Karen's Story

Karen joined Watsi on September 25th, 2016. Ten years ago, Karen joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Karen's most recent donation supported Obsa, an 11-year-old boy from Ethiopia, to fund a tonsillectomy.

Impact

Karen has funded healthcare for 122 patients in 14 countries.

Patients funded by Karen

Bopha is a nine-year-old girl from Cambodia. She is a third-grade student and lives in Kampong Thom Province with her parents, who are rice farmers, and her four siblings. She is the fourth child in the family. Her oldest brother serves in the army, her second brother is a car repairman, and her younger siblings are students. She enjoys playing hide-and-seek with her friends, her favorite subject is mathematics, and she dreams of becoming a police officer. Bopha was born with weakness in her right arm after a difficult delivery, which damaged the nerves controlling her arm. She has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on her right side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network 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. She has difficulty lifting and moving her right arm, using her hand, holding and grasping objects, writing, dressing herself, and performing daily activities independently. Bopha 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 July 21st, she will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, she will be able to use her arm more easily for school, play, and daily activities, helping her become more independent. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $737 to fund this procedure. Bopha's mother said, “I hope this surgery will help my daughter use her arm better so she can enjoy school, play with her friends, and grow up with confidence.”

$737raised
Fully funded

Ei is a 12-year-old girl from Burma. She lives with her parents, younger brother, and younger sister in Mae Sot District, Tak Province, Thailand. Originally from Yangon Division, Burma, the family moved to Thailand in 2021 in search of better job opportunities. Ei's father works in a sewing factory, while her mother is a homemaker. Both Ei and her younger brother attend a migrant school, while her younger sister is too young to attend school. The family lives in the dormitory of her father's workplace. In her free time, Ei enjoys learning Thai and English and doing her schoolwork. Ei was diagnosed with traumatic cataract of her right eye. She is experiencing blurred vision in her right eye, and she can only see objects close to her. She also suffers from right eye pain, is sensitive to light, and has to wear sunglasses when outside. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Ei. On May 21st, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Ei's natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Ei's father expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you so much to this organisation and the donors for helping with my daughter's treatment costs. We feel immense happiness for your support, which relieves the hardship of our family. Without your help, we could not afford her surgery, and we almost decided to postpone her surgery. I hope you can continue to stand for patients who actually need support, like my daughter, for a very long time."

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Brian is a 22-year old sociable and ambitious young man from Kenya, who carries dreams bigger than his circumstances. He is the second of four children in his family, and currently enrolled in a course on Refrigeration and Air Conditioning in college. January was supposed to mark the beginning of his final academic journey, the last stretch toward the life he envisioned. However, on December 27th, 2025, everything changed. He was on his way home when the motorcycle he was on collided with a speeding vehicle. He jumped off the motorcycle, but the vehicle ran over his leg. He was rushed to AIC Kapsowar Hospital for emergency care, and underwent irrigation and debridement the same day, followed by a repeat procedure two days later. Once the wound was confirmed clean, he underwent fracture repair surgery, and was discharged two days later in stable condition. At his one-week follow-up clinic, the wound was healing well with no signs of infection. He was instructed to return the following week for suture removal and review. Unfortunately, because of the distance to the hospital, Brian sought care at a facility closer to home. His sutures were removed, and a plaster was applied, a measure that had not been advised by AIC Kapsowar Hospital. His wound was thereafter not closely monitored, and over time it broke down. Brian returned to AIC Kapsowar Hospital hospital on January 30th and was diagnosed with an infected implant and developing osteomyelitis. He underwent an urgent surgical washout, removal of the infected implant, and insertion of an antibiotic nail. He was admitted for intravenous antibiotics and intensive wound care. With time and treatment, signs of healing began to show. He was then taken back to the theatre for further wound cleaning, flap coverage, and skin grafting to promote closure. Although progress has been made, he still has a residual wound opening. After consultation between the orthopedic and plastic surgery teams, another perforator flap and skin graft procedure has been recommended. Brian’s mother has done everything she can to support her son. The family's social health insurance cover has reached the maximum limit. Brian's mother runs a small grocery shop, while his father is a driver. Their combined income is not consistent and cannot cover the cost of the upcoming surgery and continued treatment. Brian’s dream of completing his course and building a better future now relies on timely medical intervention. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Brian receive treatment. On February 24th, surgeons will perform a contracture release surgery to achieve full closure and prevent further complications. Now, Brian's family needs help to fund this $1,239 procedure. Brian says, "I was hoping to complete my studies this year if I had reported in January. It looks like I will be delayed because I am not feeling well now. Please help me, so that I can go back to school and complete my final year."

$1,239raised
Fully funded

Mark is a 12-year-old boy from Kenya. His health challenges began at birth. He was born with severe clubfoot, blindness in his right eye, and was unable to cry like other newborns. He was later diagnosed with brain damage, which affected his feeding and overall development. Mark has experienced significant developmental delays; he was able to walk at the age of five but has never developed speech. Despite these medical challenges, Mark’s mother has remained supportive, taking each day as it comes. In 2019, Mark was enrolled in a regular school. However, it was difficult for him to keep up with his class because of his hearing difficulties. It was recommended that Mark be fitted with hearing aids to help him with school and his interactions with others. Mark’s father works as a casual driver, and his mother is a domestic worker. Together, they work tirelessly to provide for their two children, aged 12 and 2, ensuring their basic needs are met. Unfortunately, their limited income prevents them from affording hearing aids. Yet, access to them would go a long way in supporting Mark’s speech development and greatly improving his quality of life. Mark’s parents are now reaching out for support, hoping he can receive hearing aids and have a chance at a better future. On January 14th, Mark will be fitted with hearing aids, and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,171 for Mark. Mark’s mother says, “I believe hearing aids would help Mark develop his speech and finally be able to communicate with those around him.”

$1,171raised
Fully funded