S
Saurabh bharadwajUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER

United States
Saurabh's Story

Saurabh joined Watsi on March 12th, 2013. Twelve years ago, Saurabh joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Saurabh's most recent donation traveled 8,800 miles to support Sopheak, a 14-year-old boy from Cambodia, to fund reconstructive surgery on his nose.

Impact

Saurabh has funded healthcare for 1233 patients in 22 countries.

Patients funded by Saurabh

Sopheak is a 14-year-old boy from Cambodia. He is a 10th-grade-student who enjoys math and has dreams of becoming a teacher one day. His parents earn a living selling lunch, while his older brother works as a motorcycle mechanic. In Sopheak's free time, he likes listening to music and watching movies. His favorite foods are fried eggs and caramelized pork. Sopheak was born with a cleft lip and underwent cleft lip repair surgery in 2012. However, he still has a notch along the border of his upper lip. As he has grown older, he has become increasingly concerned about the appearance of his nose and experiences difficulty breathing. These concerns have affected how he feels about his appearance, and he hopes further treatment will help him feel more comfortable and confident as he grows up. After his initial surgery, he was advised to return when he was older for further correction. He followed this advice, travelling two hours back to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), for another assessment. On October 26th, 2026, he is scheduled to undergo rhinoplasty using rib cartilage, alar reduction, and lip scar revision to improve the shape of his nose and address the remaining concerns with his lip. His family needs $360 in support to help him receive the treatment he needs. Sopheak's mother said, “I’m happy that my son has the chance to receive further treatment. He has been unhappy with the shape of his nose for a long time, and sometimes he also has difficulty breathing. I hope this surgery will help him breathe more comfortably and feel more confident about himself as he grows up.”

$20raised
$340to go

Baby Nardos is a cheerful and playful 8-month-old boy from Ethiopia. He enjoys playing with toys and spending time with other children. He lives with his parents and two older sisters. His father works as a carpenter, while his mother is a homemaker who dedicates her time to caring for the family. Baby Nardos was born with a condition called Hirschprung's disease. This is where a portion of the intestine does not have proper nerve function leaving a child with difficulty with bowel function. Doctors explained that he would need surgery but advised the family to wait until he was older and had grown enough to undergo the procedure. When Nardos was five months old, he was referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids at Myungsung Christian Medical Center (BKMCM), for specialized treatment. Although the family initially felt anxious and uncertain, they were relieved to learn that Nardos could receive the care he needed. Surgeons will remove the part of the intestine that is not working properly and reconnect the healthy intestine to restore proper bowel function. Baby Nardos is scheduled to undergo this surgery on October 25th with the help of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. The procedure and follow-up care will cost $1,500, and Baby Nardos needs your help. Baby Nardos’s father shares, “I am very happy that my son has this opportunity to receive the medical care he needs. Access to quality healthcare is very important, and I am grateful that my son has received this opportunity at BethanyKids. Thank you so much to BethanyKids and all the staff for welcoming us, supporting us, and giving our family hope. We sincerely appreciate the care and opportunity you have given our son. God bless you all.”

$1,025raised
$475to go

Maria Fernanda is a 10-year-old student from Colombia. She is known for being intelligent, charismatic, and very friendly. She is a sweet, kind-hearted girl full of dreams who enjoys spending time with others and leaves a special impression on everyone she meets. Her optimistic spirit and her ability to face challenges with courage are an inspiration to her family and to those who accompany her on her journey. Three years ago, Maria Fernanda was diagnosed with an umbilical hernia, a condition in which a small portion of abdominal tissue protrudes through the navel. Umbilical hernias usually cause mild tenderness or discomfort around the navel, which becomes more noticeable when the child cries, coughs, or exerts himself. Surgery has been recommended to correct the hernia and prevent possible future complications. On October 20th, Maria Fernanda will undergo hernia repair surgery, and our medical partner, Clinica Noel, is requesting $1,005 to fund Maria Fernanda's surgery. Once completed, this procedure should allow her to live more comfortably. Maria Fernanda's mother said, "I want to express my deepest gratitude to the people who are supporting her surgery. Thank you for extending your generous hand without even knowing her personally; that gesture is, without a doubt, one of the purest expressions of human kindness. May God abundantly bless your life and that of your family. Your support not only helps us meet a medical need but also restores our hope and peace of mind, knowing that María Fernanda will be able to receive the care she needs. We will always be grateful for this act of love and solidarity."

$1,005raised
Fully funded

65-year-old Masitala is has spent most of his life working the land in Dedza District in Malawi. A husband and father of seven children, six of whom now have families of their own, he has always relied on farming maize and soya beans to provide for his household. Eight months ago, the simple life he values began to change. Masitala started experiencing difficulty passing urine. As the condition worsened, he found himself making repeated visits to health facilities, where he received medication and catheterisation to manage the symptoms. While these measures brought temporary relief, they did not solve the underlying problem. Month after month, he continued living with discomfort, uncertainty, and the inconvenience of relying on a catheter. The condition made it harder for him to focus on farming and the daily responsibilities that help sustain his family. After several hospital visits, clinicians advised him to seek treatment at our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital, where he could access surgical care. Determined to find a lasting solution, Masitala made the journey despite having very little money. Unable to afford transportation, he walked for nearly three hours to reach the hospital. At Nkhoma Hospital, doctors diagnosed him with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and advised that he requires an open prostatectomy to restore normal urinary function and improve his quality of life. For Masitala, the diagnosis brought hope but also worry. The surgery he needs is beyond what he can afford. Like many small-scale farmers, his income depends on the harvest, and the resources available to him are barely enough to meet his family's basic needs. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $530 to fund the procedure for Masitala. The treatment is scheduled to take place at Nkhoma Hospital on June 3rd and, once completed, it will hopefully improve his quality of life. Masitala hopes that surgery will free him from months of discomfort and allow him to return to the fields, care for his family, and enjoy life without the burden of illness. He says, “I have endured this condition for many months because I had no other choice. I walked all the way to the hospital because I believed there would be help for me here. My wish is to get treated, and return to my family healthy and able to work again.”

$530raised
Fully funded

Constant is a two-year-old boy from Malawi. He is the last-born child in a family of four children, and his mother manages the home while his father runs a small electronics business to support the family. Constant has an right inguinal hernia, a condition that occurs when abdominal tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the lower abdominal muscles, causing a bulge in the groin area. The condition has brought periods of discomfort and worry to his young life. His mother has watched him grow while also keeping a close eye on the swelling, especially when it becomes more noticeable. At his age, Constant should be free to play, explore and enjoy being a child without his family having to worry about a condition that may require surgery. His parents have sought help because they want to see him treated and able to grow without the discomfort and uncertainty that have accompanied the hernia. After assessment at Nkhoma Hospital, Constant's mother was advised that he would need hernia repair surgery. When the family learnt about the cost of treatment, they were worried as they could not afford the full amount. His mother is hopeful that, with support, her little boy can receive the treatment he needs and be able to grow up healthy, active, and free from the burden of this condition. Fortunately, on August 11th, Constant will undergo hernia repair surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. His family is contributing towards his care, but still needs to raise $421 more for his treatment. Constant’s mother said, “As his mother, all I want is to see Constant grow up healthy and free from this problem. He is still so young, and I want him to be able to play, run and enjoy his childhood without us worrying about the swelling. I am hopeful that with the help of the donor program, he will receive the surgery he needs and have a better future.”

$421raised
Fully funded