C
Corinne McAfeeUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER

Corinne's Story

Corinne joined Watsi on March 12th, 2013. Three years ago, Corinne joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Corinne's most recent donation supported Baby Nardos, an eight-month-old boy from Ethiopia, to fund corrective surgery for a birth condition.

Impact

Corinne has funded healthcare for 45 patients in 12 countries.

Patients funded by Corinne

Baby Nardos is a cheerful and playful 8-month-old boy from Ethiopia. He enjoys playing with toys and spending time with other children. He lives with his parents and two older sisters. His father works as a carpenter, while his mother is a homemaker who dedicates her time to caring for the family. Baby Nardos was born with a condition called Hirschprung's disease. This is where a portion of the intestine does not have proper nerve function leaving a child with difficulty with bowel function. Doctors explained that he would need surgery but advised the family to wait until he was older and had grown enough to undergo the procedure. When Nardos was five months old, he was referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids at Myungsung Christian Medical Center (BKMCM), for specialized treatment. Although the family initially felt anxious and uncertain, they were relieved to learn that Nardos could receive the care he needed. Surgeons will remove the part of the intestine that is not working properly and reconnect the healthy intestine to restore proper bowel function. Baby Nardos is scheduled to undergo this surgery on October 25th with the help of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. The procedure and follow-up care will cost $1,500, and Baby Nardos needs your help. Baby Nardos’s father shares, “I am very happy that my son has this opportunity to receive the medical care he needs. Access to quality healthcare is very important, and I am grateful that my son has received this opportunity at BethanyKids. Thank you so much to BethanyKids and all the staff for welcoming us, supporting us, and giving our family hope. We sincerely appreciate the care and opportunity you have given our son. God bless you all.”

$1,025raised
$475to go

Samuel is a two-year-old boy from Ethiopia. His father is a manager at a security company, and his mother is a homemaker. Samuel has two older siblings, who are twins, and he is also a triplet with his brother and sister. He is an active, happy, and cheerful child, who loves playing football, solving puzzles, and playing with toys. Samuel enjoys spending time with his siblings and especially loves playing with his older brother and sister. Though his parents are overjoyed to have their children, experiencing two multiple pregnancies in a row has made their situation financially challenging. Even with these challenges, the family always cares for each other with love and support, and Samuel’s parents have strived to give their children the best health care possible. Shortly after birth, Samuel was diagnosed with hypospadias, a condition that can cause urinary dysfunction. Because Samuel and his siblings were born prematurely at seven months, his referral to a specialist was delayed until his condition stabilized. Once he had recovered, Samuel was evaluated by a doctor who confirmed that he needed surgery. Unfortunately, his brother required urgent treatment for epilepsy, which took priority. Samuel was subsequently placed on a waitlist for surgery. Though the family has received some financial support from their church and kind community members, it is not possible for them to afford even more medical treatment. Thankfully, after months of waiting, Samuel’s mother received a call informing her that he had been referred for free treatment through a partnership program. When the family arrived at our partner’s medical care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre, they were overwhelmed with happiness because they had never experienced such compassionate care before. Samuel is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on May 25th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Samuel’s mother shares, “I am so happy. Thank you so much. God bless you all. I did not expect this kind of treatment. Thank you to all the staff for welcoming me so kindly.”

$1,293raised
Fully funded

Eh is a 14-year-old girl from Burma who lives in an internally displaced persons camp in Karenni State with her sister’s family. She attends school there, where her sister works as a teacher, and her family relies on her brother-in-law’s work to meet their basic needs. Eh’s health challenges began in October 2025, when she developed persistent skin irritation and loss of appetite. At a local clinic, a physician identified signs of jaundice, including yellowing of her skin and eyes, and referred her for further care. Eh’s brother-in-law took her to a hospital at the end of January 2026, where she was diagnosed with a large cyst in her liver. Her doctor explained that the cyst is putting pressure on her liver and causing her symptoms, and that surgery is needed to remove it. Today, Eh continues to experience jaundice, skin irritation, and occasional headaches and stomach pain. Eh sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. She is now scheduled to undergo surgery on March 24th to remove the cyst. Eh's family is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. This procedure will relieve the pressure on Eh's liver and help resolve her symptoms, allowing her to return to her daily life. Eh's brother-in-law says, “I consider Eh as my own daughter, as she has been living with me for six years, and I feel bad for her that she has to suffer from this disease. I also worry for my wife and my son, who are living in the camp while I accompany her [Eh] for her treatment. Thank you to all the organizations that support us with her treatment.”

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Bridgit is a little girl from Kenya. She is the youngest of her three siblings and is from Nairekia Ngale village in Narok County. Bridgit has clubfoot in both her feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Though young, Bridgit's journey has already been marked by pain and rejection. When Bridgit was two years old, her father left the family, unable to accept her disability. This left Bridgit's mum not only heartbroken, but also burdened with the full responsibility of providing for her children. With no stable income, she began working on other people’s farms to earn a small wage. The work is exhausting and unpredictable, but she perseveres each day for the sake of her children. There were moments of uncertainty, yet Bridgit's mum chose not to give up. Instead, she gathered strength and pressed on with faith. Hope came unexpectedly. One day, as Bridgit was playing in the village, church elders noticed her condition and felt compelled to help. They invited her mum to church and shared about the services offered at CURE International. Moved by her situation, the church congregation contributed funds for transport and ensured that Bridgit could travel for a medical review. At CURE Children's Hospital of Kenya, doctors assessed Bridgit and enrolled her in serial casting as preparation for corrective surgery. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital, will perform clubfoot repair surgery for Bridgit on March 2nd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Bridgit's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk, run, and play without difficulty. She will have the chance to join school and build friendships confidently. Her restored mobility will not only change her physical life, but also rebuild her self-esteem. “I am looking forward to seeing my child healed. When she gets better, I will give 10% to God as a thanksgiving offering,” Bridgit's mum told us.

$1,286raised
Fully funded

Devan is a five-year-old boy whose family hails from Elgeyo Marakwet County in Kenya. Devan lives with his aunt, who has been his primary caregiver since he was two years old. His aunt shared that Devan is the second-born child of her brother, and during Devan's early childhood, he and his sibling experienced significant neglect. Their parents were constantly in conflict and eventually separated, during which time the children were reportedly left without adequate food and care. This is when Devan's aunt chose to adopt and take responsibility for the two children. Devan's aunt is a single mother who separated from her husband about ten years ago. She has three biological children of her own and is now raising a total of five children. After leaving her marital home, she relocated to her maternal village, where she lives in a small rented house. To support her household, she earns a small income by washing clothes for neighbors. Despite her efforts, she reports that life has been extremely difficult, and meeting basic needs remains a daily struggle. Devan is currently enrolled in PP2 at a local school. While at school one day, he slipped and fell, sustaining an injury to his hand. He was initially taken to a nearby health facility; however, due to limited equipment and capacity, he was referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kapsowar Hospital. Upon arrival, Devan’s hand was swollen, painful, and he was unable to use the affected limb. An X-ray done showing a fracture of the upper arm bone. An orthopedic surgeon has recommended an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedure for proper management of the fracture. Devan's aunt, however, has no financial capacity to meet the cost of the required surgical procedure and associated hospital bills. She is therefore requesting financial support to enable Devan to receive the necessary treatment. Presently, it is difficult for him to use his hand, and he is in pain Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On January 19th, Devan will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. The procedure will alleviate his pain and treat his condition. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $861 to fund this procedure. Devan's aunt says, "My nephew just had a fall, I didn't know it would come to a point when he would need surgery. Please help him so that when he fully recovers, he can go back to school."

$861raised
Fully funded

Catherine is a 37-year-old mother of five children in Kenya. Her husband, the family's sole breadwinner, runs a small electronics repair shop. His income supports the family's basic needs and the children's education. Catherine was in good health until four months ago, when she began experiencing persistent headaches that did not subside. She initially took pain medication, but when the pain failed to improve, she sought medical attention. Further medical scans revealed a brain tumor accompanied by fluid buildup, which was responsible for her severe and continuous migraines. Two months later, Catherine’s condition had significantly worsened. She was no longer able to walk independently, and her body gradually became paralyzed. She lost the ability to speak and is now confined to a chair, fully dependent on her husband and children for feeding and movement from one place to another. She underwent a surgical procedure to drain the fluid from her brain and was later referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital this month, for specialized care. Catherine now urgently requires a craniotomy to resect the brain tumor to prevent further neurological damage and deterioration of her condition. Since the onset of her illness in August, the family has endured immense emotional and financial strain. Despite multiple treatments, Catherine has not shown significant improvement. Her health insurance coverage has been exhausted, and the family is unable to raise the funds required for the surgery. Catherine’s family is seeking support to enable her to undergo the needed surgery and begin her journey toward recovery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Catherine receive treatment. On October 18th, she will undergo a craniotomy at AIC Kijabe Hospital. Now, Catherine's family needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Catherine’s daughter says, “Watching our mum go through this has been incredibly painful. We are doing everything we can for her and hold on to hope that she will recover.”

$1,500raised
Fully funded