Tobin's Story

Tobin joined Watsi on November 28th, 2016. Nine years ago, Tobin joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Tobin's most recent donation supported Tewodros, a two-year-old boy from Ethiopia, to fund corrective surgery.

Impact

Tobin has funded healthcare for 112 patients in 16 countries.

Patients funded by Tobin

Bisrat is a three-year-old charming and playful boy who lives in Ethiopia with his parents and grandmother. He is very attached to his father, and has a strong interest in anything technical. He also loves spending time with his cousins and playing football. He enjoys wearing sportswear and dreams of becoming a footballer one day. Bisrat's mother is a home maker, who has paused her business selling traditional food and drink due to health issues. His father was a taxi driver, but was laid off when the owner of the taxi decided to sell the vehicle. Due to these challenges, the family moved in with Bisrat's grandmother. Recently, Bisrat fell ill, and was having difficulty urinating. Concerned, his mother took him to a nearby hospital, where an ultrasound was performed. Bisrat was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Bisrat has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Doctors at the hospital explained that Bisrat would need surgery, which distressed Bisrat's mother because she knew her family would not be able to afford it. The family was then referred to our partner's medical care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM), and were also assisted with transportation costs. The family travelled four days to reach BKMCM, where they were warmly received. Bisrat's diagnosis was confirmed, and he has been scheduled for corrective surgery on April 20th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $754 to cover the total cost of Bisrat's procedure and care. Bisrat's mother shared, "The doctor clarified everything I asked. I am very happy and grateful for all the support. Thank you so much.” Bisrat’s father shared, "I'm so happy for your service. Thank you, BethanyKids, for providing my family this opportunity.”

$754raised
Fully funded

Faruk is a three-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He enjoys watching cartoon movies, baking cakes and cookies with his mother, and playing with his youngest sister. His mother is a dedicated housewife, and his father earns a living as a street vendor. Faruk was born 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. His parents first noticed his condition 14 days after his birth. After visiting a private clinic, they were informed that surgery would be necessary. In search of proper treatment, Faruk’s mother visited various hospitals and clinics. Determined to find a solution, she even sought care at a private hospital, but their financial limitations made this option impossible. The stigma surrounding Faruk’s condition has also affected him socially. This deeply troubled his mother, especially when Faruk would ask why he could not do some things that other kids could. Fortunately, Faruk is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on December 11th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Faruk's mother expressed her heartfelt gratitude, saying, "Thank you for your willingness and support. Your encouragement helped me maintain hope during a challenging time when I was deeply worried about my son's condition. After the doctor explained the procedure, I gained renewed hope and trust that my child's surgery would be safe and successful, with God's guidance."

$1,293raised
Fully funded