Charles FranckUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER

Architect | Photographer | Traveler | Graphic Designer

United States   •   http://www.budfranck.com   •   September 2nd   •   Miró Rivera Architects
Charles' Story

Charles joined Watsi on August 8th, 2013. Ten years ago, Charles joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Charles' most recent donation traveled 1,900 miles to support Rosalinda, a student from Haiti, to fund treatment leading up to, and following heart surgery.

Impact

Charles has funded healthcare for 159 patients in 13 countries.

Patients funded by Charles

Pobit Dev is a 7-year-old boy from India. He hails from West Bengal and lives with his parents as an only child. His father works as a farmer, and his mother as a homemaker. Pobit is currently attending school in the 2nd grade. He enjoys eating and loves riding his bicycle. When he was five, Pobit Dev suffered burn injuries after falling on an open fire while playing with friends. He developed severe skin contractures affecting his right hand, left arm, elbow, forearm, and thumb, as well as his right cheek and presternal area. He is experiencing significant pain, and his daily life has been seriously impacted by the injuries. Despite two treatments in his home state, he was referred to Watsi's medical partner, G.S. Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital and Trauma Center, for more advanced care. The initial focus will be on treating his hand and forearm first. These contractures restrict his hand movements and prevent him from doing activities he enjoys, also affecting his education. Pobit Dev has travelled more than 12 hours with his family to seek treatment at our partner's care center. On August 11th, specialty surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery to address his most pressing pain and discomfort. The treatment will help him regain his mobility, allowing him once again to play with his friends, ride bicycles, and continue his education. He needs help raising $1,442 to fund his treatment and care. Pobit Dev's mother shared, "I am hopeful about his treatment, and I just want him to be okay."

$1,442raised
Fully funded

Gideon is a 10-year-old boy from Kenya, and the fifth-born in a family of seven children. Gideon’s parents first noticed a problem with his leg when he was only two months old. As he got older, it became evident that he was not developing like other children. Gideon was later diagnosed with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, a condition that affects movement on one side of the body and makes walking difficult. Because of this condition, Gideon has faced many challenges. Although he is 10 years old, he is currently a Grade 1 pupil, whereas he should be in Grade 4. Difficulty in mobility has delayed his education, and limited his ability to play and move freely like other children. Despite these challenges, Gideon is a calm and hopeful child who longs to walk well and enjoy school like his peers. His father works as a herder, while his mother is a housewife who takes care of the family. Gideon’s parents have remained supportive and continue to hope for a better future for their son. His father shared his heartfelt wish, saying, “I want my child’s legs to be treated so that he can walk well like other children.” Gideon has clubfoot of right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Gideon traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on January 6th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Gideon's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will improve his mobility, regain confidence, and continue his education without limitations. “I work hard as a herder, and my greatest hope is that this treatment will help Gideon walk better and go on with his schooling.” Gideon's father said.

$1,286raised
Fully funded

Wien is an 11-year-old boy from South Sudan, whose family struggles to make ends meet. His parents depend on farming to provide for their four children, and they can barely cover their basic needs. Of their four children, only one is enrolled in school. Wien, who is now 11 years old, has not had the chance to attend school because of the family’s financial challenges. In early November 2025, Wien was playing with friends when he slipped and fell, injuring his right arm. The pain was so intense that he couldn’t move his arm at all, and he was rushed to a nearby hospital. Initial scans revealed that part of his arm was broken, and he would need surgery to repair it. Wien comes from a rural part of South Sudan, where local health facilities provide only basic first aid and lack the resources for specialized care, such as surgery. As a result, Wien's arm was bandaged, and he was sent home in excruciating pain. Unable to use his arm, Wien became entirely dependent on others for daily tasks; someone had to bathe him and help him dress. This was especially difficult for Wien, who is almost a teenager, already self-conscious about his growing independence. Due to the lack of specialized care in their area, Wien’s parents couldn’t afford the treatment he needed, and without intervention, Wien risked losing the full use of his right arm, potentially remaining handicapped for life. Thankfully, in December 2025, Wien was able to travel to our facility with the help of well-wishers. After a thorough examination, doctors confirmed that he required a fracture repair surgery. Unfortunately, the cost of the surgery remains out of reach for his family, who are seeking support so he can undergo the surgery Wien needs. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Wien receive treatment. On December 11th, he will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help relieve his pain, repair the fracture, and restore functionality to his arm. Now, Wien's family needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Wien says, “I have to rely on someone to help me bathe and get dressed, and my hand is especially painful at night.”

$1,500raised
Fully funded