S
Silvio ClausenUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER

Finland
Silvio's Story

Silvio joined Watsi on August 24th, 2015. Four years ago, Silvio joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Silvio's most recent donation traveled 3,700 miles to support Baby Desta, a seven-month-old girl from Ethiopia, to fund surgery to correct a birth condition.

Impact

Silvio has funded healthcare for 90 patients in 14 countries.

Patients funded by Silvio

Baby Desta is a seven-month-old girl who lives in Ethiopia with her parents and two older brothers. She is active, cheerful, and loves smiling. Her father works as a daily laborer, while her mother is a homemaker. Despite limited income, her parents remain committed to fulfilling their children’s needs. Baby Desta was born with a condition called Hirschprung's disease. This is where a portion of the intestine does not have proper nerve function, causing bowel dysfunction. When she was about two weeks old, Baby Desta’s abdomen started to swell, prompting her mother to bring her to a health center. At the health center, the family was referred to a higher-level hospital. Baby Desta was admitted to the hospital, and doctors advised that she would require surgery to remove the affected part of the bowel, or she would continue to have symptoms and be at risk of serious complications. This greatly concerned her parents, who worried they could not afford treatment. Thankfully, after a long and stressful journey through multiple health facilities, the family was referred to our medical partner’s care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre. Baby Desta will undergo surgery on November 2nd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of the procedure and related medical care. Baby Desta’s mother shared, “Thank you so much to everyone. May God protect you in your work and continue to bless you as you help others. Thank you for your kindness and support.”

$412raised
$1,088to go

Robinas is an intelligent 11-year-old boy who lives in Ethiopia with his parents and cousin. His father is a teacher who works hard to provide for the family, while his mother has been living with a chronic illness that has kept her at home for several years. Despite these challenges, his parents have remained committed to supporting both his education and his health. Robinas is on a full scholarship at a private school, where he consistently ranks among the top students in his class. His dedication and hard work have earned him several medals in recognition of his outstanding academic performance. Outside the classroom, he enjoys playing football, reading books, and spending time with his cousin. Robinas was born with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. Although his parents noticed the condition at birth, they were advised to delay surgery until he was older, as the procedure would be safer once he had developed further. Over the years, the family visited several hospitals but were consistently told to wait. Eventually, doctors at a private hospital confirmed that Robinas was eligible for surgery; however, the cost was beyond the family’s financial means. They were then referred to a public hospital, where they faced a long waiting list. This prolonged waiting period has been emotionally difficult for the family, especially as Robinas has begun asking his father why he is different from other boys. After six months, the family finally received wonderful news. They were informed that Robinas had been referred for surgery at our partner’s medical care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM). Robinas is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on June 29th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Robinas’s father shared, “Thank you so much for BethanyKids’s help with the children and for supporting my son. I feel terrible when I’m unable to afford that surgery, but the support means so much to us. Thank you again, God bless you all.”

$1,293raised
Fully funded

Markon is a spirited young boy, full of life and energy from Ethiopia. He enjoys playing with his father, engaging with his surroundings, and sharing joyful moments with his brother and family. Living in a modest iron-sheet house, Markon’s family consists of his hardworking father, a daily laborer in home finishing, and his caring mother, a devoted housewife. Together, they navigate the challenges of life with their four children, three sons and a daughter. However, their lives took a difficult turn when Markon’s mother fell gravely ill, forcing the family to sacrifice their home to fund her treatment. Their financial situation became increasingly precarious, and the burden weighed heavily on his father, especially after Markon’s mother lost her eyesight due to her illness. Despite these hardships, Markon’s father persevered, striving to provide for his family’s needs as best he could. Over a year ago, Markon started to complain about discomfort around a sensitive area in his body. Concerned, his parents took him to a local health center, where he was referred to a specialized hospital. Markon was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. He needs surgery to reduce his risks of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Markon will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on February 20th and AMH is requesting $754 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Markon’s father expressed, "I hope for my child to receive the best possible care and lead a joyful life. I am deeply grateful to the staff at BKMCM and to all the generous donors who support children like my son. Helping these children is truly a blessing, and I believe that through this support, they will be empowered to flourish and thrive."

$754raised
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