Kathryn Roberts
Kathryn's Story

Kathryn joined Watsi on March 13th, 2015. 19 other people also joined Watsi on that day! Kathryn's most recent donation supported Komuhangi, an aspiring nurse from Uganda, for a hernia repair surgery.

Impact

Kathryn has funded healthcare for 3 patients in 2 countries.

Patients funded by Kathryn

Meet eight-year-old Komuhangi, a third grade student who lives in Uganda with her single mother. She loves flowers, and her favorite subject in school is English. She dreams of one day becoming a nurse so that she can help people. Komuhangi has an umbilical hernia--causing a loop of her intestines to abnormally protrude in her abdomen. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), explains, "After birth, Komuhangi's umbilical cord took long to heal. The belly button was bigger than normal but her mother thought it was ok." A year ago, Komuhangi began experiencing on and off again abdominal pain. Sometimes the pain was so severe that she was even unable to eat her meals. Komuhangi also developed painless umbilical swelling. Komuhangi’s condition puts her at risk of further health complications. "If not treated, Komuhangi is at a high risk of getting intestinal obstruction." Komuhangi’s mother works as a store assistant at the hospital and "is unable to fund her daughter's surgery because her salary is their sole source of income and it cannot cover all their needs." For $220, doctors will perform surgery to treat her umbilical hernia. This operation will reposition the displaced loop of Komuhangi's intestine and repair the damaged section of her abdominal wall. By closing off the site of the defect, Komuhangi will be pain-free and without risk of obstruction. AMHF states that after her recovery, “Komuhangi will be able to concentrate on her studies and hopefully achieve her dreams." "Thank you for the help," Komuhangi says. "I wish I could see you and give you flowers."

$220raised
Fully funded

Victoria, a 46-year-old woman, lives in Guatemala with her husband and six children. She supports her family as a textile weaver, while her husband sells textiles and handcrafts in a nearby town. To supplement their income, they farm corn in a small plot of land. “Victoria has rheumatoid arthritis,” our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), explains. “Over the past year, it has gotten so bad that she has had to stop working. This is compromising her family’s ability to earn enough money to care for their children.” Rheumatoid arthritis is a debilitating chronic disease that causes inflammation in the joints. In most cases, patients with this condition experience some form of deformity--diminishing the ability to use their hands or feet. “Victoria is constantly in pain and believes that Wuqu’ Kawoq is her last hope,” WK tells us. “Without intervention, she will continue to live in constant pain and her ability to move and complete daily activities will become near impossible over time.” For $425, Victoria will receive treatment for her rheumatoid arthritis. WK will provide medication and regular follow-ups to monitor her condition, allowing her to get back to her family and work. With access to appropriate medication and medical attention, Victoria will be able to complete daily tasks easier and get back to her job to support her family. “My daughters have been helping me, but I want them to feel free to live their own lives and not have to constantly care for me,” shares Victoria. “I just want to get better so I can help my family."

$425raised
Fully funded