J
Ja Rivas

Ja's Story

Ja joined Watsi on December 27th, 2013. 17 other people also joined Watsi on that day! Ja's most recent donation supported Nith, a 17-year-old teenage girl from Cambodia, to fund mass removal surgery.

Impact

Ja has funded healthcare for 25 patients in 10 countries.

Patients funded by Ja

Queentah is 21 years old and the oldest among three siblings. Her mother is a door-to-door hairdresser and her father is a farmer. Queentah cannot speak a full sentence, relying mainly on sign language to communicate. When she was just four years old, her mother noticed that Queentah could not speak. They could not afford the necessary tests, so they were not able to seek medical advice. As Queentah grew older, the barriers only grew more prominent. Her school years were filled with rejection, as teachers deemed her “slow” for struggling to understand and keep up with the lessons. She was moved from one school to another, but no place seemed to offer her the support she desperately needed. Finally, after years of searching, Queentah was enrolled in a special school for the deaf, where she was introduced to sign language. Despite the setbacks, Queentah had a passion for becoming a chef. However, her hearing challenges continued to hold her back. Struggling academically, she could not secure the scholarship or funding she needed to pursue her dreams of culinary school, as her mother’s limited means could not provide for her education. In 2024, Queentah joined the National Youth Service and was assigned to work as a security officer. As she went through the training program, the limitations of her hearing became more pronounced. She could not complete the required training. In February 2025, Queentah was brought to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, where she was diagnosed with profound hearing loss. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. Queentah is scheduled to receive hearing aids on March 14th. She needs help raising the $1,171 in funds. Queentah's mother humbly requests support, hoping that with the hearing aids, Queentah’s life can change so she can hear, learn, grow, and ultimately build the future she has always dreamed of. Queentah's mother says, "It has been incredibly difficult for my daughter to have a social life. She often feels isolated and left out, as it's hard for her to find people who understand sign language."

$1,171raised
Fully funded

Molly is a 48-year-old woman from Malawi. She and her husband have two sons, aged 19 and 20 years old. Her husband works at the city council as a clerk, and Molly works as a farmer. Her favorite ways to spend her time are talking with her family and praying. For four years, Molly has been experiencing lower abdominal pains, dizziness, heart palpitations, weakness, and other worrisome symptoms. She visited a local hospital and was given medication, but unfortunately, her condition did not improve. This past year, her symptoms have intensified so that she is unable to work on her farm. Molly has been in and out of hospitals as a result and was able to undergo screening tests, leading doctors to diagnose her with uterine fibroids. Recently, she was referred to our medical partner's care center for urgent attention, and the doctors determined she needs to undergo surgery. If left untreated, uterine fibroids grow in size and number, worsening a person's symptoms. Molly will also be at risk for developing anemia, which may be fatal. Fortunately, our medical partner can help Molly receive treatment. On February 14th, she will undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Once recovered, Molly can resume her daily activities free of pain. Molly contributed a co-pay toward her care and is requesting assistance to raise $1,363 to fund her surgery. Molly said, "I am ready to live without a womb, and I can't wait to be myself again. This condition is very painful and weakening, and I am looking forward to your support that will save my life."

$1,363raised
Fully funded

Hapyness is a charming 9-month-old girl, born to hardworking farmers in the remote village of Igot, in the Ulanga district of Tanzania. Her family's daily life revolves around the cultivation of maize and millet, which not only sustains their meals, but also provides a modest income for the family’s necessities. Unfortunately, her father, who is advancing in age, cannot work extended hours, so her mother toils diligently on the farm, to ensure they yield bountiful harvests. Hapyness was born with a clubfoot, a condition in which the foot is abnormally twisted, making it difficult for her to crawl and eventuall to walk. At the time of her birth, the nurse in attendance recommended immediate medical attention. However, locating such specialized care in their isolated village proved to be impossible. After months of searching, Hapyness' father crossed paths with a young boy who had had a clubfoot which had been successfully treated, and he was able to provide Hapyness' father with the information he had been seeking. As a result of this meeting, Hapyness' parents brought her to the Plaster House, where her treatment will begin on October 6th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $935 to fund Hapyness' clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to crawl and to walk comfortably as she grows. Hapyness’s mother says: “I am glad there is a chance for my daughter to get treatment. I hope she doesn't have to live with this disability for the rest of her life.”

$935raised
Fully funded