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Sebastian HofbauerUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER

Sebastian's Story

Sebastian joined Watsi on May 15th, 2025. One year ago, Sebastian joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Sebastian's most recent donation supported Siya, a six-year-old girl from India, to fund burn contracture release surgery on her finger.

Impact

Sebastian has funded healthcare for 18 patients in 9 countries.

Patients funded by Sebastian

Maurine is a 36-year-old widowed mother of two children. In 2022, she experienced a sudden and unexpected change that would alter her life. Without warning, she lost the ability to hear. At first, Maurine struggled to understand what was happening. Simple conversations became difficult, and communicating with her children was no longer easy. She could not hear when they spoke to her, and responding to their needs became increasingly challenging. In December 2022, she went to AIC Kijabe Hospital for a medical review. After assessment, the doctors recommended hearing aids to help her regain the ability to hear and communicate. A well-wisher paid for one hearing aid, which made communication easier, including with her children. Sadly, in 2025, the hearing aid stopped working. Gradually, Maurine began withdrawing from those close to her. She works as a house help, but her hearing loss also began to affect her ability to earn a living. In January this year, she returned to the hospital, where she was advised to obtain new hearing aids, but the cost was far beyond what she could afford. Still hoping for a solution, she returned to hospital in August, hoping she would find help. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping her find treatment. On Sept 9th, Maurine will be fitted with hearing aids. For Maurine, this would mean much more than the ability to hear sounds again. It would mean being able to communicate with her children. It would mean understanding her employer, and it would mean reconnecting with family and friends, regaining her confidence, and no longer living in isolation. Now, Maurine needs help to fund this $1,171 procedure. She says: “I wish to hear again, so I can communicate more confidently with my family and friends."

$946raised
$225to go

Patrick is a cheerful and energetic three-year-old boy from Tanzania. He is the firstborn of two children. Following his parents' separation, Patrick lives with his father, who has since remarried and now cares for Patrick, his younger half-sister, and the family by working as a bajaji (tuk-tuk) driver. Patrick has clubfoot on both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. The tissues connecting the muscle to the bones are shorter than usual, and this causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Patrick's condition causes his feet to turn inward. As a result, he struggles to wear shoes and often falls when walking longer distances. Despite these challenges, Patrick remains active, playful, and full of joy. Determined to help his son, Patrick's father sought medical care at Morogoro Hospital, where a nurse assessed him and referred the family to our medical partner's center, Kafika House, for specialized treatment. Patrick will begin clubfoot treatment at Kafika House on July 14th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,171 to fund Patrick's clubfoot repair. After treatment, his feet will straighten, allowing him to walk confidently, wear shoes, and enjoy a more active childhood. Patrick's father said, "As a father, my greatest wish is to see Patrick walk confidently without falling. I am grateful that hope has found us, and your support will give my son the chance to enjoy the healthy future every child deserves."

$1,171raised
Fully funded

Emmanuel is a 45-year-old hardworking father from Philippines. He previously worked as driver to support his family, but is currently unemployed, which is challenging while raising two school-going children. His wife is also unemployed, and with no steady income, the family often skip meals and mainly depend on partial repayments of debts from relatives, and occasionally borrow money from the children's uncle. Six years ago, Emmanuel began to experience troubling symptoms, including intense chest pains that radiate to his back, which prevented him from sitting or lying down. He made repeated attempts to seek treatment in public hospitals, but these were unsuccessful due to overcrowding. Emmanuel is growing increasingly worried about not being able to provide for his family, yet he remains hopeful that the surgery could alleviate his painful symptoms and reduce the financial strain on his family. Emmanuel has been diagnosed with cholelithiasis, which are hardened pieces of bile that form in the gallbladder. Doctors have advised him to undergo a cholecystectomy, which the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, his symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at a risk of future health complications. Emmanuel is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on April 11th, through our partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP). A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,031 to cover the cost of Emmanuel's surgery and care. Emmanuel says: "Despite our current struggles, I remain optimistic about our future. Once I receive treatment for my condition, I'll return to work so I can provide for my family again. My wife and children keep me strong."

$1,031raised
Fully funded

Enifa is a 25-year-old woman from Malawi. She is married and a mother of two children, ages six and ten. Together with her husband, she supports her family through tomato farming. Enifa had been in good health until 2024, when her husband noticed changes in her neck and encouraged her to seek medical care. As the swelling in her neck increased, she made several hospital visits. In early 2025, after the growth became more pronounced, she was diagnosed with a goiter. Her symptoms continued to progress despite ongoing care. In December 2025, as her condition worsened further, Enifa was taken to our medical partner care center, Partners In Health. for further evaluation. There, she was assessed by a surgeon who conducted the necessary tests and confirmed the diagnosis of goiter, as well as the need for surgical treatment through a procedure known as a thyroidectomy. This surgery involves removing part or all of the thyroid gland, depending on findings at the time of surgery. The thyroid gland is located at the front of the neck and produces hormones essential for metabolism, growth, and many other bodily functions. Over the past fourteen months, Enifa has experienced increasing symptoms, including neck pain, difficulty carrying heavy items on her head, and episodes of choking at night. Surgery is recommended to prevent further worsening of these symptoms and to restore her quality of life. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Enifa receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on January 13th at Partners in Hope Medical Center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $1015, and she and her family need help raising money. Enifa hopes that the surgery will restore her health so she can continue caring for her children and resume her farming work. “The choking at night is terrifying me, and I am afraid of death; please help me, I have young kids." said Enifa.

$1,015raised
Fully funded