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Robert AndrewsUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER

Robert's Story

Robert joined Watsi on February 17th, 2026. Nine months ago, Robert joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Robert's most recent donation supported Neisha, a preschooler from Haiti, to fund treatment leading up to, and following heart surgery.

Impact

Robert has funded healthcare for 9 patients in 6 countries.

Patients funded by Robert

Neisha is a three-year-old preschooler from Haiti. She is the first born child in her family, and lives with her parents in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. She likes coloring with crayons and going to church with her mother. Neisha has a cardiac condition called a ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart; blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak and short of breath. Neisha needs to fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On October 15th, she will undergo heart surgery, during which surgeons will sew a patch over the hole so that blood no longer leaks through it. Another organization is contributing money to pay for surgery. Neisha's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Neisha's family overseas. Neisha's mother says, "I have been so worried and scared about my daughter's health, and am so happy that her heart can finally be fixed!"

$979raised
$521to go

Luciano is an eight-year-old student from Colombia. He is an outgoing, intelligent, and very affectionate boy who stands out for being extremely responsible and level-headed in everything he does. He has a unique spark that fills his entire family with pride and love, and in his heart he holds a big dream: to become a professional soccer player when he grows up. A year ago, Luciano was diagnosed with an umbilical hernia, a condition in which a small portion of abdominal tissue protrudes through the navel. He needs surgery to correct it and prevent potential future complications. Umbilical hernias cause mild discomfort or tenderness around the navel, especially when crying, coughing, or straining. It often causes discomfort that prevents one from carrying out daily activities. Fortunately, on September 18th, Luciano will undergo repair surgery, and our medical partner, Clinica Noel, is requesting $1,005 to fund Luciano's surgery. Once completed, this procedure should allow him to live more comfortably. Luciano's mother said, "I am writing this message with a heart full of gratitude. I want to sincerely thank you for your invaluable help and for making it possible for children like mine to have the opportunity to improve their quality of life. For us, as single mothers, not having the financial resources for these procedures is very difficult, and people with your generosity are a beacon of hope. May God reward you for your kindness!"

$508raised
$497to go

Ricarson is a 45-year-old man from Haiti. He lives by himself in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince; he has seven siblings. He works primarily as an electrician, but also as a freelance journalist. Ricarson has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of his heart does not open and close properly as a result of an infection he suffered earlier in his life. This has led to heart failure, leaving him weak and short of breath. Ricarson needs to fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On August 12th, he will undergo heart surgery, during which surgeons will remove his damaged valve and implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, Haitian Hearts Foundation, is contributing to the cost of the surgery. But Ricarson's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover laboratory tests, medications, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Ricarson's family overseas. Richardson says, "I am looking forward to having the strength and energy I need to live my life, and would like to say thank you to everyone!"

$962raised
$538to go

Naw Ree is a 29-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her mother, husband, sister, and brother in a refugee camp in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. She is a homemaker who also weaves traditional Karen clothes for sale. Her husband is not formerly employed, but looks after their vegetable garden, chickens, and two pigs. Her brother is a student, and her sister also weaves traditional Karen clothing. Together they earn 1,000 THB per month, which is often not enough to cover their daily expenses. The family receives free basic health care in the refugee camp provided by Malteser International (MI) Thailand. Naw Ree is currently expecting her first child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section due to a high risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Naw Ree undergo a C-Section on May 14th. This procedure will cost $1500, and Naw Ree needs your support. Naw Ree said, “I wish to work as a healthcare worker in the future. If given the opportunity, I will apply to study as a midwife or a nurse at the camp hospital when my child is older.”

$1,005raised
$495to go

Thoon is a 13-year-old girl from Burma. She lives with her parents in Phop Phra District, Tak Province, Thailand. They are originally from Karen State, Burma. They moved to Thailand in search of better job opportunities. Her parents are agricultural day laborers. In her free time, she loves to play with her friends or watch movies on her mother's phone. On July 9th, 2026, Thoon and her friends got into a motorbike accident. An X-ray showed that she fractured her left leg and jaw. She cannot walk and is in pain. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Thoon will undergo surgery to reset her fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for July 15th. After surgery, Thoon will be able to walk again, look after herself, and help with household chores. Her family needs help raising $1,500 to help fund the cost of her procedure and care. Thoon's mother said, "We are unable to borrow money for her surgery. Thank you for helping my daughter."

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Grace, who is 39 years old, is a small-scale businesswoman from Malawi. Grace is married with two children, and sells traditional drinks to earn income. After the birth of her second child in 2017, Grace's friend noticed a swelling on Grace's neck. Grace was completely asymptomatic until 2025, when she began to experience neck heaviness, frequent coughing, a hoarse voice and overwhelming fatigue. She was diagnosed with a goiter, and doctors advised that she would need to undergo a thyroidectomy. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Grace receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on June 8th, at Partners in Hope Medical Center, during which surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $1,015, and Grace and her family need your help raising the money. Grace believes that the thyroidectomy will help her to get better, and enable her to concentrate on her business and family support. She said: "I have 100% hope that surgery will restore my health and make me well again to continue supporting my family."

$1,015raised
Fully funded

Camila is a sweet young girl from Bolivia. She lives with her mom, who maintains a small store from home so that she has more time to spend caring for her daughter. Camila has five older siblings. She likes to go to school, and she loves to paint. When Camila was a baby, doctors told her mom she had a heart condition that may close with time, but as she has grown older, the heart condition has affected her health more and more. Camila also has developmental disabilities. Camila has a cardiac condition called a ventricular septal defect, where a hole exists between the two lower chambers of the heart that causes blood to leak as the heart pumps. Camila's condition prevents blood from circulating in her body normally, leaving her weak and short of breath. On April 15th, she will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, a patch will be sewn over the hole in her heart so that blood can no longer leak through it. Camila's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Camila's mother shared, "I'm so happy my daughter can receive the treatment she needs. We were waiting for a long time."

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Musa is a jovial and sociable 14-year-old boy from Narok County in Kenya. He is the last born in a family of seven, and is currently a Grade 7 student. His mother is a home maker, while his father works as a small-scale farmer to provide for their family. Like many boys his age, Musa enjoys being active, but his biggest dream is to become an athlete in the future. However, Musa’s journey has not been easy. He was born with bilateral clubfoot, a condition where the feet are twisted out of shape, which makes walking and running difficult. Because of this condition, Musa has often struggled with mobility, which has limited his ability to run and participate in sports like other children. Despite these challenges, Musa has not given up on his dreams. Musa is not new to our medical partner's care center, AIC CURE Hospital. He previously underwent surgery on his right foot, which is now corrected, greatly improving his mobility. Musa now needs corrective surgery on his left foot. Although resources are limited, Musa’s parents remain hopeful and supportive as their son continues his treatment journey. Musa was admitted to the hospital, and is currently undergoing serial casting in preparation for surgery on his left foot. Musa is scheduled for clubfoot repair surgery on March 11th at AIC CURE Hopsital. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Musa's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to stand upright, walk comfortably, run freely, and continue with his studies without hindrance. Most importantly, it will bring him closer to chasing his dream of becoming an athlete and, perhaps one day, representing Kenya in international athletic events. Musa says: “I really looking forward to standing upright, walking well, and achieving my dream of becoming an athlete in the future."

$1,286raised
Fully funded

Kue is a 20-year-old man who lives with his wife and daughter in a refugee camp in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. His wife looks after their daughter and also makes and sells snacks twice a week from their home to help earn an income. Kue used to work as a day laborer in neighboring Thai villages but stopped working in July 2025 when he first felt unwell. . On the 12th of January, 2026, Kue was admitted to the hospital in camp due to weakness and pain in his leg. Kue observed that his left leg was smaller than his right leg. He was referred to our medical partner's care center, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, where he underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of his left leg, which showed that he has osteomyelitis in his left femur, septic arthritis in his left hip, and inflammation in his left knee. He underwent a wound debridement surgery and was scheduled to go home on the 16th of February. However, when getting out of bed that day, he heard a snapping sound when he bore weight on his left leg. An X-ray confirmed that his left femur was fractured. He needs surgery to facilitate proper healing. On February 17th, Kue will undergo fracture repair surgery, and he needs help raising $1,500 to fund his procedure and care. Currently, Kue is in pain, and his leg is immobilized in a leg brace. He requires the help of someone to complete daily tasks. In his free time, he likes to fix machines, and he plans to do that in the future. Kue said, “I have been sick for a long time, and now my leg broke when I was about to go home. But I feel relieved that there is someone who can help me receive treatment.”

$1,500raised
Fully funded