M
Matt OstanikUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER

Matt's Story

Matt joined Watsi on May 9th, 2024. Two years ago, Matt joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Matt's most recent donation supported Neisha, a preschooler from Haiti, to fund treatment leading up to, and following heart surgery.

Impact

Matt has funded healthcare for 30 patients in 11 countries.

Patients funded by Matt

Neisha is a three-year-old preschooler from Haiti. She is the first born child in her family, and lives with her parents in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. She likes coloring with crayons and going to church with her mother. Neisha has a cardiac condition called a ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart; blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak and short of breath. Neisha needs to fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On October 15th, she will undergo heart surgery, during which surgeons will sew a patch over the hole so that blood no longer leaks through it. Another organization is contributing money to pay for surgery. Neisha's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $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 Neisha's family overseas. Neisha's mother says, "I have been so worried and scared about my daughter's health, and am so happy that her heart can finally be fixed!"

$979raised
$521to go

Maurine is a 36-year-old widowed mother of two children. In 2022, she experienced a sudden and unexpected change that would alter her life. Without warning, she lost the ability to hear. At first, Maurine struggled to understand what was happening. Simple conversations became difficult, and communicating with her children was no longer easy. She could not hear when they spoke to her, and responding to their needs became increasingly challenging. In December 2022, she went to AIC Kijabe Hospital for a medical review. After assessment, the doctors recommended hearing aids to help her regain the ability to hear and communicate. A well-wisher paid for one hearing aid, which made communication easier, including with her children. Sadly, in 2025, the hearing aid stopped working. Gradually, Maurine began withdrawing from those close to her. She works as a house help, but her hearing loss also began to affect her ability to earn a living. In January this year, she returned to the hospital, where she was advised to obtain new hearing aids, but the cost was far beyond what she could afford. Still hoping for a solution, she returned to hospital in August, hoping she would find help. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping her find treatment. On Sept 9th, Maurine will be fitted with hearing aids. For Maurine, this would mean much more than the ability to hear sounds again. It would mean being able to communicate with her children. It would mean understanding her employer, and it would mean reconnecting with family and friends, regaining her confidence, and no longer living in isolation. Now, Maurine needs help to fund this $1,171 procedure. She says: “I wish to hear again, so I can communicate more confidently with my family and friends."

$946raised
$225to go

Deborah is a 27-year-old mother of two from Kenya. Her husband is a small-scale farmer, while she stays home to manage their household and care for their children. When Deborah was two years old, she lost her hearing. She had an ear infection, underwent treatment and surgeries, but her hearing was never restored. When she was seven years old, she received hearing aids donated by missionaries. Unfortunately, she misplaced one of the hearing aids and was never able to recover it. She relied on the remaining hearing aid throughout her primary school education. Over time, her only hearing aid stopped working, leaving her with profound hearing loss. Since then, Deborah has withdrawn from social interactions, often choosing to remain at home because communicating with others has become extremely difficult. She is unable to help her children as they begin learning and growing, something that deeply saddens her. On July 8th, Deborah will be fitted with hearing aids, and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is seeking assistance in raising $1,171. This will allow her to reconnect with her family, regain her independence, and improve her quality of life. Deborah says, "I can't help my son with his homework, and it breaks my heart to feel left out of my children's lives."

$766raised
$405to go

Filisitiya is 47 years old and a mother of five from Malawi. Her husband takes on casual jobs as a builder, while she molds clay pots for a living. Seven months ago, Filisitiya started to experience pain and abnormal bleeding. She has been diagnosed with uterine fibroids and needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Her symptoms affect her ability to perform her daily tasks and her work. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,363 to fund Filisitiya's surgery. On June 8th, she will undergo gynaecological surgery at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center. Once recovered, Filisitiya will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Filisitiya shared, "Concentration on my business is now poor, hence, reduced my monthly income; Your support will help me get better and care for my children better."

$857raised
$506to go

Agustin is a 61-year-old man from the Philippines. He worked in a condominium building, painting, repairing, and handling overall maintenance. His pay was modest, but it helped support his family. Agustin retired in August 2024 due to age and health. His wife runs a small peanut business, and their son helps support them. Agustin noticed a mass on his jaw. He was worried it might grow larger and cause problems in the future. Doctors recommend that he undergo a parotidectomy, surgery to remove all or part of the parotid gland. This procedure treats tumors and other conditions that affect your parotid gland. Our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, is helping Agustin undergo surgery on March 11th. He needs help raising $1,500 to fund his procedure and care. Agustin shared, "I am truly grateful for this operation. It saves me from the heavy burden of borrowing money and worrying about expenses, like what happened when my brother passed away. With this support from Watsi and the donors, I can focus on healing and look forward to more time with my family, free from financial stress."

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Eyobel is a two-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He is very active, loves playing, and is also very sociable. He is a happy child who enjoys being around people, and he especially loves football. His mother is a homemaker, while his father works as a driver to support and care for the family. Eyobel 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, Eyobel is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on May 7th at our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Eyobel’s mother said, “Thanks to God for this opportunity. Thank you to Bethany Kids and everyone who supported us. I am very grateful for the chance to receive this treatment. I hope my baby will be okay during the surgery.”

$1,293raised
Fully funded

Ra is a 68-year-old man from Siem Reap province in Cambodia. He and his wife have two children. His wife sells biscuits, their eldest child is a grocery seller, and their youngest is a car repairer. In his free time, Ra helps his wife with household and work-related tasks. In 2019, Ra began experiencing pain in his right hip due to avascular necrosis, a condition in which bone tissue dies due to a lack of blood supply, which caused a structural failure of his hip ball joint. Ra underwent a total hip replacement through our medical partner, Children's Surgical Center (CSC), at that time. However, over the past year, his pain has returned, and walking has become difficult. His x-ray showed that some of the acetabular cup and femoral stem (components from his hip replacement surgery) have come loose, leaving him unable to walk comfortably or perform daily activities. Ra was referred back to CSC for treatment. On April 8th, he will undergo a revision hip replacement procedure on his right hip. This surgery will stabilize the hip, relieve his pain, and restore his mobility. Ra was able to contribute $100 to his care and is requesting assistance to raise the remaining $1,400 to cover the cost of prosthesis, surgery, medications, post-operative care, and rehabilitation. Roth said, "I had a hip replacement in 2019, but over the past year, the pain has returned, and it's become difficult for me to walk. I hope further treatment will fix the problem and help me move comfortably again."

$1,400raised
Fully funded

Modester is a small-scale farmer from Malawi. She is married with five children and comes from rural Dedza, about 86.9 km from Lilongwe. She never attended school. Since 2025, Modester has been experiencing uncomfortable gynecological symptoms. Hospital assessments confirmed uterine fibroids. Despite various medications and a tubal ligation in 2015, her symptoms persisted. She managed for some years, but in September 2025, the symptoms returned, this time with severe lower abdominal pain, backache, and extreme weakness. Her condition has greatly affected her ability to work, reducing the income she relies on for her family. She was referred to our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center (PIH), for possible surgical support. She has been diagnosed with uterine fibroids and needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,363 to fund Modester's surgery. On March 7th, she will undergo gynecological surgery, and once recovered, Modester will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. "This condition has threatened my life. The good news is that PIH can help me, and I am here today seeking support. Kindly help me," Modester pleaded during the assessment.

$1,363raised
Fully funded

Nancy is a three-year-old girl from Kenya. She has undergone multiple procedures across different specialties, including pediatric surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, and orthopedic care. Each surgery was a step toward healing, yet each also took a heavy toll on her young body and spirit. Anxiety and fear make the hospital visits deeply distressing for her. Meanwhile, her father, the sole provider for the family, lost his job following a motorbike accident and has been unable to return to work. The emotional toll on Nancy’s parents has been overwhelming. Her father's greatest wish is simple and heartfelt: he longs to see his daughter healed, free from frequent hospital visits, and able to live a normal childhood filled with play, laughter, and possibility. Following five previous procedures, Nancy now requires a colostomy reversal surgery in order to restore bowel function and prevent future complications. It is the next step in her journey toward healing and normalcy. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,020 to cover the cost of a colostomy closure for Nancy. The surgery is scheduled to take place on February 5th. Once completed, Nancy should be able to live more comfortably and confidently. Nancy’s father shared, "I never imagined my three-year-old would know so much pain. As a father, all I want is for Nancy to get well, stop coming back to the hospital so often, and live a normal, happy life."

$1,020raised
Fully funded

Recho is a 26-year-old woman from Kenya. She has a long history of epilepsy, diagnosed when she was much younger. Her condition disrupted her education and ability to work despite early academic promise and later vocational training in tailoring. She lives with her single mother and younger siblings, who are deeply supportive and assist her with daily activities and hospital visits. She enjoys helping with household tasks such as washing utensils and clothes, and she often speaks with humor and optimism about her daily life. In December 2025, Recho suffered a seizure while carrying hot tea to her siblings, resulting in serious burns to her chest and hand and a prolonged hospital stay requiring ongoing wound care and a planned skin graft. The extended treatment has placed a heavy financial burden on her family, prompting a request for assistance with medical expenses. Fortunately, on January 7th, Recho will undergo a skin graft procedure with the help of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. She needs help to raise $1,183 to fund her procedure and care. Recho says, "I have been in the ward for a long time, and my hope is go home and be with my family members. I miss my sisters and my family."

$1,183raised
Fully funded

Nee is a 29-year-old woman who lives with her husband and two sons in a refugee camp in Mae Sot Province, Thailand. The family is from Burma, but had to move to the refugee camp in 2023 after a military airstrike on their village. Nee is a homemaker and her husband is an agricultural day laborer. During her free time, she enjoys listening to stories and songs on her phone, and playing with her children. Nee is currently expecting her third child and is nearing her due date. She has been receiving free basic healthcare in the refugee camp, and recently, the doctors informed her that her baby is in a frank beech position. They recommend that Nee deliver via caesarean section to ensure the safety of both her and her child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Nee undergo a C-Section on December 8th at our medical partner's care center, Tha Song Yang Hospital. This procedure will cost $1,500, and Nee needs your support. Nee shared, “When I learned I needed surgery, I started to worry about money. My family cannot afford the surgery cost, even our daily expenses is not enough. I do not have any relative that I can rely on, so I feel stressed. Now, knowing that I can receive support, I am happy. Thank you so much for helping me.”

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Helen is a 63-year-old woman from the Philippines. She lives with her daughter and grandchildren. Helen noticed a small lump on the left side of her face. At first, she didn’t think much of it because it wasn’t painful, and it didn’t really bother her. She hoped it would go away on its own. However, over time, the lump gradually grew larger and became more noticeable. She began to worry, especially since it was close to her ear and jaw, and it was affecting her appearance and overall well-being. Her family is worried that it could cause other problems in the future. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, can help. On November 8th, Helen will undergo mass removal surgery. Now, she needs help to raise $1,500 to fund her procedure and care. Helen says, "This help brought me a sense of relief and renewed hope for me and my family. Thank you so much to everyone who strengthened my determination to undergo the procedure and showed their love and support for me."

$1,500raised
Fully funded