B
Brigitte WesselinkUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER

United States
Brigitte's Story

Brigitte joined Watsi on March 12th, 2013. Twelve years ago, Brigitte joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Brigitte's most recent donation traveled 8,300 miles to support Paw, a young woman from Burma, to fund a C-section to safely deliver her baby.

Impact

Brigitte has funded healthcare for 133 patients in 13 countries.

Patients funded by Brigitte

Kenawaka is a playful and cheerful 15-month-old boy from Ethiopia, who enjoys spending time with his older sister. He lives with his parents and sister in a rented home. His father works as an accountant to support the family, while his mother is a homemaker. Kenawaka's mother first noticed that something was different when she took Kenawaka to the hospital for circumcision. After examining him, the doctor told them that he would need specialized assessment and treatment, and referred them to a public referral hospital in the capital city. Following the referral, Kenawaka's parents waited another year due to a long surgical wait list. Though they were increasingly anxious, they could not afford care in a private facility so they continued hoping that they would be attended to soon. Recently, the referral hospital informed Kenawaka's parents to bring him to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM). Kenawaka was diagnosed 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, Kenawaka is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on September 25th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Kenawaka's father said, “Thank you so much to everyone at BethanyKids. We are truly grateful to all the staff for their kindness and care. Everyone has treated us with so much respect and made us feel comfortable throughout this journey. We are very happy and thankful for the support Kenawaka has received. We love our son so much, and our greatest wish is to see him healthy and happy after his surgery.”

$1,128raised
$164to go

Sudeyes is a 20-month-old boy from Ethiopia. He enjoys spending time with other children, especially playing football. He lives with his mother in the same home as his grandparents, who provide him with additional love and support. As a single mother, Sudeyes’s mother works as a teacher and is committed to providing the best possible care for her son. With the support of her parents, she raises her son in a loving home. Immediately after Sudeyes' birth, healthcare providers informed his mother that he was born with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, experience uncomfortable symptoms and would be at risk of future complications. The news was overwhelming to his mother, and she feared what it would mean for her son’s future. Before leaving the hospital, she was referred to a specialized facility for further evaluation. When Sudeyes was just two weeks old, his mother took him to the referral hospital, where he was placed on the surgical waiting list. Nearly a year later, he underwent the first stage of his reconstructive surgery. The procedure was successful, but he required a second operation to complete his treatment, and he was placed on a lengthy waiting list. Since the waiting list was lengthy, Sudeyes's mother took him to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM). During their visit, the medical team warmly welcomed them, carefully explained his condition, reviewed his previous treatment, and outlined the remaining surgical plan. Their compassionate communication and professional care reassured her, and she felt confident that her son was in capable hands. Fortunately, Sudeyes is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on August 20th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Sudeyes' mother shared, "I also encourage continued collaboration with government hospitals, where many children and families are waiting and suffering because they cannot access timely surgical care. This partnership gives hope to families like ours and changes children's lives."

$1,293raised
Fully funded

Emily is five-year-old student who lives with her family in Medellin, Colombia. Her joy and curiosity shine through every day at preschool, where she interacts with her classmates with enthusiasm and tenderness. Her energy is contagious, and her sweetness leaves a special impression on those around her. When she grows up, she dreams of becoming a firefighter or a veterinarian. Emily was born with an inguinal hernia, a condition in which a small portion of abdominal tissue protrudes through the abdominal wall near the groin. This condition causes discomfort and tenderness, especially when coughing or exercising. Because she has to be cautious with her movements, Emily has begun to feel insecure, particularly during physical education classes and when playing at the park. Without surgery, Emily will continue to experience symptoms, will have difficulty fully enjoying her childhood, and will be at risk of future complications. Fortunately, on April 27th, Emily will undergo repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Clinica Noel, is requesting $1,005 to fund the surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Emily's mother shared, "I want to express my deepest gratitude to the people that will support her surgery. Thank you for extending your generous hand without even knowing her personally. This gesture is, without a doubt, one of the purest expressions of human kindness. May God bless you abundantly, may He multiply your generosity with blessings in your life, and may He continue to guide every endeavor you undertake. Your support not only covers a medical need but also fills our hearts with hope and peace. Thank you for giving us hope that Emily can once again live out her childhood with freedom and confidence."

$1,005raised
Fully funded

Eh is a 14-year-old girl from Burma who lives in an internally displaced persons camp in Karenni State with her sister’s family. She attends school there, where her sister works as a teacher, and her family relies on her brother-in-law’s work to meet their basic needs. Eh’s health challenges began in October 2025, when she developed persistent skin irritation and loss of appetite. At a local clinic, a physician identified signs of jaundice, including yellowing of her skin and eyes, and referred her for further care. Eh’s brother-in-law took her to a hospital at the end of January 2026, where she was diagnosed with a large cyst in her liver. Her doctor explained that the cyst is putting pressure on her liver and causing her symptoms, and that surgery is needed to remove it. Today, Eh continues to experience jaundice, skin irritation, and occasional headaches and stomach pain. Eh sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. She is now scheduled to undergo surgery on March 24th to remove the cyst. Eh's family is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. This procedure will relieve the pressure on Eh's liver and help resolve her symptoms, allowing her to return to her daily life. Eh's brother-in-law says, “I consider Eh as my own daughter, as she has been living with me for six years, and I feel bad for her that she has to suffer from this disease. I also worry for my wife and my son, who are living in the camp while I accompany her [Eh] for her treatment. Thank you to all the organizations that support us with her treatment.”

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Brian is a 22-year old sociable and ambitious young man from Kenya, who carries dreams bigger than his circumstances. He is the second of four children in his family, and currently enrolled in a course on Refrigeration and Air Conditioning in college. January was supposed to mark the beginning of his final academic journey, the last stretch toward the life he envisioned. However, on December 27th, 2025, everything changed. He was on his way home when the motorcycle he was on collided with a speeding vehicle. He jumped off the motorcycle, but the vehicle ran over his leg. He was rushed to AIC Kapsowar Hospital for emergency care, and underwent irrigation and debridement the same day, followed by a repeat procedure two days later. Once the wound was confirmed clean, he underwent fracture repair surgery, and was discharged two days later in stable condition. At his one-week follow-up clinic, the wound was healing well with no signs of infection. He was instructed to return the following week for suture removal and review. Unfortunately, because of the distance to the hospital, Brian sought care at a facility closer to home. His sutures were removed, and a plaster was applied, a measure that had not been advised by AIC Kapsowar Hospital. His wound was thereafter not closely monitored, and over time it broke down. Brian returned to AIC Kapsowar Hospital hospital on January 30th and was diagnosed with an infected implant and developing osteomyelitis. He underwent an urgent surgical washout, removal of the infected implant, and insertion of an antibiotic nail. He was admitted for intravenous antibiotics and intensive wound care. With time and treatment, signs of healing began to show. He was then taken back to the theatre for further wound cleaning, flap coverage, and skin grafting to promote closure. Although progress has been made, he still has a residual wound opening. After consultation between the orthopedic and plastic surgery teams, another perforator flap and skin graft procedure has been recommended. Brian’s mother has done everything she can to support her son. The family's social health insurance cover has reached the maximum limit. Brian's mother runs a small grocery shop, while his father is a driver. Their combined income is not consistent and cannot cover the cost of the upcoming surgery and continued treatment. Brian’s dream of completing his course and building a better future now relies on timely medical intervention. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Brian receive treatment. On February 24th, surgeons will perform a contracture release surgery to achieve full closure and prevent further complications. Now, Brian's family needs help to fund this $1,239 procedure. Brian says, "I was hoping to complete my studies this year if I had reported in January. It looks like I will be delayed because I am not feeling well now. Please help me, so that I can go back to school and complete my final year."

$1,239raised
Fully funded

Mark is a 12-year-old boy from Kenya. His health challenges began at birth. He was born with severe clubfoot, blindness in his right eye, and was unable to cry like other newborns. He was later diagnosed with brain damage, which affected his feeding and overall development. Mark has experienced significant developmental delays; he was able to walk at the age of five but has never developed speech. Despite these medical challenges, Mark’s mother has remained supportive, taking each day as it comes. In 2019, Mark was enrolled in a regular school. However, it was difficult for him to keep up with his class because of his hearing difficulties. It was recommended that Mark be fitted with hearing aids to help him with school and his interactions with others. Mark’s father works as a casual driver, and his mother is a domestic worker. Together, they work tirelessly to provide for their two children, aged 12 and 2, ensuring their basic needs are met. Unfortunately, their limited income prevents them from affording hearing aids. Yet, access to them would go a long way in supporting Mark’s speech development and greatly improving his quality of life. Mark’s parents are now reaching out for support, hoping he can receive hearing aids and have a chance at a better future. On January 14th, Mark will be fitted with hearing aids, and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,171 for Mark. Mark’s mother says, “I believe hearing aids would help Mark develop his speech and finally be able to communicate with those around him.”

$1,171raised
Fully funded

K is a 53-year-old man from Burma. Currently, he lives with his wife in Mae Ramat District, Tak Province, Thailand. Originally from Karen State, Burma, K and his family moved to Thailand in 2023 in search of better job opportunities. Currently, K works as a general day laborer while his wife is a homemaker. In December 2024, K began experiencing a discharge from his right nostril, along with sneezing and difficulty breathing. Due to financial constraints, he did not visit a clinic. Instead, he took traditional medicines on his own, but his symptoms persisted. In July 2025, K visited a hospital, where he was diagnosed with a right nasal polyp. He was referred to our medical partner's care center, Mae Sot Hospital, where he was advised he needed surgery. K continues to experience discharge, nasal blockage, and difficulty breathing. These ongoing symptoms have left him feeling depressed and worried about his health. Doctors want to perform a sinus endoscopic surgery to remove any blockages in the sinuses and improve airflow through the nose. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 for this procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place on September 17th. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully alleviate his symptoms. K expressed his gratitude, saying, “Thank you so much to BCMF and the donors for assisting with my treatment costs. Without you, my surgery would not be possible. I hope you can continue to support patients like me in the future.”

$1,500raised
Fully funded