United States
Kristi's Story

Kristi joined Watsi on August 7th, 2015. Five years ago, Kristi joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Kristi's most recent donation traveled 8,200 miles to support Jessie, a former driver from the Philippines, to fund hernia repair surgery.

Team
Impact

Kristi has funded healthcare for 65 patients in 11 countries.

Patients funded by Kristi

Khan is a 37-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband and two sons in Phop Phra District, Tak Province, Thailand. She and her husband both work as agricultural day laborers. However, due to a recent accident, Khan is currently unable to work. As a result of the financial constraints caused by the loss of Khan's income, neither child can attend school, and the older child stays home to take care of his brother and the household chores. On July 1st, while walking in heavy rain to ask an employer for work, Khan slipped and fell. She used her left arm to push herself off the ground, and immediately felt severe pain. Because her arm wasn't swollen, and she desperately needed to keep working to support her family, Khan did not go to the hospital. Instead, she applied sesame oil as a traditional remedy. When her condition did not improve, Khan realized that she could no longer continue with things as they were. On July 21st, Khan borrowed money and went to a clinic, where an X-ray revealed a closed fracture in the left shaft of her radius. Khan’s arm is currently held in a bandage and remains slightly swollen. Her pain is managed by medication, but she experiences sharp pain if she tries to stretch or move it. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Khan will undergo surgery to reset her fractured bones, which should ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for August 10th at Mae Sot Hospital, and will cost $1,500. This procedure will help Khan to be able to use her left arm and to return to work. Khan is seeking your help to fund her procedure. Khan said, “Thank you for your support. If not for your organization and the donor, I would stay like this forever.”

$1,139raised
$361to go

Tennyson is a playful 11-year-old boy from Kenya. He is currently in grade 3 and loves drawing and playing with friends. His father is a construction worker, while his mother is a home maker. Tennyson has clubfoot of right foot, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. Tennyson was also born with a hearing impairment. His mother first noticed that his right foot was bending when he was three years old. “He struggled to walk and would often complain of pain, and as he grew, it only got worse,” she recalls. They sought help at a nearby hospital but were informed that the condition could not be treated there. With no clear solution, they returned home. As time passed, the condition worsened. The pain increased, Tennyson's foot began to swell, and walking became more difficult. Eventually, Tennyson had to stop going to school because he could no longer walk. One of his teachers grew concerned and reached out to the family. After learning about Tennyson’s condition, the teacher informed his mother about a mobile clinic by AIC CURE Hospital, where Tennyson could undergo a review. At the clinic, Tennyson was assessed and scheduled for serial casting and a clubfoot surgery. He has been undergoing the casting and is now ready for the repair surgery, which has been scheduled for May 25th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Tennyson's clubfoot repair. After treatment, his foot will gradually straighten and restore his ability to walk. Tennyson's mother says: “I am praying that his foot will be straightened, so that he can walk without pain, go back to school, and live like other children.”

$1,286raised
Fully funded

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.”

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Michael is a 10-year-old student from Kenya. When his mother was pregnant with him, she went through a very hard time. She had married into a different tribe, and this brought her a lot of pain. “I was rejected because I was seen as a foreigner,” she said quietly. “This made my pregnancy very difficult. Then my only son was born with clubfoot, and life felt too heavy to bear.” Clubfoot is a condition where one or both feet turn inward, affecting the bones and muscles. Michael lived with this condition on both of his feet for almost ten years without treatment. As he grew older, walking became painful and tiring. “My feet are very sensitive,” Michael said. “I cannot walk without my slip-on shoes. I want to walk fast or even run, but I cannot.” Many times, he leaned on walls for support while watching other children walk and play freely. His mother's pain grew deeper when her in-laws rejected her and her husband, saying their child was cursed. Michael’s father supported them at that time. But after everything they went through, they stopped looking for treatment, and Michael grew up with the condition. Even so, they still hoped that one day things would change. In 2025, that hope came back when they moved to a new village. A neighbor told Michael's mom about CURE Children’s Hospital of Kenya. Fortunately, Michael traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. At the clinic, the doctors examined Michael and quickly scheduled him for surgery. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on March 25th. While Michael is scheduled for surgery, his family cannot afford it. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Michael's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily and attend school without disruptions. "I am looking forward to getting better so that I can continue with my studies and engage with my friends in playing football," Michael told us.

$1,286raised
Fully funded

Reyan is a lively 17-month-old boy from Ethiopia. He finds joy in playing with anything he can get his hands on, especially alongside his siblings. He lives in Addis Ababa with his parents, two older sisters, and a brother. His mother is a devoted homemaker, while his father sells fruits and vegetables. As the sole breadwinner, his father’s income is limited, providing just enough for their daily needs. If he doesn’t work, the family struggles to put food on the table, making it difficult to meet their children’s basic needs. Reyan was born with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. Earlier on, his parents noticed something unusual, but did not realize it was a medical condition. The issue became clearer when they attempted to have him circumcised. The doctor advised them to wait until Reyan was three months old to allow proper skin development. Subsequent visits to another clinic revealed something was not right, leading to a referral to a specialized hospital. Reyan's parents began attending follow up clinics at the referral hospital when he was just three months old. His mother was worried, knowing her son needed surgery to correct the condition. She prayed fervently for help, but the long waiting list delayed the necessary procedure. She anxiously awaited the day when he could receive surgery and live a healthier life. Without treatment, Reyan will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and be at risk of future complications. Eventually, a pivotal moment came: Reyan’s mother received a call from the referral hospital about care at our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM). Overjoyed, she felt her prayers had been answered, and they eagerly made their way to BKMCM. Upon arrival, Reyan’s mother was impressed with the quality of care they received. Reyan is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on December 9th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Reyan's mother expressed her heartfelt gratitude, saying, "We feel truly fortunate to receive this support. I waited over a year for my son's surgery, constantly wondering when it would happen. But, thanks to God's plan, we've finally been given this chance."

$1,293raised
Fully funded