J
Jayme RodriguezUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER

Jayme's Story

Jayme joined Watsi on December 21st, 2021. Two years ago, Jayme joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Jayme's most recent donation supported Neisha, a preschooler from Haiti, to fund treatment leading up to, and following heart surgery.

Impact

Jayme has funded healthcare for 50 patients in 13 countries.

Patients funded by Jayme

Umali is a 34-year-old young man who lives with his parents in Malawi. Umali is the fourth-born in a family of five children, and works as a temporary salesman at a hardware store in town, earning a modest income that he uses not only to sustain himself but also to support his unemployed parents. Despite the financial challenges his family faces, Umali has always shouldered his responsibilities with dedication and resilience. Umali's health challenges began in 2024 when he noticed an intermittent swelling on the left side of his groin area. Concerned about the swelling and the discomfort it caused, he sought medical attention and was diagnosed with a left inguinal hernia, a condition that occurs when abdominal tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the lower abdominal muscles. He was subsequently referred to a higher facility for further management. While receiving care at the referral hospital, doctors also identified that he had haemorrhoids, in addition to the hernia. Over time, the haemorrhoids began bleeding, leaving Umali weak and increasingly worried about his health. Doctors recommended surgical intervention for both conditions, giving him hope that relief was finally within reach. Unfortunately, however, Umali had his surgery canceled several times due to scheduling constraints at the public hospital, and a lack of resources. Each hospital visit came with high costs for transport, accommodation, food, and lost working days. After spending considerable amounts of money and enduring repeated disappointments, Umali became frustrated and discouraged. His condition continued to worsen, affecting his ability to work effectively and reducing his already limited income. As the pain and discomfort intensified, he was advised to seek help at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope (PIH). Umali hesitated for months, fearing that he would not be able to afford treatment. However, when the symptoms became increasingly unbearable, Umali gathered the courage to visit PIH. Umali's diagnosis was confirmed and he has been scheduled for a haemorrhoidectomy procedure. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $917 to fund Umali's procedure, which has been scheduled for August 6th. Umali says: "The pain is too much, I am unable to focus. I have been admitted thrice at the referral hospital, but was not operated on. Kindly help me to have my surgery, so I can get better, my joy can resume, and I can continue supporting my parents. You are my last hope."

$848raised
$69to go

Chan is a 31-year-old construction worker from Cambodia. He lives in Kampong Cham province with his wife, who is a rice farmer. He has three children; his eldest child works in a garment factory, while his two younger children are still students. In his free time, Chan helps his wife in the rice fields and takes care of his children. Twenty days ago, Chan was involved in a traffic accident between a motorcycle and a car. The car ran over his foot, causing serious injury to his right foot. Several days after the accident, a local clinic amputated his 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th toes. However, he still has a degloving injury, a traumatic injury where skin and underlying soft tissues are torn away. Chan has a large open wound and experiences pain and stiffness at the site. He cannot walk and needs to use crutches to maintain balance, which has prevented him from working. When Chan learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for five hours seeking treatment. On January 16th, surgeons at CSC will perform a skin graft procedure to close the massive wound, prevent severe infection, and restore function by replacing lost skin. The treatment will reduce pain, improve wound healing, and help Chan regain the ability to walk more easily. Chan can contribute $25 to his care, but needs help to raise $558 more to fund his treatment. Chan said, "After the surgery, I hope that I will be able to walk without pain again, so I can return to my job and earn some money to support my family."

$558raised
Fully funded

Ree is an 18-year-old young woman from Burma. She lives in Mae Ramat District, Tak Province, Thailand, with her mother, father, younger brother, husband, and son. She is a homemaker and looks after her one-year-old son. Her younger brother is a student. Her mother, father, and husband are subsistence farmers. When work is slow at the farm, they also work as day labourers. On 28th February 2026, Ree, her husband, and her son were driving back home from the market in the evening on a motorbike. Suddenly, they were hit from behind by a drunk driver, and all three of them fell from the bike onto the left side of the road. Nah suffered road rash on her face and leg, and realized that she could not stand up. Her son’s head was bruised and swollen, and on the left side of her husband’s body, there was also heavy bruising. An ambulance arrived on scene and took Nah to a nearby hospital. The doctor explained that her left ankle was fractured, requiring surgery. She was referred to our medical partner's care center, Mae Sot General Hospital. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Ree will undergo surgery to reset her fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for March 7th and Ree needs to raise $1,500 to fund her procedure and care. This procedure will help Ree be able to walk and go back home to take care of her son, and she will no longer be in pain after treatment. Ree said, “I don’t even know what to say, but I feel sad. I have no idea where to look for funding for my treatment. I cannot walk and have to depend on my father for everything, and I miss my son at home.”

$1,500raised
Fully funded