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SamuelUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER

Samuel's Story

Samuel joined Watsi on February 17th, 2026. Nine months ago, Samuel joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Samuel's most recent donation supported Rosalinda, a student from Haiti, to fund treatment leading up to, and following heart surgery.

Impact

Samuel has funded healthcare for 9 patients in 7 countries.

Patients funded by Samuel

Rosalinda is a 14-year-old student from Haiti. She lives with her parents and three siblings in a suburb of Port-au-Prince; she is in the eighth grade and likes her math and science classes. Rosalinda has a cardiac condition called severe mitral insufficiency. One of the four valves of her heart was severely damaged by a fever she suffered earlier in childhood, and as a result, it cannot pump blood properly through her body. This leads to heart failure and leaves her weak and short of breath. Rosalinda needs to fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On October 19th, she will undergo heart surgery, during which surgeons will repair the damaged valve so that it opens and closes more normally. Another organization, Haitian Hearts Foundation, is contributing $10,000 to pay for surgery. Rosalinda's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Rosalinda's family overseas. Rosalinda says, "I am excited to have this surgery so I can feel better and have more energy."

$961raised
$539to go

Maurine is a 36-year-old widowed mother of two children. In 2022, she experienced a sudden and unexpected change that would alter her life. Without warning, she lost the ability to hear. At first, Maurine struggled to understand what was happening. Simple conversations became difficult, and communicating with her children was no longer easy. She could not hear when they spoke to her, and responding to their needs became increasingly challenging. In December 2022, she went to AIC Kijabe Hospital for a medical review. After assessment, the doctors recommended hearing aids to help her regain the ability to hear and communicate. A well-wisher paid for one hearing aid, which made communication easier, including with her children. Sadly, in 2025, the hearing aid stopped working. Gradually, Maurine began withdrawing from those close to her. She works as a house help, but her hearing loss also began to affect her ability to earn a living. In January this year, she returned to the hospital, where she was advised to obtain new hearing aids, but the cost was far beyond what she could afford. Still hoping for a solution, she returned to hospital in August, hoping she would find help. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping her find treatment. On Sept 9th, Maurine will be fitted with hearing aids. For Maurine, this would mean much more than the ability to hear sounds again. It would mean being able to communicate with her children. It would mean understanding her employer, and it would mean reconnecting with family and friends, regaining her confidence, and no longer living in isolation. Now, Maurine needs help to fund this $1,171 procedure. She says: “I wish to hear again, so I can communicate more confidently with my family and friends."

$946raised
$225to go

Kerventz is a high school student from Haiti. He has been raised in an orphanage in central Haiti since he was a small child, and still lives there today. He wants to pursue a career in science. In his free time, he likes playing video games and watching soccer on TV. Kerventz has a cardiac condition called mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of his heart does not open and shut properly as a result of an infection he suffered as a child. This has led to heart failure, leaving him weak and short of breath. Kerventz needs to fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On August 11th, he will undergo heart surgery, during which surgeons will attempt to repair his damaged valve; if unable, they will replace it with an artificial valve. Another organization, Haitian Hearts Foundation, is contributing to pay for the surgery. But Kerventz's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Kerventz's family overseas. Kerventz says, "I am so glad to finally have this opportunity, I have been worrying about my heart for a long time!"

$984raised
$516to go

Moo is a 14-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his step-sister and his two nieces in a refugee camp in Thailand. His parents still live in Burma. He came to the camp so he could continue studying. He is in the 7th grade. During his free time, he enjoys playing football with his friends and reading books. On July 8th, 2026, Moo had stomach pains. A few days later, he started to have a fever. He visited the hospital in the camp, where he was given medicines. Unfortunately, the medicines did not address his symptoms. Moo was referred to our medical partner's care center, Mae Sariang Hospital, where he was diagnosed with appendicitis. He needs surgery immediately, or his symptoms will continue to worsen. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Moo receive treatment. On July 15th, he will undergo an appendectomy, a surgery to remove the appendix when it becomes infected. He needs help raising $1,500 to help fund his procedure and care. Moo said, "I am so much in pain, and I could not bear it anymore. Thank you very much for helping me."

$985raised
$515to go

50-year-old Snollah is a small-scale businesswoman who sells tomatoes in her neighborhood in Malawi. Together, she and her husband have three children, the youngest of whom is still in school. Snollah's husband is a quantity surveyor who is currently unable to work, due to a diagnosis of prostate cancer, for which he is receiving treatment. For about three years now, Snollah has been experiencing backaches, lower abdominal pains and a lack of appetite. At first, she was treated for epigastric pain, but when that didn't work, she returned to the hospital, where scans revealed several large, uterine fibroids. Because of the size of these tumors, they are considered to be potentially dangerous, as they can cause pressure on other organs. She was informed that she would need to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,363 to fund Snollah's surgery, which is scheduled to take place on June 8th, at Partners in Hope Medical Center. Once recovered, Snollah will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain, and to continue to support her husband. She says, "I experience fullness in my belly which is very uncomfortable. Your support will provide comfort and help me be a supportive mother."

$949raised
$414to go

Sebit is an 11-year-old student from South Sudan. His father is a fisherman, and his mother is currently unemployed. Living in a remote region of South Sudan, the family is located far from specialized medical care. In September 2021, Sebit fell from a tree while playing with his friends. He landed chin-first and injured his mouth, biting through his lower lip and bleeding heavily. At first, he did not seem to be in pain, but about a month later, both sides of his cheeks began to swell. From that point on, Sebit could no longer open his mouth well. Simple activities such as talking, laughing, and eating became extremely difficult. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with a jaw fracture and recommended surgery. However, due to the complexity of the procedure, the surgery could not be performed at local facilities. Sebit was given pain medication and sent home. For the past five years, Sebit has lived in this condition. He speaks in low tones, eats slowly in very small portions, and avoids sleeping on either side of his face because of the discomfort. The swelling in his cheeks comes and goes, often leaving him in pain and distress. Sebit slowly adapted to this painful new reality, uncertain whether his condition was improving or worsening with time. Hope finally arrived when a well-wisher learned about Sebit’s condition and referred the family to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital. This meant the family had to travel from South Sudan to Kenya for treatment, and the well-wisher helped cover the cost of their journey. After undergoing scans at our hospital, doctors discovered that Sebit’s jaws had fused and locked together, preventing him from opening his mouth. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On May 14th, Sebit will undergo a mandible reconstruction surgery to restore movement to his jaw and help him eat, speak, and live healthier again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,115 to fund this procedure. Sebit says, “Whenever I try to open my mouth, I feel pain. I have to eat very slowly and only in small portions.”

$1,115raised
Fully funded

Surjeet is a 26-year-old man from India. He drives an electric auto rickshaw as a daily wage earner. When Surjeet was four years old, he sustained burns while sitting around a bonfire during winter. For around two months, he was treated at home by a nurse working at a government hospital. Twelve years ago, Surjeet, who lives in Bihar, travelled over 300 kilometers to visit our medical partner, G.S. Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital and Trauma Center, for specialized care. He had extensive post-burn contractures or tightening of the skin around the neck, arms, hands, and lower lip. He has undergone two surgeries for the release of his neck and left axillary contractures. Surjeet needs another surgery to help him regain strength and mobility in his right wrist and hand. On April 16th, he will undergo burn contracture release surgery, and he needs help raising $1,442 to fund his treatment and care. Surjeet has high hopes that this surgery will help him regain the function of his right hand. Surjeet's father shared, "With the help of G S Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital, I hope that my son will be able to study further with the promise of a better future after this surgery."

$1,442raised
Fully funded

Nicolás dreams of becoming a soccer player when he grows up. He is a cheerful, intelligent boy with a big heart. He likes to take care of others and enjoys spending time with his friends. He currently lives in Jericó with his family. Approximately two years ago, Nicolás was examined for the first time by a pediatric dentist, who diagnosed him with multiple deep cavities. Since then, he has been under observation, but the progression of the disease has caused intense and persistent pain, inflammation, pus accumulation, and difficulties eating and sleeping. The process has been complex due to Nicolás's young age, so it was finally determined that the treatment must be performed under general anesthesia. Fortunately, our medical partner, Clínica Noel, will perform Nicolás's procedure on March 27th. They are requesting $868 to cover the treatment costs. This will not only relieve his physical pain but also allow him to regain his well-being and quality of life. Nicolás's mother shares, "I hope Nicolás can regain his smile and the quality of life that every child deserves. Seeing someone who doesn't know him personally get involved with such love is the purest reflection of human kindness. May God continue to bless you and guide your every step in this noble mission. As a mother, I would tell you that people like you are very rare, and that you should not stop doing this beautiful thing for those who really need it. I am sure that Nicolás would be deeply happy and grateful for your help."

$868raised
Fully funded

Angella is a 41-year-old mother of three from Malawi. As a full-time homemaker, the family depends on her husband's income; he runs a small business to support the family. His income covers school fees and basic household needs, but is barely enough to cover surgical costs. Four months ago, Angella started experiencing abdominal pain that was first mistakenly diagnosed as peptic ulcer disease. Soon after, she began noticing intermittent swelling around her umbilical area, accompanied with pain. As the symptoms worsened, Angella could no longer perform strenuous household chores that involved bending or lifting, and spent most of her time resting. In mid-November, her condition worsened when the swelling episodes became more frequent and lasted longer, causing intense pain. She went to the regional referral hospital, and was referred to our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope (PIH), due to long waiting lists. At PIH, Angella was reviewed, and diagnosed with supra-umbilical hernia, a bulge in the upper abdomen, where tissue pushes through a weak spot in the midline abdominal muscles. Surgery has been recommended, but she cannot afford it. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Angella receive treatment. On December 10th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at Partners in Hope Medical Center. Once completed, this procedure will alleviate her painful symptoms, allow her to live a healthier life. Now, Angella needs help to fund this $575 procedure. She softly said, “I am worried because I don’t want to die and leave my children alone. With your support and restored health, I will continue being a responsible mother to my family.”

$575raised
Fully funded