Jerry Wartell
Jerry's Story

Jerry joined Watsi on November 25th, 2013. 11 other people also joined Watsi on that day! Jerry's most recent donation traveled 1,500 miles to support Jaime, a baby boy from Guatemala, to treat acute malnutrition.

Impact

Jerry has funded healthcare for 8 patients in 7 countries.

Patients funded by Jerry

At 14-months-old, Jaime “loves to play with his brother and sister," says our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK). "His sister loves to put him their little hammock and swing him back and forth." The youngest of four children, Jaime lives with his family in a village in Guatemala. After his mother noticed that he was not growing well, Jaime was brought to WK’s clinic. They diagnosed him with acute malnutrition, a condition that results from a nutrient deficiency over an extended period. Children with malnutrition face the possibility of stunted mental and physical development, setting limitations later in life. With treatment, "Jaime will avoid the long term effects of malnutrition and develop the ability to concentrate and eventually succeed in school," WK says. WK explains, “Jaime’s mom weaves blouses, while his dad is a day worker in the next village over.” With their income, they are unable to pay the expenses for Jaime’s treatment. With $535, Jaime will undergo a three-month micronutrient support program to treat his malnutrition. During this period, Jaime’s nutrient levels will be gradually restored through food supplements. Jaime’s mother will work with a nutritionist to receive an intensive course on healthy eating. WK states that this program, “will give [Jaime’s mother] the background to better provide healthy, nutrient-dense options for her children.” Jaime’s mother shares, “It is so good that you want to help my baby.”

$535raised
Fully funded

Zar Zar is a shy 14-year-old girl from Burma. She lives with her parents, 17-year-old brother, and two younger brothers. Her mother says that Zar Zar is a good student and she studies hard. Zar Zar is in the 9th grade and is looking forward to completing her studies. Her parents and older brother work as rice farmers, but this is typically not enough income to cover their expenses. Zar Zar has been diagnosed with encephalocele, a neural tube defect that causes a mass to grow. “When she was born her parents noticed a small lump on the bridge of her nose,” Zar Zar’s doctor at Burma Border Projects (BBP) tells us. “At that time the bump did not cause her any physical discomfort and she was otherwise a healthy, active baby. Her encephalocele now takes up the bridge of her nose and completely obstructs the vision in her left eye. Although it causes her considerable discomfort, she has learned to make do as well as she can. Only having vision in one eye has not stopped her from going to school, nor has the stigma attached to her condition.” “In the future, she said that she would like to be a teacher,” BBP adds. “At the moment, teaching is like a hobby for her, and she helps her younger siblings and her peers with their school work, she added that she enjoys explaining things and helping people learn. In addition, in her free time, she likes running and staying healthy.” Zar Zar’s family cannot afford the surgery needed to remove the growth from Zar Zar’s face, but with $1,500 we can make sure she receives the treatment. “After treatment she will concentrate on her education and hopes to help her family,” BBP explains. "Treatment will improve her confidence and make her more outgoing. Zar Zar’s treatment will also benefit the family as they will no longer have to worry about paying for expensive surgery and can look to the future with happiness."

$1,500raised
Fully funded