Pavel Bitz
Pavel's Story

Pavel joined Watsi on March 5th, 2014. 8 other people also joined Watsi on that day! Pavel's most recent donation traveled 8,800 miles to support Thy, a cleaner from Cambodia, to fund eye surgery.

Impact

Pavel has funded healthcare for 12 patients in 7 countries.

Patients funded by Pavel

Since her birth two months ago, Melany has been growing too slowly. Her mother has been unable to produce sufficient breast milk to nourish Melany. Lactation failure can lead to starvation and dehydration, as well as provoke electrolyte imbalances that can cause seizures. Brain development occurring during this delicate time can also be compromised, putting Melany at risk of long-term damage. To stabilize her condition, Melany was given a preliminary supply of formula. This will last until the nutritionist at our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, can create a nutritional plan and formally begin treatment. Melany lives with her parents and three siblings in rural Guatemala. Her father works driving cars and trucks, and her mother takes care of the home. Her parents do not have the financial resources to pay for the baby formula that Melany needs. Her family’s limited resources put treatment for Melany outside of economic reach. Watsi is asking for $1,107 to fund Melany's treatment, which will begin on January 30. Your donation will help supply Melany's mother with baby formula and health education, which will ensure Melany receives the calories she needs to grow and thrive. One-on-one education with Melany’s mother will teach her the signs of malnutrition and other illnesses, as well as how to create a nutritious, inexpensive diet for Melany. Melany’s immune system will strengthen, and she will grow to be a healthy, energetic baby. "We want Melany to become a nurse," say Melany's parents, "so that she can help others just as she is being helped."

$1,107raised
Fully funded

Angela is a 44-year-old mother of six children who lives in the Philippines. Seven years ago, Angela began tiring easily when doing household chores and would sometimes not finish her tasks for the day because she would need to stop and rest multiple times. She also began feeling nervous and having difficulty sleeping at night due to discomfort. To support the family, Angela's eldest son works as a fisherman and gives his mother money every month. His income is necessary to provide for their daily needs, as Angela's husband leaves only enough money to cover a month's worth of expenses when he goes away for five months of the year. Angela cannot work as she has to take care of her children, and she tries hard to keep them in school. Recently, Angela was visited by her family's pastor and a friend who is a part of our sponsored community to discuss a program to help her family elevate their economic status. During the second week of the program, Angela underwent a medical screening and was diagnosed with thyroiditis, a condition involving inflammation of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate the body's metabolism. When the gland is inflamed, thyroid hormone production can decrease, leading to fatigue. After completing blood tests, Angela was cleared to undergo surgery to remove her thyroid so that her condition would not progress. $1,500 covers the cost of Angela's surgery, transportation to and from the hospital, 10 days of hospital care—including medicine, imaging, and additional blood tests—and medication to take after she goes home. Angela looks forward to having more strength to take care of her family. "I would like to be healed and become better to serve my children and family and have quality time with them," she shares. "I want to be effective as a mother and friend to them. Thank you for your kind hearts."

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Two-month-old Gregorio lives with his parents and older sibling in Guatemala. “Gregorio is acutely malnourished due to his mother's lack of breast milk,” our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), tells us. “His mother is not able to produce enough breast milk for him to survive, meaning that he weighs even less than when he was born.” While Gregorio’s mother takes care of the children during the day, his father leaves their home early every morning to chop wood on the mountain and sell it in town. Despite the long hours of hard work, his father earns very little money and can afford only very basic foods like tortillas. As a result, the family is unable to buy formula for Gregorio. “Gregorio’s mother has been supplementing the little milk she makes with water, which depletes Gregorio’s electrolytes and puts him at risk of seizures and permanent brain damage,” WK continues. The inability to produce breast milk—known as lactational failure—is a serious condition for a newborn baby without access to formula. Fortunately, treatment for Gregorio is possible. “Formula will give Gregorio the nutrients, calories, and protein he needs to grow,” WK explains, “His mother will receive one-on-one motivational nutrition education to prepare her to give him solid foods and teach her how to prevent future malnutrition.” $1,016 pays for a one year’s supply of formula and six months of micronutrient support for Gregorio. Funding also covers the cost of a case manager and a nutritionist to help Gregorio’s mother coordinate his care, plan his meals, and monitor his progress. With treatment, “Gregorio's immune system will grow stronger, saving his life and helping his family to be much less stressed economically,” says WK.

$1,016raised
Fully funded