J
John NeibergerUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER

United States
John's Story

John joined Watsi on June 21st, 2014. Twelve years ago, John joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. John's most recent donation traveled 8,200 miles to support Hana, a one-year-old boy from Ethiopia, to fund corrective surgery for a birth condition.

Impact

John has funded healthcare for 106 patients in 14 countries.

Patients funded by John

Hana is a one-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He enjoys playing football and watching animated movies. His mother is a homemaker, while his father works as a daily labourer in construction. Hana was born with bladder exstrophy, a congenital anomaly that affects the bladder and surrounding structures, causing the bladder to form outside the body instead of inside the abdomen. The condition can lead to various challenges, including difficulties with urinary control, potential risks of infection, and a risk of infertility. Fortunately, Hana is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on October 12th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Hana’s mother shared, “My greatest wish is to see my child healthy, happy, and growing strong. I am deeply grateful to the organisation for providing my child with this life-changing support and the opportunity to receive the treatment he needed. May God bless everyone who made this possible, and bless you all for your kindness and support.”

$967raised
$533to go

U Sanda is a 32-year-old monk from Burma. He has been a monk for over 15 years, and lives with other monks at a monastery. He does not earn an income, and relies on food donated at the monastery by local people. When he becomes ill, his best friend helps cover the cost of his basic medical treatment. U Sanda was born with an atrial septal defect (ASD), a condition in which a hole exists between the two upper chambers of the heart. Sometimes ASDs may close on their own during development, but sometimes this condition requires surgery to repair the hole and prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. U Sanda is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on September 21st at Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital to correct his atrial septal defect, and improve his quality of life. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of U Sanda's procedure and care. U Sanda said, “All of the costs of my previous investigations were covered by my best friend. If BCMF and the donors do not help me, I would choose to suffer rather than continue receiving treatment, because I know the cost is very expensive.”

$994raised
$506to go

Hem is a 57-year-old rice farmer from Pailin Province in Cambodia. She is married and lives with her 64-year-old husband. They have four children. Her first and second children are rice farmers, her third child works for an organization, and her youngest child is a teacher. In her free time, she enjoys listening to monks praying and keeping up with the news. Hem has a herniated disc at the L4-L5 level of her lower spine, a condition in which a spinal disc presses on nearby nerves. She has experienced intermittent lower back pain for approximately three years, but about one month ago, the pain began radiating down the back of her left leg. She also experiences intermittent numbness in her left leg and weakness when extending her left toe. These symptoms have made walking and carrying out her daily activities as a farmer more difficult. Hem was referred to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), by a relative. She traveled approximately seven hours from Pailin to seek specialized care. After evaluation, doctors recommended surgery to relieve the pressure on the affected nerves. Hem is scheduled to undergo laminectomy and decompression of the L4-L5 spine on August 17th. She has contributed $100 towards her treatment but needs an additional $1,400 in support to cover the cost of surgery and related care. The surgery aims to relieve pressure on the nerves and help reduce her back and leg symptoms, allowing her to walk more comfortably and return to farming and her normal daily activities. Hem said, “I hope that this surgery will relieve my back and leg pain, improve the numbness and weakness in my left leg, and help me walk more comfortably again. I wish to return to farming, and continue my normal daily activities.”

$864raised
$536to go

Myat is a 24-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband and her daughter in a village in Mae Sot District, Tak Province, Thailand. Her family moved to Thailand early in 2026 for better job opportunities. During her free time, she likes to spend time playing with her daughter and helping with household chores. Myat is currently expecting her second child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section due to a high-risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Myat undergo a C-Section on July 20th at Mae Sot General Hospital. This procedure will cost $1,500, and Myat needs your support. Myat said, "Our family income is not always enough to cover our daily expenses, so we would not be able to pay for my C-section surgery without your support. You will help two lives, me and my baby. Thank you very much for your support towards my surgery cost."

$1,068raised
$432to go

Mann Ya is a 14-year-old girl who lives with her parents and siblings in Battambang Province in Cambodia. Her father works as an army officer at the Thai border, while her mother manages the household. Mann Ya is the youngest of three children, and is currently in Grade 8. In February this year, Mann Ya was involved in a motorcycle traffic accident that caused fractures on her left leg. She underwent initial surgical treatment in Battambang Province, which included internal fixation of the left femur, and external fixation of the left tibia. Despite this treatment, she developed a persistent infected wound on her affected leg, which has failed to heal properly, and which remains open. This condition has significantly affected Mann Ya's daily life. She has difficulty walking, and has been unable to attend school regularly, which has disrupted her education and normal childhood activities. Mann Ya was later referred to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, for further management. She is now scheduled to undergo free flap surgery on June 17th at Kien Khlang National Rehabilitation Centre, to close the open wound, and to improve soft tissue coverage. The procedure will also help control infection, protect underlying structures, reduce complications, and promote optimal healing and functional recovery of the left leg. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is seeking $859 to fund Mann Ya's procedure, which should enable her to return to the life that she knew, prior to the accident. Mann Ya's mother said: “As a mother, I worry every day when I see my daughter struggling to walk and unable to attend school like other children. I hope this treatment will finally help her heal, so she can return to her studies, regain her independence, and look forward to a brighter future.”

$566raised
$293to go

Gedeon is a 23-year-old college student from Haiti. He comes from a coastal city in southwest Haiti and is studying biology and science in the hope of one day becoming a cardiac echocardiographer. When Gedeon was younger, with help from the Watsi community, he underwent life-saving cardiac surgery in Texas to replace his damaged mitral valve. At the time, doctors knew his aortic valve was also damaged, but chose not to replace it due to the risk of the surgery. Now, Gedeon is ready to undergo a second surgery to replace his aortic valve. Gedeon has a cardiac condition called rheumatic aortic regurgitation. The valves of his heart were severely damaged by an infection he suffered in childhood, and now cannot adequately pump blood through his body. On May 21st, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will remove his damaged valve and implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, Baylor Scott and White Heart Hospital, is contributing $25,000 to pay for the surgery. Gedeon's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep and follow up. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to support travel, labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. Gedeon said, "I know God made a miracle for me to have my first surgery, and is making another miracle for me now!"

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Hikma is a charming 20-month-old girl who lives with her parents and older brother in Ethiopia. Her parents were small-scale farmers until they were displaced due to war in their area. Now, her mother is a dedicated home maker, and her father works as a daily laborer. As with many other displaced families, it has been difficult for them to afford their daily necessities. Hikma was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital condition that can lead to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. However, the symptoms were not obvious until she was around one year old. Her mother was deeply distressed by what she observed and immediately informed Hikma’s grandmother, who then began seeking for medical assistance. To avoid social stigma, however, the family tried to keep Hikma’s condition private. Eventually, the grandmother came across a Catholic missionary organization, which connected the family with a field coordinator of our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM). With the support of relatives and the Catholic missionaries, Hikma's family raised funds to travel to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival at the hospital, doctors explained that Hikma would need a series of surgeries to eliminate bowel dysfunction. The family was relieved and encouraged to hear that Hikma could be helped. Presently, Hikma has already undergone the first surgery, a colostomy creation, and recovered well. Now, Hikma needs support for her second surgery, which will occur on April 20th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Hikma's procedure and care. After her recovery, Hikma will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Hikma’s mother said, “I would like to thank you sincerely for your support and the services you provided. Thank you again. I truly hope my child will grow up to be a wonderful woman.”

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Zilpah is a mother to six children and lives in the Philippines. Zilpah creates handmade accessories and sells rosary bracelets, and her husband is a caretaker. Together, they provide for the family's daily needs and their children's school expenses. They have lived for about ten years in housing provided by her husband’s employer. She maintains an active and healthy lifestyle, walking two kilometers every day to take her children to school and back. Three months ago, Zilpah began to experience troubling symptoms, including loss of voice, persistent coughing, and throat pain. She was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. She needs surgery to remove the cancer and to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Zilpah receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy (removal of part or all of the thyroid gland) on March 20th at Our Lady of Peace Hospital. A portion of the cost of her treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $935 to cover the cost of Zilpah's procedure and care. Zilpah says "I look forward to regaining my strength so I can continue caring for my children and supporting my family. Being healthy again will allow me to keep working and sharing life with them."

$935raised
Fully funded

Amos, who is 32 years old and single, lives in Narok County in Kenya. He works as a small scale farmer. Amos had just finished watching a football match on February 4th, when an argument broke out among his friends. Trying to be the peacemaker, he stepped in to calm the situation, but was struck with a forceful blow to his face. Despite the pain, Amos hoped that it was something minor, and took pain relievers. Two days later, however, his jaw had become severely swollen, and the pain was unbearable. He sought help at a nearby hospital, where scans revealed that his jaw had been fractured in three places. He was immediately referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, for specialized care. Amos requires a mandible Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF) surgery to repair his jaw, and to prevent long-term complications. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 12th, Amos will undergo the fracture repair procedure at AIC Kijabe Hospital. This procedure will help relieve his pain and enable him to eat, speak, and get back to good health. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,115 to fund this procedure. Amos said: “I’ve been on a yoghurt and mashed food diet for a week now. It feels like my teeth are falling out. The pain is unbearable.”

$1,115raised
Fully funded

Clamson is a young student from Haiti. He lives with his parents and younger sister in a city in northern Haiti. He likes going to kindergarten and to church. Clamson has a cardiac condition called a ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart; blood leaks through this hole without passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. Clamson will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On January 22nd, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in his heart so that blood can no longer leak through it. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $5000.00 to pay for surgery. Clamson's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. They need help raising $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Clamson's family overseas. Clamson's mother shared, "Our family has been praying for this surgery ever since we found out about our son's heart problem. We are glad the time has finally arrived!"

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Ber is a 29-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband, two daughters, and older brother in a refugee camp in Thailand. She is a community health worker, while her two daughters go to school in the camp. In her free time, she loves watching movies and playing with her daughters. Ber is currently expecting her third child, and her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section due to macrosomia and pregnancy-induced hypertension. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Ber undergo a C-Section on December 10th at our medical partner's care center, Tha Song Yang Hospital. This procedure will cost $1500, and Ber needs your support. Ber said, "I am the sole earner for my family, and next month there will be no more job for me as the USAID cut affected my workplace and the project I am working on is no longer available by January 2026. I am a bit sad and do not know where to look for a job. I am thinking of making snacks and selling them in the camp."

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Divyana is a cheerful eight-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He loves playing football and spending time with his friends and younger brother. He lives in Sekota, and they travelled approximately 870 kilometers to seek treatment, a journey that took three days. His mother is a dedicated housewife, while his father works as an agricultural officer in a government institution. Together, his parents work hard to support their family and meet their children’s needs. Divyana's mother discovered his condition at birth and was immediately overwhelmed with frustration and panic. Questions raced through her mind, she says, “What is wrong with him? Is it my fault? How can I help my child?” Fear and stress consumed her, but her instinct to protect him never wavered. She began seeking information about his condition, choosing not to share too much with him to safeguard his emotional well-being. To prevent potential teasing or stigma, she instructed him to isolate himself whenever he went to the bathroom, warning him that other children might ridicule him if they saw him. She repeated this often, worried about how his condition might affect his social life and learning, especially since hypospadias is uncommon in their community. Divyana frequently compared himself to his younger brother and asked his mother why he was different. These moments left her feeling helpless, with no answers, only tears. One day, while visiting a relative in Addis Ababa who was undergoing orthopedic treatment, Divyana ’s mother heard about several successful cases being treated at the facility. Curious and hopeful, she began asking questions, but without revealing her son’s condition. Eventually, she received the contact information for the field patient coordinator at our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre. Doctors confirmed that Divyana 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. Fortunately, Divyana is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on November 20th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Divyana's mother said, "I wish my child were very healthy, and I am thrilled to get this opportunity."

$1,293raised
Fully funded