Jerrett Strain
Jerrett's Story

Jerrett joined Watsi on July 28th, 2015. 105 other people also joined Watsi on that day! Jerrett's most recent donation supported Rosario, a baby girl from Guatemala, to treat acute malnutrition due to lactation failure.

Team

InQuicker

7 members

Impact

Jerrett has funded healthcare for 2 patients in 2 countries.

Patients funded by Jerrett

Rosario is a newborn baby girl who lives with her family in Guatemala. Rosario’s father is a day laborer on a farm nearby, and her mother helps her mother-in-law take care of the house and land. “Rosario is suffering from acute malnutrition due to lactation failure,” shares our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). “When examined by our medical team, Rosario had very little energy. Her mother does not have enough money to pay for formula, and if intervention does not occur soon Rosario will be in danger of permanent mental and physical damage or death.” Rosario’s mother is 18 years old and had a very complicated pregnancy and birth, in which Rosario required critical care. Despite these previous complications, Rosario’s mother is extremely dedicated to the health of her baby. “When she realized she could not produce sufficient breast milk, she immediately came to our clinic asking for help,” explains WK. “She cries because she is hungry and there is nothing I can do,” shares her mother. “I feel so helpless and embarrassed. She is my first child and I just want the best for her.” Fortunately, treating lactation failure is easy and effective. With our support of $1,220, WK will be able to work with Rosario and her family to prevent future threats of malnutrition. Doctors will provide a combination of milk formula supplementation, growth monitoring and intensive nutrition education to give Rosario and her mother the tools Rosario needs to survive and thrive. “We believe our treatment plan will allow Rosario to recoup the weight she has lost and start to develop normally,” explains WK. “She will avoid the loss of developmental milestones, and grow to her full mental and physical potential.”

$1,220raised
Fully funded

Meet Mwanakombo, a six-year-old girl from Kenya. Mwanakombo lives with her parents and is “the firstborn child in a family of three children,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “Mwanakombo is now at a school-going age,” AMHF continues. However, Mwanakombo has been unable to pass stool on her own due to an anorectal malformation, and she “often misses school because of discomfort and irritation.” A congenital anorectal malformation is a condition whereby the anal region fails to properly develop in utero. Although cases vary and some patients are born with anal openings smaller than usual, AMHF reports, “Mwanakombo was born without an anal opening.” When she was just one month old, Mwanakombo received a colostomy to allow her to pass stool. However, this procedure is far from sustainable and puts Mwanakombo at risk of exposure to various infections as she continues to grow. In addition, “The colostomy makes it difficult for Mwanakombo to interact with other children freely,” explains AMHF. A two-stage complete anal malformation corrective surgery is required to allow Mwanakombo to pass stool independently. $1,260 will fund the entire procedure. First, she will receive an anorectoplasty to move her bowel to its correct position. Following that procedure, Mwanakombo will undergo a colostomy, which will enable her to pass stool without any assistance. In addition to freeing her from discomfort, this correction will give Mwanakombo independence and confidence. “The treatment will enable Mwanakombo to pass stool normally,” AMHF predicts. “She will be able to go back to school and interact freely with others.” Mwanakombo’s mother shares, “My wish is to see my daughter treated so that she can continue with her schooling. She loves going to school but is finding it difficult to adjust.”

$1,260raised
Fully funded