Nik van der PloegUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER
Nik's Story

Nik joined Watsi on August 19th, 2015. Eight years ago, Nik joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Nik's most recent donation supported Zaw, a baby boy from Burma, to treat a protrusion from his skull.

Impact

Nik has funded healthcare for 6 patients in 5 countries.

Patients funded by Nik

“Zaw is a playful 19-month-old baby who suffers from a neurological condition called encephalocele,” our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), tells us. Zaw lives with his parents, sister, and grandmother in Burma. An encephalocele is a sac of brain tissue that protrudes through a structural gap in the front or back of the skull. They are very rare, occurring in one in 5,000 births. Protrusions in the front of the skull—as is the case with little Zaw—are more common in Southeast Asia than those at the back and may cause difficulty seeing, breathing, or eating. Infection of the encephalocele due to injury or rupture is a major concern and can be life-threatening. BBP continues, “Since Zaw was born, the mass has now grown. It covers the bridge of his nose, the top of his left cheek, and his left eye. If something accidently touches the mass on his face, then he cries loudly, but otherwise he is a playful, happy little boy.” Zaw’s father works as a day laborer in construction, and his mother stays at home to take care of Zaw and his sister. They have been very worried about their son’s condition. $1,500 will fund surgery to remove Zaw's encephalocele, repair the hole in his skull with a bone graft, and reconstruct his face. Funding also covers eight days of hospital care, transportation to and from the hospital, and three post-operative follow-up appointments. BBP says, “Encephalocele repair will improve Zaw's future. He will no longer have disfiguration and will also be able to see and breathe better.” Let’s help fund surgery for Zaw!

$1,500raised
Fully funded

“Justin is the youngest of four children. He likes to play with toy balls and little cars," our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK) tells us. Justin is one-year-old and lives with his family in Guatemala. “Justin is battling malnutrition due to limited food supply and constant diarrhea and vomiting,” reports WK. “During one particularly bad episode, his mother took Justin to the health center, where she was told that her son was malnourished. However, the health center offered zero counseling and medication to assist.” If acute malnutrition goes uncorrected, Justin will suffer developmental setbacks. His health will flag as his immune system deteriorates, subjecting him to chronic illnesses. He will have difficulty keeping up in school and will fall behind his peers mentally and physically. Justin’s father is unable to work, so his mother is the breadwinner of the family. She often works in the field days at a time to provide for the family. With the strain of supporting four children, it is difficult for her to supply the resources for them all and supply Justin with the extra food and medication to address his malnutrition. She shares, “I am so glad you are here, because I have heard about you and I know that with your help Justin will be able to grow and reach his full potential.” $535 can provide the treatment Justin needs to get his health back on track. This money will provide Justin with macronutrient support to recoup the height and weight he has lost. Medication will help stop the episodes of vomiting and diarrhea, and in time his immune system will become strong enough to ensure he does not continue to get ill. To ensure that Justin and his siblings maintain their health long-term, Justin’s mother will receive nutritional education. “This treatment will give Justin’s mother the education and support she needs to help Justin avoid the permanent effects of malnutrition,” explains WK. “She will feel confident in her care decisions and be able to offer Justin and his siblings higher quality food options via differences in preparation, not cost.” Let’s help Justin and his family take the necessary steps to gain long-term health!

$535raised
Fully funded

Meet Kyi Win, a 49-year-old wife and mother of five children from Burma. According to our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), “Kyi Win and her husband are farmers who grow their own food. When Kyi Win’s family needs money for various costs, such as school fees, they sell some spare rice or a pig.” Kyi Win is no longer able to work due to a prolapsed uterus. This condition occurs when all of the muscles surrounding the uterus weaken—consequently causing the uterus to drop. If her condition goes untreated, the muscles surrounding Kyi Win’s uterus will continue to weaken, leading to further health complications. “Her prolapsed uterus is now a mass outside of her body,” BBP explains. “This presents multiple problems for Kyi Win: she is unable to walk easily and therefore cannot work and care for her family.” As they are small-scale farmers who only receive labor assistance from the three oldest children, Kyi Win and her husband are unable to afford the cost of treatment. Kyi Win has already sought financial help from family members, who have helped pay for her previous medical expenses. However, Kyi Win tells BBP, “I do not want to cause further problems for my family by borrowing more money for my health issues.” With $1,500 in Watsi funding, Kyi Win will receive a total abdominal hysterectomy to remove her uterus and cervix—ensuring that her problems will not persist into the future. In addition to her operation, Kyi Win will receive seven days of hospital care, all necessary medical examinations, and a post-operative visit to help facilitate a safe recovery. Following her recovery, “Kyi Win will be able to return to caring for her family by continuing to work on the family farm,” predicts BBP. Kyi Win looks forward to the independence that will follow a successful procedure and recovery. She shares, “I will have no more problems if I can walk well.”

$1,500raised
Fully funded