Carolyn Clarke
Carolyn's Story

Carolyn joined Watsi on March 12th, 2013. 1,770 other people also joined Watsi on that day! Carolyn's most recent donation traveled 6,900 miles to support Su, a 12-year-old boy from Burma, to fund a CT scan.

Impact

Carolyn has funded healthcare for 224 patients in 18 countries.

Patients funded by Carolyn

Su is a 12-year-old boy from Burma who lives in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp with his family. Su had to discontinue his studies while in fourth-grade, and his family was forced to leave their home because of the conflict in Burma. Su’s grandparents are his primary caregivers as his parents divorced, got remarried and moved away. His half-brother, uncle, aunt, and infant cousin also live with the family. Su’s grandmother and aunt take care of their home, while his grandfather, uncle and half-brother work as day laborers. Su initially noticed signs of his condition in January, when he felt pain on the left side of his mouth, and had a slight swelling on the left side of his face. One month later, he was taken to the clinic by his aunt, where it was discovered that he had three cavities on the left side of his mouth. The doctors removed the decayed tooth on the top jaw but left the lower two as the swelling was significant. Su stayed in hospital for one week to recover, while receiving antibiotics. He was released from the clinic once the pain and swelling had decreased, but shortly after, the symptoms resurfaced, more intense than before. Presently, the left side of Su’s face is significantly swollen, and he feels acute pain. He has difficulty eating and can only chew from the right side of his mouth. He cannot lay down on the left side due to the swelling and pain, which gets worse at night. Su also feels pain in his neck when he drinks or swallows food. Su needs to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which X-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. This will help doctors diagnose his condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Su's family is however unable to raise the required funds needed for the imaging procedure. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $414 to cover the cost of Su's CT scan and care, scheduled for March 25th. Su is keen to return to school when his condition is treated. He loves to paint and draw in his free time and would like to be an artist someday. Su's grandfather is worried about his condition, but hopeful about his future. He says, “Whatever he wants to do in his future, I will support him fully, as his parents are gone.”

$5raised
$409to go

Aung is a nine months old baby boy from Burma. He lives with his parents, grandparents, aunt, uncle, and two elder sisters. His father works as a day laborer, while his mother takes care of the household. They also run a small farm where they grow rice for both their family to eat and to earn an income. However, their monthly earning is insufficient to cover their basic living costs and Aung's medical expenses. As a result, they are indebted. Aung was born at home with the assistance of a midwife. Neither the midwife nor the mother noticed any abnormalities at that time. However, the day after his birth, Aung's grandmother observed swelling in his left foot and genitals, as well as a mass on his right flank. Last May, Aung and his mother sought treatment at the public hospital in Yangon, where he was admitted. There, he underwent tests, including hormone evaluations, along with multiple X-rays of his chest, abdomen, pelvis, and both legs. The doctor informed his mother that a rare congenital condition was suspected, and that amputation might be necessary if there were any changes in his leg color or when he reached six months of age to prevent complications. Oral medications and bi-weekly follow-up appointments were provided. Over time, Aung's leg and scrotum swelling worsened. However, due to ongoing conflict near their village and financial constraints, Aung's parents were unable to attend further follow-up appointments. Doctors now want Aung to undergo an MRI, an imaging procedure that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of bodily organs. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose his condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $968 to cover the cost of Aung's MRI and care, scheduled for January 26th. Aung's mother expressed, "I hope to witness my son's full recovery. His condition brings me immense sorrow, and I do not know why this has happened to him. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to BCMF and the donors for helping my son. Once he receives complete treatment, my wish is for him to excel in his education and achieve success in life."

$501raised
$467to go

The birth of twins Jane and her sister brought joy to their parents. She is the 4th born in a family of five. She is a bright grade 1 student who likes reading, drawing and colouring. Her family hails from a small village, and both her parents are farmers. Soon after birth, her parents discovered the challenge of Jane being born with multiple birth conditions: Bilateral clubfeet, hydrocephalus, and spina bifida. They shared that they were quite shocked as they had not heard or experienced any of them before. Treatment for hydrocephalus and spina bifida required a collaborative effort between orthopaedic specialists and neurosurgeons. At ten days, she underwent a spina bifida surgery at a local hospital to address the neural tube defect affecting her spine and then hydrocephalus. Jane is a resilient girl and has overcome so much, carrying a big smile on her face. She now needs treatment for her clubfoot condition as her feet are bent inward, hindering her mobility. She is scheduled to undergo surgery, which will be impactful to her because she will be able to walk confidently like other children and continue with her education. “My desire is to see my daughter walking well and any kind of help is greatly appreciated,” Jane’s mother told us.

$477raised
$747to go

Residing in Kampong Thom province alongside her parents, two brothers, and two sisters, Sine's family earns their livelihood from the nearby rice paddies. Sine's favorite food is Khmer noodle soup, and she finds she loves Cambodian Studies. During her free time, she engages in reading and enjoys playing with her siblings. When she grows up, she wants to attend a prestigious university and ultimately pursue a career as a doctor. Sine was born with a hairy nevus - a type of birthmark characterized by a darkly pigmented, often raised patch of skin covered with hair. These birthmarks can vary significantly in size and appearance, ranging from small and barely noticeable to larger and more prominent. Hairy nevi are present at birth and are caused by an overgrowth of pigment cells in the skin. While most hairy nevi are harmless, larger ones may carry a slightly increased risk of developing into skin cancer, particularly melanoma. As Sine has gotten older, her insecurities around her birthmark have led to her missing a lot of school. In the pursuit of a solution, Sine and her mother traveled to Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, the care center of our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) for treatment. The doctors at CSC devised a treatment plan for Sine. On November 15th, 2023, Sine is scheduled for a partial removal of the nevus, with a follow-up in six months for additional planning and removal. Skilled surgeons at CSC will conduct the initial operation, employing skin grafting from her scalp to excise part of the nevus. This intervention aims to restore Sine's confidence, enabling her to resume regular school attendance, and to minimize her future health risks. CSC is requesting $726 to help fund the cost of this transformative procedure for Sine. Her mother shared, "I hope she can feel better and will want to play with her friends."

$246raised
$480to go

Alex is the 3rd born in a family of four children and hails from Longonot, Naivasha, in Nakuru county. His mother told us he likes playing with other kids at home. Alex came to Cure Hospital accompanied by his mother, Grace, a housewife, and his father, farmer. Alex was born with multiple disabilities - spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and bilateral foot deformity. He underwent treatment for spina bifida when he was five days old, and hydrocephalus treatment was done at the age of eight months. Currently, he tiptoes as he walks and often falls. He is scheduled to undergo bilateral serial casting and then foot reconstruction surgery. The treatment will be impactful to the young boy because he will be able to walk, run, and play like other children and continue with his education uninterrupted. Alex's mother said, "I believe the joy of a mother is to see her children growing well and not with challenges, and therefore, I would love to see Alex walking normally like other children if given assistance."

$1,224raised
Fully funded

Brandon is a 9-year-old student who is an active and social boy in class 4. He likes playing football and socializing with others. He aspires to become a doctor in the future so that he can perform surgeries for children. He is the first born in a family of 3 children. His mother is a housewife, while his father is a businessman. Brandon was born with clubfoot of both feet. He underwent serial casting treatment at a young age, where he wore a series of casts to gradually move the feet to the correct position. The right foot was corrected, but the left foot reverted back to clubfoot. He has been having difficulties walking and playing football, his favorite sport. Fortunately, Brandon and his parents traveled to visit our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH). He has been being treated with serial casting for the left foot again to soften the tissues and is scheduled to undergo a clubfoot repair surgery on August 16th. AMH is requesting $1,286 to fund Brandon's clubfoot repair. The treatment will be impactful because he will be able to walk confidently and play football with his friends. Brandon’s mother shared, “I would love to see my son walking like other children and achieve his dream career of becoming a doctor.”

$1,286raised
Fully funded

Nan Ei is a two-year-old girl who lives with her parents and grandparents in a village in Karen State, Burma. She loves playing with toys at home. Her father is the sole earner for the family. Her mother is a housewife and takes care of Nan Ei. Her grandparents are retired and also live with the family. The income is not enough to cover the family's daily expenses. One day in February 2023, Nan Ei got a fever and a painful swelling in her neck. She was taken to the clinic in her village where the doctor examined her, and she received antipyretic and antibiotic drugs. While the fever subsided, the swelling continued. Currently, she is suffering from the pain in her swollen neck. Her mother said that she is sad to see her in this condition and is very worried about her daughter’s illness. Doctors want Nan Ei to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which x-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose her condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $414 to cover the cost of Nan Ei's CT scan and care, scheduled for August 17th. Nan Ei's mother said, “I pray that we will hear the good news for the CT result. I would like to see my daughter as a clever and educated person when she grows up.”

$414raised
Fully funded

Somary is a 15-year-old girl with five members in her family. She has two younger sisters, a nine-year-old in third grade and a two-year-old. Her parents are rice farmers in Kampong Cham province. In school, she likes science and would like to be a teacher when she is older. At home, she loves to read books. Several years ago, Somary developed a large tumor in her right thigh. She visited several hospitals and received different diagnoses. The most recent biopsy revealed a diagnosis of liposarcoma, a rare type of cancer that develops in fatty tissue. Liposarcoma is a malignant tumor, which means the cancer can spread to other areas, including vital organs. Somaly has pain and is very worried about what may happen to her. Another children's hospital recommended amputation, but her parents chose to have the tumor removed to save her leg and were referred to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Center. With ongoing medical treatment, doctors hope to prevent her tumor from growing back after a large excision. Somary and her family need help raising $726 to fund her procedure and care, including surgery, medications, post-op care, and rehabilitation. Somary said: "I hope that the tumor will be removed and also stop my pain. I don't want to lose my leg and would like to go back to school again."

$726raised
Fully funded

Nageli is an 11-year-old girl, living in a small, remote village in Ngorongoro, Tanzania. She is a diligent student, currently attending primary school. While she aspires to become a nurse, she and her family - her parents and two siblings - live within the confines of a Maasai society, so that her family’s sustenance and income revolve around livestock husbandry. When Nageli was five years old, her mother entrusted her to retrieve a flask of hot tea from the kitchen. On her way back to her mother, Nageli stumbled, spilling the hot tea onto her neck. Due to their village's remoteness, and the absence of a nearby health center, the family administered first aid at home. Because proper wound care wasn't available, Nageli endured a prolonged healing process. While traditional remedies were employed, her wound persisted for three to four months. During an outreach visit to their village, a team from our medical partner encountered Nageli, and informed her parents about a potential treatment for their daughter’s condition. With the aid of their church community, Nageli and her father undertook the journey to our medical partner's facility, hoping to find a solution for the burn scar contractures that have developed, stiffening Nageli's neck, and limiting her neck's range of motion. Fortunately, African Mission Healthcare is helping Nageli receive treatment. On August 16th, surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery to ease the stiffness in Nageli's neck, which will improve her range of motion. Now, her family needs your help to fund this $639 procedure. Nageli says: “I wish to walk and have fun again with my friends while going for long walks to fetch water and firewood.”

$639raised
Fully funded

Vitou shared, "I hope I can open my eye more and feel better at school and be able to do my schoolwork more easily." Vitou lives in Phnom Penh with her parents and two siblings, ages 12 and 5. Her father is a rice farmer, and her mom stays home to help care for the children and extended family members. Vitou's favorite subject is Cambodian Studies, and she hopes to attend university one day to get a teaching degree. Vitou was born with Neurofibromatosis type 1, a genetic condition that causes tumors to grow along your nerves. The tumors are usually non-cancerous but may cause a range of symptoms. For Vitou, she has difficulty seeing clearly and is embarrassed at school. Her family traveled to Children's Surgical Center (CSC) for consultation. In November, surgeons at CSC will perform a lateral canthopexy (correction of the eyelid) and partial removal of the tumor. After surgery, Vitou's vision will improve and she can keep going after her dreams!

$726raised
Fully funded

Khin is 28-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his wife, two children, parents in-law, a brother-in-law, and a sister-in-law in a village in Karen State. Khin, his parents, and his sister-in-law are subsistence farmers, while his daughter and brother-in-law are students. His son is too young to enroll in school. They also raise chickens and pigs for their own consumption, forage for vegetables and go fishing. To pay school fees, Khin sometimes is able to get work as a day labourer. On July 10th, Khin was picking dog fruit when suddenly the branch he was standing on broke. He fell out of the tree on to a wooden dwelling and broke his spine. With the help of Watsi donors, he received a CT scan of his back which showed that he had indeed fractured his spine, and he was told that he would need to undergo surgery to heal. He is in pain, and he cannot walk. With the help of our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund (BMC), Khin will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for July 19th and Khin needs help raising $1,500 to fund the surgery. This procedure will help him walk again. Khin shared, "I am not scared to receive surgery because I know I need to undergo it to recover."

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Justine, who is 37 years old, is a married man with three children in primary school. He is a laborer, who works with his wife on peoples’ farms to earn a living and to provide for their children. For over 20 years, Justine has been living with a large tumor located on his left cheek. While it started out small, it has continued to increase in size over the years. While he remains relatively symptom free, Justine is uncomfortable when he is out in public. Justine finally visited a facility for treatment, where a fine needle aspiration was performed, to determine whether or not the growth was malignant. The results indicated that the mass was benign, and doctors scheduled a procedure to excise it. However, as Justine didn't have sufficient funds to cover the costs of his treatment, he turned to herbal medicine for help. This has only worsened the tumor. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is seeking $1,196 to pay for Justine's mass excision, which is scheduled to take place on October 12th, at AIC Kapsowar Hospital. Once the tumor has been removed, Justine's self esteem will be restored, and he will be able to lead a more comfortable life. Justine says: “I have been uncomfortable and without confidence for over twenty years. Please help me so that I may have a normal face and be able to carry out tasks that will help me provide for my family.”

$1,196raised
Fully funded