Jay's Story

Jay joined Watsi on October 7th, 2015. Eight years ago, Jay joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Jay's most recent donation supported Flor, a three-year-old girl from Bolivia, to fund heart surgery.

Impact

Jay has funded healthcare for 106 patients in 14 countries.

Patients funded by Jay

Dennis is an 18-year-old boy from Kenya. He is being raised by his single mother, who is a casual laborer who relies on seasonal farm work and domestic jobs to provide for Dennis and his three siblings. From infancy, Dennis was a frail child who was frequently ill and required constant care. He experienced significant developmental delays, taking his first steps when he was nearly three years old. While his physical milestones came late, it was his lack of speech that concerned his mother the most. She longed to hear him speak, but Dennis remained unusually quiet. She would talk to him, and he would simply look back at her without responding. Instead of using words, he learned to communicate by lifting or pointing to objects whenever he needed something, a pattern that has continued throughout his life. When Dennis was three years old, he was brought to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, where fluid was drained from his ears. Unfortunately, this did not improve his condition. As he grew older, his mother enrolled him in school, but he consistently lagged behind his peers. Over the years, he adapted by relying on lip reading and sign language to communicate. Because of his hearing loss, he depends on watching his teachers' lips closely to follow lessons and understand what is being taught. Despite these challenges, Dennis performed well during his primary school years. However, the transition to secondary school has been much more difficult, as the academic demands have increased. On July 7th, Dennis will be fitted with hearing aids, and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is asking for help raising $1,171. The gift of hearing aids would significantly improve Dennis' ability to communicate, participate in class, and reach his full potential. His mother is appealing for support to make this life-changing intervention possible, giving Dennis the opportunity for a brighter and more independent future. "Sometimes when I read aloud in class or say certain words, the other children laugh at me. I want to hear better so I can read and speak with confidence," Dennis said quietly.

$1,171raised
Fully funded

John is a 52-year-old small-scale retailer from Kenya. He is a father of two and the family’s main breadwinner. Since his accident, his family has faced significant hardship. His wife has had to take on casual jobs to provide for the household, while also caring for him. John lost his father earlier this year, and on the way back from the burial, he was involved in a grisly road accident, narrowly escaping death. The incident occurred along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway near Naivasha, when the matatu he was traveling in collided head-on with a bus. John sustained multiple injuries to his head, hands, pelvis, and legs. He was rushed to a district hospital, where he received first aid treatment. However, due to the severity of his injuries and multiple fractures, he sought specialized care at our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital. Upon arrival, scans confirmed the extent of the fractures he sustained. Although he managed to enroll into the national health insurance scheme, it could not cover all the surgeries he requires. Since the accident, John has been confined to a wheelchair and requires assistance to move around. He continues to live in pain and is now reaching out for support so he can undergo an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedure, and continue his recovery journey. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On March 5th, John will undergo a fracture repair procedure to treat his fractures, and help him regain his mobility. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. John says, “I am in constant pain. I can’t walk, sleeping is difficult, and I rely on pain medication just to get through the day.”

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Aung is a 13-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his mother, two older siblings in Myawaddy, Karen State, Burma. Aung’s mother works as a laundry worker while his older sister works as a homemaker. Both Aung and his brother are students. Their family’s total income is not enough to cover their daily expenses and basic health care services. They can barely afford food and have to borrow money from a neighbor to meet their needs. In April 2025, Aung started experiencing trouble breathing due to a blockage in his left nostril, so he and his mother visited a clinic in Myawaddy on 27 April 2025. The doctor from the clinic diagnosed him with sinusitis and prescribed nasal drops and oral medications. Unfortunately, his symptoms did not improve. During their follow-up visit, the doctor explained that the growth in Aung's nostril requires surgery. Aung was referred to our medical partner's care center, Mae Sot General Hospital, where the doctors recommend surgery to remove the polyp 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 June 5th, and once completed, this procedure will hopefully alleviate his symptoms. Aung's mother said, "I cannot express how thankful I am. Because of you, my son’s health conditions will improve. I would be happy to help in any way I can, to show my appreciation.”

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Daw Khin is a 62-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her daughter, two granddaughters and two grandsons in the Mae Sot District, Tak Province in Thailand. Daw Khin is a homemaker, while her daughter is currently unemployed due a lack of legal identity in Thailand. Her four grandchildren attend a school run by a local charity. The family are members of a local Christian church, which provides them with monthly supplies of rice, oil, and dry food. For their basic health care, they usually visit the Mae Tao Clinic in Mae Sot which provides free services. In her free time, Khin enjoys reading the Bible and praying. On March 31st, while Daw Khin was riding a motorcycle with her daughter, she accidentally hit a dog, causing the motorcycle to skid. Daw Khin fell and sustained an injury in her right leg. Her daughter called an ambulance, and Daw Khin was taken to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH). She underwent blood tests, a leg X-ray which revealed that her lower end of the thighbone was fractured. The doctor recommended for a surgery which would cost 100,000 baht (approx. 3,333 USD). However, Daw Khin explained their financial constraints, and had a bandage applied to her right leg. They returned home, continuing treatment with oral medication. Currently, Daw Khin continues to experience pain, swelling, and limited movement in her right leg. She continues to take oral painkillers. Fortunately, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Daw Khin receive treatment. On May 2nd, she will undergo surgery to reset her fractured bones and ensure proper healing. Now, Daw Khin's family needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Daw Khin expressed her gratitude, saying, “Thank you so much to BCMF and the donors for assistance with my treatment costs. Without you, my surgery would not be possible. I could not hold my tears back because of the happiness I felt when I heard of the opportunity to support my surgery. May God bless you all.”

$1,500raised
Fully funded