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Amelia M MayerUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER

Amelia's Story

Amelia joined Watsi on April 11th, 2025. One year ago, Amelia joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Amelia's most recent donation supported Kerventz, an 18-year-old from Haiti, to fund care and travel for heart surgery.

Impact

Amelia has funded healthcare for 16 patients in 8 countries.

Patients funded by Amelia

Daw Win is a 66-year-old woman from Burma who lives with her daughter, grandson, and two granddaughters in Phop Phra District, Tak Province, Thailand. In 2022, the family fled their home in Bago Division, Burma, to escape nearby conflict. Daw Win is a homemaker, and her grandchildren are students. Her daughter is a teacher and also picks up work as a day labourer during school holidays. In late December 2025, Daw Win started experiencing lower abdominal pain and pressure around the mass when sitting. She has frequent urination and cannot sit for long periods of time due to the pain, preferring to lie down on her side. She has been diagnosed with a uterine myoma. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Daw Win's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Daw Win is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on June 11th. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, this surgery will help Daw Win be free from pain and discomfort, and she will be able to spend time with her family and help with household chores comfortably. Daw Win said, "After surgery, I will return home to help with household chores and take care of my grandkids so that my daughter can go back to work full-time. Thank you so much to this organization and the donors for being willing to support my treatment.”

$995raised
$505to go

Win Swe is a 25-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his uncle, cousin, and aunt in a refugee camp in Ratchaburi Province, Thailand. His parents live in Burma, but since 2013, Win Swe has been staying with his uncle’s family for better educational opportunities. In the refugee camp, Win Swe’s aunt works as a member of the camp committee, while his uncle works as an agricultural day labourer outside of the camp. His uncle usually can only find work for about 5-8 days each month. His cousin is a medic who serves at the clinic in the camp. Previously, Win Swe used to work as a day labourer with his uncle, but due to his health condition, he cannot work anymore. They can access free basic health care inside the camp. When Win Swe was 18 years old, he started to feel tired while walking or carrying objects heavier than 20 kilograms, so he stopped going to school as he could not walk long distances. He went to the local clinic in the refugee camp, and the doctor suspected heart disease and presented his condition to the International Rescue Committee (IRC). The IRC referred him to a hospital for testing. He was diagnosed with congenital heart disease. Yet, since he was 18, he was told that he was too old to receive support from the IRC for a congenital heart condition, so he did not seek further treatment. In July 2024, Win Swe underwent an ECHO recommended by the doctor. Afterwards, the doctor diagnosed Win Swe with a ventricular septal defect (VSD) and told him that he would need surgery to repair the hole in his heart before it got any worse. Currently, Win Swe experiences fatigue, heart palpitations, rapid breathing, and sometimes chest pain after walking for even a few minutes. His symptoms have prevented him from working, leaving him feeling stressed and ashamed of having to depend on his uncle. Fortunately, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, can help. On April 10th, Win Swe will undergo heart surgery so he can live more comfortably and be able to work. He needs help raising $1,500 to fund the cost of his treatment and care. Win Swe says, "Thank you to your organization for helping me and finding the donors for me. There is no way for me to receive treatment without your support.”

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Tafach is active and cheerful six-month-old boy from Ethiopia. He lives with his parents and his older brother. His mother works as a daily laborer, washing clothes and fetching water for neighbors, while his father farms on other people’s land. Despite their hard work, they often struggle to provide for their family, facing frequent food shortages and relying on the kindness of neighbors for support. Tafach's mother first noticed something was wrong when Tafach was only four days old. He began vomiting and was unable to pass stool, prompting his concerned parents to take him to a nearby hospital. Tafach was diagnosed with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. Tafach’s mother was devastated and broke down in tears, as the family had never encountered such a condition before. However, the doctor reassured them that Tafach’s condition could be corrected through a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction and promptly referred them to a larger public hospital. At the referral hospital, Tafach underwent a colostomy to help create a temporary route for his bowel movements, and the family was given a follow-up appointment. They returned home feeling hopeful yet anxious. A few days later, a neighbor informed them about our medical partner's care center, Bethany Kids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM). Tafach’s parents reached out and took him to BKMCM for further evaluation. Tafach is now scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition on January 6th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of Tafach's procedure and care. After his recovery, Tafach will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Tafach's mother expressed hope, saying, "I pray for my child's surgery to be safe and successful, envisioning him thriving like his older brother. I aspire for him to become a dedicated student and a remarkable individual."

$1,500raised
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