Adrian RowlandUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER

United States
Adrian's Story

Adrian joined Watsi on March 26th, 2016. Six years ago, Adrian joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Adrian's most recent donation traveled 1,900 miles to support Christie, a preschooler from Haiti, to fund treatment leading up to, and following heart surgery.

Impact

Adrian has funded healthcare for 105 patients in 13 countries.

Patients funded by Adrian

Ilhaam is a seven-year-old girl from Tanzania. She lives with her parents and her younger sister, the only surviving children after her parents tragically lost their first set of twins shortly after birth. Ilhaam is a cheerful child who enjoys playing with other children in her neighborhood. She loves singing and dancing. Ilhaam’s father works as a primary school teacher and is the sole provider for the family. Although he works hard to support his household, the cost of surgery is beyond what he can afford. Her parents are hopeful that with support, their daughter will receive the treatment she needs to walk comfortably and return to enjoying childhood activities. Ilhaam has been diagnosed with unilateral left valgus, a condition where the left knee angles inward. Several factors could cause this condition, such as growth disorders, vitamin deficiencies, or excessive fluoride found in contaminated drinking water. As a result, the knees can be angled inwards or outwards, making it difficult to walk and may cause long-term joint damage. Over time, Ilhaam's condition has worsened, and she has begun experiencing pain while standing or walking for long periods. Her parents first sought help at a nearby health facility where they were told that her bones might be weak and she was given calcium supplements. Despite following the advice, her condition did not improve. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $631 to fund treatment for Ilhaam. The procedure is scheduled to take place on March 10th at our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. Treatment will hopefully restore Ilhaam's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Ilhaam's father says, "I only wish to see my daughter walk, dance and play without pain, and grow up like other children."

$631raised
Fully funded

Naw Paw is a 55-year-old woman from Burma. She has been living in the refugee camp in Tak Province, Thailand, with her husband, her son, her daughter, and her grandson for more than 20 years. Naw Paw is primarily a homemaker. Together with her son, she assists in growing and selling vegetables and produce from their garden. Her daughter is also a homemaker and cares for Naw Paw’s grandson, while her husband volunteers at the camp church. The family’s limited income from vegetable growing allows them to cover only basic daily living expenses. In her free time, Naw Paw enjoys playing with her grandson, tending to the garden and speaking with neighbours. Watching her plants grow brings her happiness. However, ongoing health issues and financial uncertainty have caused her significant stress. In June 2025, Naw Paw reported lower back pain and pain in her right lower abdomen. An ultrasound was performed, which revealed gallstones. Naw Paw has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, Naw Paw's symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Naw Paw is scheduled to undergo her cholecystectomy on January 12th. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Naw Paw's procedure and care. Naw Paw shared, “I am always worrying about where I can find more money, especially with my health problems. I feel very relieved and thankful to receive support from the donors during this time.”

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Amanuel is a cheerful nine-year-old boy from Ethiopia, who loves caring for animals. He also likes riding his bicycle and playing with other children, especially his younger sister. Amanuel lives with his parents and his youngest sister and is the third child in the family. His older brother and sister live with the family's relatives. Amanuel’s father works as a daily laborer in construction, while his mother is a home maker. Although his father tries to support the family, they sometimes struggle to meet medical expenses. To help with household needs, Amanuel’s mother occasionally bakes injera, a traditional bread, for sale. Amanuel’s mother was unaware of his condition until he was three years old. During a visit to a health center, the doctor noticed that Amanuel’s right testicle had not descended. He explained the condition to Amanuel’s mother, and advised waiting to see if the testicle would descend naturally. If it did not, a hospital referral would be necessary. At the time, Amanuel’s mother was overwhelmed, as she had just given birth to her youngest daughter, and felt anxious about the situation. As a result, she did not take him to the hospital. Over the next five years, she worried about her son’s condition, hoping for the right opportunity to seek help. Eventually, she returned to the health center, and after further consultations, they were referred to a larger hospital. After a six-month wait, Amanuel’s mother received a call from the referral hospital informing her that they needed to go to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM) for further evaluation. After a thorough assessment by the BKMCM staff, the hospital scheduled a surgical appointment for Amanuel, marking a hopeful step toward addressing his condition. Amanuel was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Amanuel has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Amanuel is receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. He is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on December 18th at BKMCM. Now, Amanuel's family needs help to raise $754 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Amanuel's mother said, "I hope that my child will be healthy, allowing me to sleep peacefully. I am deeply grateful to BKMCM and the generous donors for their incredible service in making this possible."

$754raised
Fully funded

Manich is a seven-year-old student from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. She is the youngest of three children, with her older brother in university and her older sister in 9th grade. Manich's father works in construction, and her mother runs a small grocery business in front of their home. Manich enjoys studying, and her favorite subject is Khmer history. During her free time, she enjoys playing outdoor games with her friends in the village and eating her favorite food - her mother's fried pork with rice. Manich was born with torticollis, a condition characterized by an involuntary contraction of the neck muscles, which causes her head to tilt or turn to one side. This condition can cause pain, stiffness, and an abnormal head position, making her neck appear rotated at an angle. Manich feels shy about her appearance, and her mother is concerned about potential health complications in the future. After hearing about Children's Surgical Center from a villager, her mother brought her to our medical partner's hospital, hoping to find treatment. Manich must undergo a tendon and nerve repair procedure to help regain strength and mobility. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Center, is helping Manich receive this tendon and nerve repair treatment on October 17th. The procedure costs $701, and Manich and her family need your support. Manich's mother said, "After the surgery, I hope that my daughter will have a normal neck like other children so that she can be confident, and I won't have to worry about future problems."

$701raised
Fully funded

Faruk is a three-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He enjoys watching cartoon movies, baking cakes and cookies with his mother, and playing with his youngest sister. His mother is a dedicated housewife, and his father earns a living as a street vendor. Faruk was born 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. His parents first noticed his condition 14 days after his birth. After visiting a private clinic, they were informed that surgery would be necessary. In search of proper treatment, Faruk’s mother visited various hospitals and clinics. Determined to find a solution, she even sought care at a private hospital, but their financial limitations made this option impossible. The stigma surrounding Faruk’s condition has also affected him socially. This deeply troubled his mother, especially when Faruk would ask why he could not do some things that other kids could. Fortunately, Faruk is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on December 11th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Faruk's mother expressed her heartfelt gratitude, saying, "Thank you for your willingness and support. Your encouragement helped me maintain hope during a challenging time when I was deeply worried about my son's condition. After the doctor explained the procedure, I gained renewed hope and trust that my child's surgery would be safe and successful, with God's guidance."

$1,293raised
Fully funded