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Jessica MartinUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER

Jessica's Story

Jessica joined Watsi on November 27th, 2014. Ten years ago, Jessica joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Jessica's most recent donation supported Faith, a 12-year-old girl from Kenya, to fund corrective surgery.

Impact

Jessica has funded healthcare for 100 patients in 13 countries.

Patients funded by Jessica

Ephantus is a 28-year-old security guard from Kenya. He is the sole breadwinner for his wife and their five-year-old child. His modest salary is not enough to cover the cost of a critical surgery. Raised by a single mother who is a farmer, and with an elder sister who works as a street vendor, Ephantus' family is unable to contribute the funds needed for his medical care. In May 2024, shortly after starting his job, Ephantus was involved in a workplace incident while directing cars in a hotel parking lot. When he asked a visitor to reposition a poorly parked car, the driver became enraged, deliberately drove into Ephantus, and ran over his right leg after he fell. The incident resulted in a severe ankle fracture, with bones exposed. Ephantus was rushed to a hospital, where he received immediate care and underwent surgery to have an internal fixation device inserted into his leg. Unfortunately, two days after his discharge, Ephantus’ leg began to swell and showed signs of infection. Ephantus underwent another surgery to remove the internal fixation device and began receiving regular treatment for his wound. Despite this, his leg has continued to suffer from recurring infections, and doctors have now recommended a skin graft surgery to aid in his recovery. Ephantus remains in pain, unable to walk properly or work to support his family. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. On September 16th, Ephantus will undergo a debridement and skin graft procedure to relieve his pain, restore his mobility, and allow him to return to work. He needs help to fund this $1,185 surgery. Ephantus shared, “I am in so much pain and stressed because I’m away from my family, and no one is providing for them.”

$1,185raised
Fully funded

Lydiah is an 18-year-old from Kenya. In February 2022, Lydiah's schooling and aspirations for becoming a doctor had to be put on hold when she began to experience excruciating pain in her right leg and hip. The pain progressed to the point where she could no longer bear weight on her leg, forcing her to leave school. When she was unable to find help in her province, Lydiah moved to live with her aunt in Nairobi. Despite visits to various dispensaries, and attempts to secure medical care, including painkillers, Lydiah's condition did not improve. She and her aunt tried visiting hospitals, but could not afford to pay for the necessary scans. In November 2023, Lydiah developed a swelling on her hip joint. Financial limitations prevented her from accessing care, leaving her in persistent agony. In June 2024, when her condition deteriorated further, Lydia was referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital. Lydiah was diagnosed with osteomyelitis of the right thigh bone and was recommended to undergo sequestrectomy surgery. Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone. The recommended surgery will remove the bone that has died, as a result of the infection. Again, finances have been a challenge, and Lydiah has remained in pain. Currently, Lydiah suffers from a painful, swollen thigh with a draining sinus, intensified by the cold season. Compounding her challenges, Lydiah is the only child of her mother who has been grappling with mental health issues since her husband's passing in 2015. Her aunt is her only hope since she is the one who has been taking care of her since she fell ill. Lydiah’s aunt is a casual beauty laborer, who weaves hair extensions for women, and whose income is precarious. Lydiah’s aunt is also a single mother to three children. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is asking for help to fund the $1,400 needed for Lydiah's surgery, scheduled for July 16th. They hope this intervention will not only alleviate her suffering, but also pave the way for her to pursue her dreams. Lydiah said: “I know that I am advanced in years, but I am willing to continue from Form 2, where I left off, and proceed to pursue my career as a doctor.”

$1,400raised
Fully funded

Kalar is a 53-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her mother and daughter in Htantabin Township, Yangon Division village. Kalar used to sell vegetables, but she stopped in October because her condition was worsening. Kalar's mother is a homemaker. Kalar's daughter left school three years ago because she couldn't afford the school fees. Currently, she is working in a restaurant. Their monthly income is not enough for their daily expenses, and they have to borrow money from their friends to make ends meet and pay for basic medical costs. In 2017, Kalar's upper abdomen was in pain, and she went to a hospital in the village. There, she received an ultrasound, and the doctor told her that she had a small stone in her gall bladder and she would need medication to reduce the stone. She felt much better after taking the medication, and she didn't go to any clinic or hospital after that. In October 2023, Kalar's symptoms returned, and she visited the hospital in the town where she received the ultrasound. At the hospital, the doctor confirmed that Kalar had a large gallstone and would require surgery to heal. She could not afford to pay for the surgery, so she received medication and returned home. Her condition gradually got worse. Kalar has not been eating or sleeping well and is in pain. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Kalar will be able to undergo gallbladder removal surgery on November 18th. BCMF requests $1,487 to cover Kalar's procedure and care costs. Kalar said, "I was upset because I couldn't work and support my mother and daughter. Now, I am so happy! I want to say thank you to all of the donors for supporting my surgery."

$1,487raised
Fully funded