malawi and chemotherapy is not recommended and not available either in Malawi," WAM adds. "The best option to manage her is therefore surgical intervention." Valiet is “very eager to have the surgery done, having traveled 80 miles to get the surgery done, but sees the financial aspect as a big hurdle to overcome.” Vailet is married with eight children and her family lives off a small piece of land that Vailet “cultivates herself by hand with a hoe with no tractor or any other equipment to assist,” WAM continues. Vailet needs a total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) for $613. A TAH is the removal of the uterus and cervix, which WAM hopes will fully heal Vailet of her cervical cancer. If left untreated, Vailet's cancer will continue to spread, causing pain and other unpleasant symptoms. With a successful surgery, WAM expects that Vailet will be fully cured. She is an extremely hardworking woman, and she will be able to continue supporting herself and her family.

$613raised
Fully funded