the Shaw Family
the's Story

the joined Watsi on May 15th, 2016. 19 other people also joined Watsi on that day! the's most recent donation traveled 8,500 miles to support Augustine, a teenage boy from Kenya, for surgery to remove his brain tumor.

Impact

the has funded healthcare for 1 patient in 1 country.

Patients funded by the

Two years ago, Augustine was kicked by a donkey on the head as he was preparing to go fetch water at a long distance from their home in Kenya. He was immediately taken to the hospital. A scan was later to reveal that Augustine had some of the veins in his head blocked. Drugs were administered as his parents could not afford a more specialized treatment. All seemed well up until seven months ago when Augustine began complaining of headaches and blurred vision. He was referred to an eye clinic where a second scan revealed that Augustine had a growth in the brain. A surgery was required the soonest possible. A shunt was administered in the local hospital they went to, to reduce the increased intracranial pressure, but that did not help the situation as Augustine's sight was deteriorating fast. A friend recommended that they visit Bethany Kids, a Watsi partner hospital, for specialized treatment. Augustine is 14 years old, and is experiencing progressive visual loss, persistent headaches, vomiting and gait walking abnormalities. If not treated, Augustine is at high risk of increased intra-cranial pressure, which is likely to cause brain damage or even death. He will continue to have persistent headaches and not be able to resume schooling. Augustine is the last born in a family of five children. He is calm and collected and it is not until you move around that you notice he cannot see you. Augustine was not born blind, he has had the pleasure of seeing much and hopes that one day he will regain his sight. Augustine is meant to be in primary school class eight but he is way behind in school due to absenteeism. He aspires to be a doctor, a dream which he still has. Augustine’s parents are subsistence farmers and they sell very little of their produce which brings them a minimal income. They live in a two roomed house in Eastern Kenya. They have exhausted their savings, but they are however hopeful that they are at the right place and that their son will be well. If treated, Augustine will be relieved from risks associated with high intra-cranial pressure like brain damage or even death. Augustine will be free from the headaches, gait abnormalities and may possibly have his vision restored and have a longer and better quality of life. Augustine will also resume school and follow his dream of becoming a doctor.

$1,260raised
Fully funded