Russell Smith
Russell's Story

Russell joined Watsi on November 6th, 2014. 58 other people also joined Watsi on that day! Russell's most recent donation traveled 8,400 miles to support Farhan, a 29-year-old man from Somaliland, so he can walk without pain.

Impact

Russell has funded healthcare for 4 patients in 3 countries.

Patients funded by Russell

“I want to see her comfortable and happy playing with other children, and to live a normal life,” says the mother of this beautiful seven-year-old Agnes. Agnes and her mother live in Tanzania, where Agnes is a first grade student. She likes school, especially reading and math. She loves to sing and draw as well. When Agnes was a baby, she had her first surgery to treat the anorectal malformation she has had since birth. Agnes is unable to pass stool normally, which results in unhygienic conditions and high risk of infection. Five years after her first surgery, Agnes’ father ran away and left Agnes with her mother. He said he could not stand all the hospital visits, and was troubled by the stigma attached to his daughter’s condition. Agnes’ mother now supports the family on her own by renting a small space and running a hair salon where she braids hair; however, the income earned is not enough to cover surgery needed for Agnes to thrive. “If not treated, Agnes will be uncomfortable, prone to infections and her social life will be affected,” explain our partners at African Mission Healthcare Foundation. “After surgery, the incontinence problem will be resolved, restoring Agnes’ self-confidence. Agnes will also no longer be at such high risk of infection, allowing her to smoothly continue with her education.” For $1,500, we can fund the three-stage surgery and recovery to help Agnes attend school free from risk of infection and social stigma. Let’s help Agnes continue to spend time learning, while her mother’s dream of seeing her daughter comfortable and happy comes true!

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Grace is a 42-year-old woman living in rural Kenya with her husband and 24-year-old son. Grace’s husband is disabled following an accident, and depends fully on Grace, who works doing laundry for neighbors. Grace has multiple fibroids, which are common benign growths that develop in the muscular lining of the uterus. In some people, the presence of fibroids doesn’t cause any symptoms. In other cases, such as Grace’s, the size and location of these fibroids can cause pain and heavy bleeding. “Grace has been suffering from this condition for around two years. The excessive bleeding has led her to stay indoors as it is difficult to move around and even to maintain a social life. She has visited many hospitals without help. Grace came to our clinic and was diagnosed but could not raise the money to have the surgery,” our medical partners at African Mission Healthcare Foundation tell us. “If not treated, the fibroids will continue to grow, affecting surrounding body organs. Grace will continue to feel pain and the excessive bleeding could lead to anemia. Grace will not have the strength to care for her sick husband.” “My husband looks up to me for all his and our needs. Without this surgery, we have no hope in this life. If I am treated, I hope to work hard and start a salon business to support my family” says Grace about her own hopes for treatment. To treat Grace’s condition, her doctors will perform a total abdominal hysterectomy, removing her uterus where the fibroids are located. It will cost $790 to fund this crucial treatment for Grace – let’s come together and do this!

$790raised
Fully funded