Monica Zaczynski
Monica's Story

Monica joined Watsi on July 14th, 2015. 14 other people also joined Watsi on that day! Monica's most recent donation supported Florence, a mother of five from Kenya, for a total abdominal hysterectomy.

Teams

Podium

1 member

Canada

25 members

Impact

Monica has funded healthcare for 3 patients in 3 countries.

Patients funded by Monica

Meet Florence, a 46-year-old wife and mother of five children from Kenya. Florence lives with her husband and children in a rural Kenyan village. While Florence takes care of the children at home, “her husband and first born son work in a butchery,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). According to AMHF, over the past year and a half Florence has experienced “lower abdominal pain, discomfort and difficulty in passing urine.” Florence and her husband visited several hospitals hoping for successful treatment, but her condition was never properly diagnosed. After each hospital visit, Florence would be prescribed medicine only to have her symptoms reappear shortly thereafter. Eventually, “a CT scan revealed that Florence has adenomyosis” — a typically benign condition that is diagnosed mainly among middle-aged women. The condition occurs when the innermost part of the uterus, the endometrium, extends into the muscular wall of the uterus. Despite having moved into the muscular wall, the endometrial tissue continues to act as it did before being displaced, which usually results in an enlarged uterus and abdominal discomfort, as is the case with Florence. To treat her adenomyosis, $790 will cover all of the necessary costs for Florence to receive a total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH). This operation will remove her uterus and cervix, ensuring that the problem will not return in the future. The total cost of treatment also includes five days of hospital care and the necessary laboratory tests for a successful surgery. “We expect that a TAH for Florence shall alleviate her of the chronic pain she currently experiences," adds AMHF. Relieved by the prospect of receiving treatment, Florence shares, “This problem has made my life very difficult. I hope the operation will be successful so that I can continue serving my family.”

$790raised
Fully funded

Walfred is a baby boy who lives with his family in Guatemala. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), tells us, “When we visited Walfred at his house, he was suffering from chronic diarrhea and a cough. His mother knew he was not growing well and was extremely happy when we arrived because her neighbor had mentioned that we could be of help.” “When we weighed and measured Walfred, it became apparent that he is suffering from acute malnutrition," WK reports. "Walfred’s mom was embarrassed to tell us that she has been feeding him diluted powdered cow’s milk and sugar water. She told us that she didn’t know what else do when she realized she was unable to produce breast milk, and they didn’t have enough money to afford formula.” Walfred’s family does not have easy access to clean water, so not only is Walfred not receiving sufficient nutrients and antibodies, but he also has a parasitic infection. WK elaborates, “Walfred is the youngest of 10 children. His father is a sharecropper and does not own land. He has been worried about providing for his family for a long time, and is extremely happy to start working with us. Walfred’s siblings love him, and like to carry him on their backs while they do other chores around the house. The family is well known and respected in the community.” With $1,220 in funding, WK will provide nutrition education, formula supplementation, and deworming medication for Walfred and his mother. WK reports, “Treating lactation failure is easy and effective. Formula supplementation promotes normal physical and mental development and gives the child the chance to reach their full growth potential. Nutrition education provides the mother with the skills she needs to ensure her child’s healthy growth and development.” Walfred’s mother shares, “I am so thankful that you sought me out.” Let’s help Walfred regain his health and reach his developmental milestones!

$1,220raised
Fully funded