The Bass FamilyUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER

Bellingham, Washington

United States
The's Story

The joined Watsi on September 19th, 2016. Two years ago, The joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. The's most recent donation traveled 8,200 miles to support Tewodros, a two-year-old boy from Ethiopia, to fund corrective surgery.

Impact

The has funded healthcare for 102 patients in 12 countries.

Patients funded by The

Tewodros is an active and sociable two-year-old boy from Ethiopia, who loves watching cartoons and playing football. He has an older sister, and they live in a full household with their parents, aunt, and cousins. Since his father works as a daily laborer and his mother works as a cleaner, he spends most of his day under the care of his aunt. When he was barely a year old, Tewodros's parents noticed he was having difficulty urinating. Worried, they took him to a nearby hospital, where he was diagnosed with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. Tewodros was placed on a two-year surgery waiting list, due to the high number of children needing treatment. The alternative would be a private hospital, but Tewodros's parents could not afford the necessary fees. The family was finally referred to BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM). They were overjoyed to finally receive the help they needed. Tewodros is now scheduled for surgery on May 19th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Tewodros's mother says, "I would like to thank BKMCM. I was so worried about my son starting school. We hope the organization continues to grow, and that Tewodros remains healthy."

$1,154raised
$139to go

Emmanuel is a 45-year-old hardworking father from Philippines. He previously worked as driver to support his family, but is currently unemployed, which is challenging while raising two school-going children. His wife is also unemployed, and with no steady income, the family often skip meals and mainly depend on partial repayments of debts from relatives, and occasionally borrow money from the children's uncle. Six years ago, Emmanuel began to experience troubling symptoms, including intense chest pains that radiate to his back, which prevented him from sitting or lying down. He made repeated attempts to seek treatment in public hospitals, but these were unsuccessful due to overcrowding. Emmanuel is growing increasingly worried about not being able to provide for his family, yet he remains hopeful that the surgery could alleviate his painful symptoms and reduce the financial strain on his family. Emmanuel has been diagnosed with cholelithiasis, which are hardened pieces of bile that form in the gallbladder. Doctors have advised him to undergo a cholecystectomy, which the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, his symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at a risk of future health complications. Emmanuel is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on April 11th, through our partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP). A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,031 to cover the cost of Emmanuel's surgery and care. Emmanuel says: "Despite our current struggles, I remain optimistic about our future. Once I receive treatment for my condition, I'll return to work so I can provide for my family again. My wife and children keep me strong."

$481raised
$550to go

Laysing is a two-year-old boy from Preah Sihanouk Province in Cambodia. He lives with his parents and his four-year-old sister. His father works for a private company, while his mother stays at home to care for the children. He enjoys playing with toys alongside his sister, and his favorite meal is soup, especially lemongrass sour soup. Laysing was born with scoliosis, a condition in which the spine curves abnormally to one side. His parents first noticed the condition when he began walking. As he has grown, the scoliosis has caused him to tire easily when walking or playing. The condition makes everyday activities difficult and sometimes causes discomfort. Laysing's parents are concerned about his posture and possible complications in the future. Laysing's family heard about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), and traveled four hours to attend a consultation. After extensive testing, doctors recommended that Laysing have spinal surgery. Without treatment, Laysing's symptoms will continue, and he will be at risk of future complications. On March 23rd, surgeons at CSC will implant a metal "growing rod" into Laysing's spine to help correct the curve and allow for further spine growth. CSC is requesting $1,500 to cover the costs of his surgery, the implant, and post-operative care, including physiotherapy. This treatment will help him stand taller, move more comfortably, and reduce fatigue. After recovery, he should be able to play, walk, and participate in daily activities more easily, improving both his quality of life and his confidence. Laysing's mother shares, “I pray that after the surgery, my child will feel stronger, stand taller, and live freely without discomfort, embracing a future full of hope and happiness.”

$1,052raised
$448to go

Samuel is a 27-year-old father of two from Kenya. He previously worked as a casual laborer at a milk processing company and was very committed to providing for his family. In 2019, a neighbor asked Samuel for help picking mangoes. He accidentally fell and sustained a spinal injury that led to paralysis. Over time, he was able to move around using a wheelchair, but he could not go back to work. His wife is now the family’s breadwinner, taking on any casual jobs available. On the 24th of January, 2026, Samuel accidentally fell from the bed and landed on his left leg, resulting in a closed fracture. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 16th, Samuel will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This treatment will prevent complications such as nonunion of the bone, and his situation will become even more difficult, as he may remain permanently bedridden. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,048 to fund this procedure. Samuel shared, "I have waited, but my family is not able to pay the fee for this surgery. I would really appreciate it if helped, so that I can be operated. This will relieve my pain, and at least I can be well enough to move around rather than be in bed throughout."

$841raised
$207to go

Clamson is a young student from Haiti. He lives with his parents and younger sister in a city in northern Haiti. He likes going to kindergarten and to church. Clamson has a cardiac condition called a ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart; blood leaks through this hole without passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. Clamson will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On January 22nd, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in his heart so that blood can no longer leak through it. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $5000.00 to pay for surgery. Clamson's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. They need help raising $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 Clamson's family overseas. Clamson's mother shared, "Our family has been praying for this surgery ever since we found out about our son's heart problem. We are glad the time has finally arrived!"

$1,003raised
$497to go

Fatuma is a cheerful 17-year-old girl from Migori in Kenya. She is a Grade 7 pupil who enjoys learning, making new friends, and dreams of becoming an orthopedic doctor one day. The 12th born in her family, Fatuma lives with her widowed mother, who works as a fish vendor. Fatuma was born with bilateral club foot, a condition in which the feet are twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Some time ago, Fatuma's brother, Joseph, came across a post on Facebook, about a mobile clinic by our medical partner's care center, AIC CURE Hospital. He told Fatuma and their mother, encouraging them to attend. Fatuma was reviewed and underwent serial casting and reconstruction of her right foot through support from Watsi, which has healed well. She is now in hospital undergoing serial casting in preparation for her left foot surgical repair. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Fatuma receive treatment. On December 9th, she will undergo clubfoot repair surgery, allowing her to walk confidently, wear shoes, boost her self-esteem, and continue with her education without any limitations from the condition. Now, Fatuma's family needs help to fund this $1,286 procedure. Shyly, Fatuma said: “I am so happy that my treatment has started. I look forward to the day I will walk well, wear my shoes, and feel confident like other girls."

$1,286raised
Fully funded

Win is a 48-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his wife in a refugee Camp in Phop Phra District, Tak Province, Thailand. They have lived in the refugee camp since 2011. Win is a homemaker, as he is unable to work due to a leg injury he sustained in 1997 when he was arrested by the Burmese Army and forced to be a porter and laborer for them. While cleaning outside the camp one day, he hit a mine, which injured his leg. Win's wife is a day laborer, but her work is inconsistent, as she only works when employers come to the camp and announce that they need help. Since 2019, Win has had a right inguinal hernia. Currently, he continues to experience pain in his lower abdomen. The pain is worse when he sits up, so he must stay in a supine position. Fortunately, on November 5th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sot General Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Win's hernia repair surgery. Aside from the physical symptoms, Win says, “I feel useless. Even if I couldn’t work before I was admitted to the hospital, I could cook and clean and take care of the house. Now I can’t even do that.”

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Aprinel is 36 years old and a housewife from the Philippines. She manages her entire household and takes care of her child. She also helps with the family’s finances by taking on side jobs, such as doing laundry for other people. She also helps out as a dishwasher in a small restaurant. Her husband works as a cook in a small eatery. Five years ago, Aprinel began to experience troubling symptoms, including easily getting tired, even from doing simple household chores. She was diagnosed with Colloid Adenomatous Goiter. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Aprinel receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on October 9th, where surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. A portion of the cost of her treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $935 to cover the cost of Aprinel's procedure and care. Aprinel says, "I am sincerely expressing my gratitude to everyone who helps me during this difficult time. Thank you very much!"

$935raised
Fully funded

Thi Ha is a 39-year-old father from Burma. He lives with his wife and son. He works as a freelance English teacher, while his wife is a homemaker, and their son attends school In 2009, Thi Ha began experiencing back pain and was diagnosed with renal stones in both kidneys, for which he underwent stone removal surgery in Burma. The symptoms recurred in 2023, and recurrent renal stones were identified in both kidneys. On January 24, 2025, with support from our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), he underwent left kidney stone removal surgery. A similar procedure is scheduled for the right kidney. Doctors recommend he undergo a procedure called percutaneous nephrolithotomy, which removes kidney stones from the body when they cannot pass on their own. BCMF is requesting $1500 to fund this procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place on August 4th and, once completed, it will hopefully improve Thi Ha's quality of life. Thi Ha said, “Thank you so much for providing support for my treatment. It is too difficult to earn enough money for my surgery, so it means a lot for me and my family.”

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Thant is a four-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his aunt, younger sister, and two cousins in Tak Province, Thailand. He was born in Thailand, but his parents are from Burma. He and his younger sister were looked after by their aunt while both his parents had left to work in Bangkok a few months ago. They send money to support Thant and his sister, as well as his aunt's family. Since he was four months old, Thant has had an inguinal hernia. Currently, his right scrotum is swelling, and if he plays, he feels pain. This also affects his sleep. He cannot play much with friends and cannot be active because if he does, he feels more pain. Fortunately, on August 27th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sot General Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children's Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Thant's hernia repair surgery. Once completed, it will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Thant's aunt said, "I am sad that I cannot help him. I have to look after him and his sister, as well as my own kids, which is very difficult for me sometimes, and also perform my household chores. After he recovers, I will send him to school, but for now, due to the pain, he can't go to school yet."

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Belta is three years old and the youngest of two from Uganda. Belta's mother runs a kiosk where she sells vegetables and fruits. Her father does any casual job that comes by. Sometimes he can go days without work. Belta is playful and bubbly, even though she lives in silence. From the time she was two years old, her parents began to notice that something wasn’t right. Unlike her older sibling, Belta wasn't responding to sounds or trying to speak. She only reacted when someone raised their voice unusually loudly. Belta's parents were advised to take her to a hospital for examination. She was taken to a nearby hospital, examined, and given some medications to use, but weeks passed without any change. Belta was referred to many hospitals and advised to take several tests, but her parents could not afford them. Belta was referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, where she was diagnosed with severe to profound hearing loss. She needs to be fitted with hearing aids to help her communicate better and reach developmental milestones. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, requests $1,171 for Belta's care. Belta's father says, "After learning about the severity of Belta's condition, we had sleepless nights trying to figure out the best solution. So far, we haven't given up and we hope that doors will open."

$1,171raised
Fully funded

Misgun is a 12-year-old boy from Eritrea who loves playing football and drawing, especially pictures of saints. As his mother's first child, he brings immense joy to her life. He also has a younger sister - a toddler - with whom he enjoys playing volleyball. The bond between them is strong and full of joy! In 2017, Misgun and his mother fled their home country in search of safety and arrived at a refugee camp in Ethiopia. However, when conflict broke out in Northern Ethiopia, the camp became unsafe, prompting them to relocate to Addis Ababa with the help of friends. Along the way, they faced significant hardships but eventually reunited with family and began rebuilding their lives in the city, where Misgun's mother later gave birth to her second child. Life in Addis Ababa has been filled with challenges. Misgun's mother is a single mom living in a small studio in the city with her two children and cousin. She used to work as a domestic helper, but due to high blood pressure and recurring fainting episodes, she had to stop. Her cousin, who has also struggled to find work, has no steady income. Language barriers make it difficult to find work, and the family's survival has largely depended on the kindness and support of others and extended family members being able to occasionally send small amounts of money to help cover rent and basic needs. Misgun now attends a government school, where his education, school supplies, uniform, and meals are covered through a public feeding program for elementary students. Misgun 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. Fortunately, Misgun is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on June 24th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Misgun's mother said, "I believe he will finally receive the surgery, and this chapter of our struggle will pass. I pray he will be able to live without shame."

$1,293raised
Fully funded