Matt MateiescuUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER

United States   •   http://www.mattmakesmoves.com   •   January 21st
Matt's Story

Matt joined Watsi on August 28th, 2014. Five years ago, Matt joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Matt's most recent donation traveled 9,000 miles to support Rabecca, a mother of one from Malawi, to fund a thyroidectomy.

Impact

Matt has funded healthcare for 89 patients in 15 countries.

Patients funded by Matt

Yesak is a joyful two-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He is known for his bright smile, active nature, and love for playing with his friends. He enjoys playing football and riding his bicycle. As the first child of his parents, he is curious, intelligent, and quick to remember new things. He loves exploring his surroundings, spending time with other children, and learning through play. Yisak lives with his parents in a rented house. His father works in the insurance sector, while his mother works as a messenger. Yesak was born with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. Yesak's parents first discovered his condition when they took him for circumcision. During the visit, the doctor explained the condition to them. The news left the family worried and frustrated, but the doctor reassured them that the condition was treatable and advised them not to lose hope. The doctor referred Yisak to a higher-level hospital for specialized treatment when he became older. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of future complications. Fortunately, Yesak is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on June 26th, and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Yisak's father said, "Thank you very much. We were warmly welcomed and treated with kindness by the staff. The services provided were professional and exceeded our expectations. We are grateful for the care and support given to Yisak and hopeful for a positive outcome for his condition."

$1,293raised
Fully funded

Sebit is an 11-year-old student from South Sudan. His father is a fisherman, and his mother is currently unemployed. Living in a remote region of South Sudan, the family is located far from specialized medical care. In September 2021, Sebit fell from a tree while playing with his friends. He landed chin-first and injured his mouth, biting through his lower lip and bleeding heavily. At first, he did not seem to be in pain, but about a month later, both sides of his cheeks began to swell. From that point on, Sebit could no longer open his mouth well. Simple activities such as talking, laughing, and eating became extremely difficult. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with a jaw fracture and recommended surgery. However, due to the complexity of the procedure, the surgery could not be performed at local facilities. Sebit was given pain medication and sent home. For the past five years, Sebit has lived in this condition. He speaks in low tones, eats slowly in very small portions, and avoids sleeping on either side of his face because of the discomfort. The swelling in his cheeks comes and goes, often leaving him in pain and distress. Sebit slowly adapted to this painful new reality, uncertain whether his condition was improving or worsening with time. Hope finally arrived when a well-wisher learned about Sebit’s condition and referred the family to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital. This meant the family had to travel from South Sudan to Kenya for treatment, and the well-wisher helped cover the cost of their journey. After undergoing scans at our hospital, doctors discovered that Sebit’s jaws had fused and locked together, preventing him from opening his mouth. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On May 14th, Sebit will undergo a mandible reconstruction surgery to restore movement to his jaw and help him eat, speak, and live healthier again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,115 to fund this procedure. Sebit says, “Whenever I try to open my mouth, I feel pain. I have to eat very slowly and only in small portions.”

$1,115raised
Fully funded

Kelvin is a lively five-year-old boy who lives in Kenya with his parents and older sibling. His father is a motorcycle taxi driver, and his mother is a farmer. He is an active boy who enjoys playing football. At home, he is very helpful and often assists his family with chores, including working on the farm. Kelvin was born with a significant misalignment in his right foot. This condition has affected his ability to stand upright and to walk with ease. Kelvin was also born with a heart condition, which took priority in terms of treatment. Thankfully, this condition was successfully treated, and Kelvin's family can now focus on treatment for his mobility issues. Kelvin has already received conservative treatments at several hospitals, but unfortunately, there has been no significant improvement in his condition. Thus, his parents decided to visit the CURE Mobile Clinic in Meru, where they were referred to our partner's medical care center, AIC CURE International Hospital. After a thorough assessment, Kelvin was scheduled for right tibia hemimelia reconstruction surgery. This surgery is expected to greatly improve his life, allowing him to stand upright, walk properly, and enjoy childhood like other children his age. Kelvin will undergo surgery on April 29th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,224 to cover the cost of Kelvin's procedure and care. Kelvin's mother shared, “I am praying that he receives treatment, recovers quickly, and can join school like other children."

$1,224raised
Fully funded

Adriana is a seven-year-old girl from Colombia. Approximately one year ago, she was first evaluated by a pediatric dentist, who diagnosed multiple deep dental cavities. Since then, she has been under ongoing observation. However, the progression of the disease has led to inflammation, the presence of pus, and difficulty eating. Although Adriana isn't currently experiencing any pain, her condition significantly impairs her physical and functional development. The management process of Adriana's condition has been complex, and it was ultimately determined that treatment must be performed under general anesthesia due to the number of affected teeth and the patient’s young age. Fortunately, Adriana will receive treatment from our medical partner, Clínica Noel, on April 20th. They are requesting $1,109 to cover the cost of her treatment. This will not only alleviate Adriana's physical pain but will also significantly contribute to restoring her quality of life and overall development. Adriana's mother shares, "As a mother, my greatest hope is that my daughter can improve her quality of life, grow up to be a healthy child, become more independent, and have better opportunities for her future. We are currently seeking support to access the treatment she needs, in the hope of providing her with a fuller, more dignified life and greater opportunities for development. We are fully confident that, with the right help, her treatment will be successful and she will make a full recovery. To everyone who wishes to support us, I want to express my most sincere gratitude. Your help represents immense hope for us and a light on this path. I am convinced that every act of kindness is rewarded and that God blesses those who act with a compassionate heart. My daughter would be immensely happy to receive this help, as it would mean a valuable opportunity to improve her well-being and transform her life."

$1,109raised
Fully funded

28-year-old Simion lives with his wife and child in Kenya. Despite having to drop out of school due to finances, Simion now earns a living as a welder and a motorcycle mechanic, using skills he acquired through observation and practice. On January 31st, while at work, Simion was on a motorcycle carrying spare parts when a speeding vehicle lost control and ran over his leg. He sustained a large open wound on his right foot. He received immediate first aid at the scene, and was brought to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kapsowar Hospital, where the bleeding was controlled, and the wound was washed out. A plastic surgeon was consulted, and due to the extensive soft tissue defect, a free flap and skin graft were recommended to achieve proper wound coverage and limb salvage. This is not Simion's first road traffic accident. As the result of an accident that happened when he was younger, Simion lost function of his left eye. He is currently worried that he would not be able to afford the treatment that he needs. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Simion receive treatment. On February 3rd, he will undergo skin graft surgery at AIC Kapsowar Hospital to aid in the healing of his leg. While he tried diligently to raise the funds to cover the costs of his procedure, Simion needs your help to raise $1,183. Simion said: "I would be very grateful if you helped me get the surgery. Currently, I am in lots of pain and afraid when I see my leg. Please help me so that I can go back home, be able to go back to work, and take care of my young family."

$1,183raised
Fully funded

Raffy is a father of four children—three sons and one infant daughter. The family resides in Parañaque City in the Philippines. Raffy works as a scrap collector and sells his finds at nearby shops. He earns enough to support his family's daily living expenses. However, Raffy admits that this income is just enough to cover their needs. His partner is a full-time housewife who remains at home to care for their children. He prefers that she not seek employment so she can focus on childcare and provide support during his current medical condition, further underscoring the family’s financial challenges and the significance of the assistance he needs. Three months ago, Raffy began to experience troubling symptoms, including constant pain in his stomach. He was diagnosed with a gallbladder disorder, known as cholecystitis, which causes discomfort due to inflammation. Raffy has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, his symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Raffy is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on January 30th. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is requesting the remaining $1,031 to cover the cost of Raffy's surgery and care. Raffy shared, "Thank you so much to this foundation. If not for this program, I would not be able to get the operation I need. This is a big help to my family and me."

$1,031raised
Fully funded

Charles is a 15-year-old boy from Kenya. He is in the seventh grade and dreams of becoming a teacher in the future. He loves going to church, where he serves as a Sunday school teacher, and enjoys playing football and dancing during his free time. He lives with his single mother, who did all that she could to help her son. Charles was born with a clubfoot on his right leg. His foot curved inward, making walking painful and difficult. “I can’t go anywhere without the special shoe my mom bought from a local cobbler,” Charles shared shyly. His mother added, “To find proper care, we’d have to travel almost 300 miles. It became too expensive, so we stopped going.” Even with all the challenges, Charles shone in school. His intelligence and determination caught the attention of a kind stranger who decided to pay for his education. Charles said, “Some people look at me and just nod their heads and walk away. I feel bad when they do that." Fortunately, Charles traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on November 27th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Charles's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily, wear shoes, and continue with his studies uninterrupted. “As a mother, I am really looking forward to seeing my son get better and walk like other children. It has been a long journey, but I believe God will make a way for him to live a normal and happy life,” Charles's mother shared warmly.

$1,286raised
Fully funded