Zainab SheriffUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER
Zainab's Story

Zainab joined Watsi on December 2nd, 2014. Nine years ago, Zainab joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Zainab's most recent donation traveled 5,900 miles to support Cho, a mother from Thailand, to remove a ovarian cyst.

Impact

Zainab has funded healthcare for 7 patients in 5 countries.

Patients funded by Zainab

“Vilma gets up at 5 AM every morning to weave traditional blouses, which she sells to support her family,” shares our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). Meet Vilma, a 37-year-old mother of two from Guatemala. Vilma survived the internal armed conflict—a violent civil war in Guatemala that spanned nearly 36 years. She now “participates in an all-women mental health support group, where she receives mental health education and does reenactment therapy," says WK. In between her community involvement, and working hard to support her family, Vilma also manages her diabetes. “Vilma has suffered from severe diabetes for 13 years, but recently she has taken a turn for the worse,” WK says. “She is losing weight and feels generally very weak. In the past she has been hospitalized for extremely high glucose levels, and worries she may have to go back again if she doesn’t get the insulin she needs.” “She knows that her diabetes is currently out of control,” WK explains. “But she does not have the money to afford insulin, syringes, medication, or doctor visits.” With $450 in funding, WK will provide Vilma with “the tools she needs to get her health back on track. She will avoid or recover from the devastating effects of untreated diabetes, and have a chance at a healthy long life.” “I have struggled with this disease for a long time, but feel I am getting worse,” Vilma shares. “I know what I need to do to keep myself healthy, but I just can’t afford it. I would be so happy for any help you can give, so I can get back to my work and my family.”

$450raised
Fully funded