Matt's Story

Matt joined Watsi on February 10th, 2020. Six years ago, Matt joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Matt's most recent donation supported Emmah, a toddler from Haiti, to fund treatment leading up to, and following heart surgery.

Impact

Matt has funded healthcare for 81 patients in 13 countries.

Patients funded by Matt

Khan is a 37-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband and two sons in Phop Phra District, Tak Province, Thailand. She and her husband both work as agricultural day laborers. However, due to a recent accident, Khan is currently unable to work. As a result of the financial constraints caused by the loss of Khan's income, neither child can attend school, and the older child stays home to take care of his brother and the household chores. On July 1st, while walking in heavy rain to ask an employer for work, Khan slipped and fell. She used her left arm to push herself off the ground, and immediately felt severe pain. Because her arm wasn't swollen, and she desperately needed to keep working to support her family, Khan did not go to the hospital. Instead, she applied sesame oil as a traditional remedy. When her condition did not improve, Khan realized that she could no longer continue with things as they were. On July 21st, Khan borrowed money and went to a clinic, where an X-ray revealed a closed fracture in the left shaft of her radius. Khan’s arm is currently held in a bandage and remains slightly swollen. Her pain is managed by medication, but she experiences sharp pain if she tries to stretch or move it. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Khan will undergo surgery to reset her fractured bones, which should ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for August 10th at Mae Sot Hospital, and will cost $1,500. This procedure will help Khan to be able to use her left arm and to return to work. Khan is seeking your help to fund her procedure. Khan said, “Thank you for your support. If not for your organization and the donor, I would stay like this forever.”

$1,139raised
$361to go

Kidus is a cheerful, active, and sociable two-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He loves playing with other children, and enjoys toy cars. As the first child in his family, he brings immense joy to his parents. His mother is a homemaker, while his father works as an assistant to transport drivers. Their income is limited, and the family lives in a house owned by a relative. Kidus was born with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. His condition was discovered shortly after birth while he was still in the hospital. The doctors informed his parents that he should not undergo circumcision, because corrective surgery would be required in the future. They advised the family to seek further medical review at a higher-level hospital. The news was very difficult for Kidus's parents. His mother became deeply distressed, and often cried because she worried about her son's future. His father was also greatly affected by the situation. Determined to find help, they took Kidus to a public referral hospital, where doctors assessed his condition and informed the family that Kidus would likely require two surgical procedures. However, because he was still young, he was put on a surgical waiting list. The family patiently waited for two years before receiving a call from the hospital. They were referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM) for surgical treatment. Fortunately, Kidus is now scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on June 8th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of Kidus' procedure and care. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms, and he will be at risk of future complications. Kidus' mother expressed her gratitude, saying: "I pray that Kidus will recover well, and have a healthy future. Thank you very much for this opportunity and support. May God richly bless you, reward your kindness, and bless the work of your hands. We are truly grateful for all that you have done for our family."

$1,293raised
Fully funded

Alice is a 45-year-old business woman from Malawi. She is a single mother of three children. Her first child is a second‑year university student, the second is in Form One, and the youngest is in Primary Eight. Alice runs a small retail shop selling items such as school bags and suitcases. Since separating from her husband, her modest income must support all of the household expenses and school fees for her children. She strives every day to support her family through determination and hard work. For about two years, Alice has been experiencing uncomfortable symptoms like abdominal pain, dizziness, and fatigue. She has been diagnosed with uterine fibroids and surgery has been recommended to treat her condition. Alice believes that surgery will restore her health and enable her to continue supporting her children. She shares that her children are her motivation and she is determined to regain her strength for their well-being and future. Alice is able to contribute to her surgery, but needs additional funds for the treatment. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,363 to fund Alice's surgery. On April 9th, she will undergo a hysterectomy to remove her uterus. Once recovered, Alice will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Alice says, "This condition has been an extra burden to my life, as it hinders my concentration on the work that helps my family. I am not able to pay for my surgery as a single mother. Your contribution will go a long way into supporting my family."

$1,363raised
Fully funded