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Ehsan NoursalehiUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER

Ehsan's Story

Ehsan joined Watsi on November 25th, 2015. Eleven years ago, Ehsan joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Ehsan's most recent donation supported Hayu, a three-year-old boy from Ethiopia, to fund corrective surgery for a birth condition.

Impact

Ehsan has funded healthcare for 133 patients in 13 countries.

Patients funded by Ehsan

Sudeyes is a 20-month-old boy from Ethiopia. He enjoys spending time with other children, especially playing football. He lives with his mother in the same home as his grandparents, who provide him with additional love and support. As a single mother, Sudeyes’s mother works as a teacher and is committed to providing the best possible care for her son. With the support of her parents, she raises her son in a loving home. Immediately after Sudeyes' birth, healthcare providers informed his mother that he was born with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, experience uncomfortable symptoms and would be at risk of future complications. The news was overwhelming to his mother, and she feared what it would mean for her son’s future. Before leaving the hospital, she was referred to a specialized facility for further evaluation. When Sudeyes was just two weeks old, his mother took him to the referral hospital, where he was placed on the surgical waiting list. Nearly a year later, he underwent the first stage of his reconstructive surgery. The procedure was successful, but he required a second operation to complete his treatment, and he was placed on a lengthy waiting list. Since the waiting list was lengthy, Sudeyes's mother took him to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM). During their visit, the medical team warmly welcomed them, carefully explained his condition, reviewed his previous treatment, and outlined the remaining surgical plan. Their compassionate communication and professional care reassured her, and she felt confident that her son was in capable hands. Fortunately, Sudeyes is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on August 20th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Sudeyes' mother shared, "I also encourage continued collaboration with government hospitals, where many children and families are waiting and suffering because they cannot access timely surgical care. This partnership gives hope to families like ours and changes children's lives."

$1,293raised
Fully funded

Susan is a six-year-old girl from Kenya. From an early age, Susan experienced delayed developmental milestones. She was only able to sit at eight months and did not begin walking until she was two years old. As she grew, her parents noticed that she had difficulty speaking and pronouncing words. They hoped that, with time, she would improve, but the challenges persisted. Her parents enrolled her in school, believing that interacting with other children would help her learn to communicate better. Unfortunately, Susan continued to struggle both academically and socially. While her peers progressed to the next grade, she had to repeat a class because she was unable to keep up with communication and learning activities. Seeking help, her family first took her to a nearby hospital, and later, through a friend’s recommendation, she was referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital. After undergoing audiology assessments, Susan was diagnosed with severe hearing loss. The major reason she cannot speak clearly is that she is unable to hear properly. When her parents learned the cost of hearing aids, they were worried. Susan’s father depends on casual construction and farming jobs to provide for his wife and their three children, while her mother works as a waitress at a local food joint. Despite working tirelessly, the family cannot afford the support Susan urgently needs. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Susan receive treatment. On 21st May, she will be fitted with hearing aids that will improve her hearing. With consistent speech therapy, her communication skills will also improve, so she catch up with her peers. Now, Susan's parents are seeking support to raise $1,171, to aid in treatment for their daughter's hearing, help her find her voice, and continue her education with confidence alongside other children her age. Susan’s mother says, “Susan is a very active and bright child, but because she cannot hear properly, she struggles to keep up with other children her age. Being able to hear would help her speak more clearly, interact confidently, and progress well in her education.”

$1,171raised
Fully funded

Athalya is a little girl whose smile brightens the spirits of everyone around her. Despite her young age, she shows a special sensitivity when it comes to caring for others. She deeply enjoys music and dance. Athalya dreams of becoming a dancer one day, moving freely and joyfully to the rhythm of her favorite songs. Athalya lives in the town of Rionegro, Antioquia, with her parents, who lovingly support her at every stage of her development. However, about ten months ago, Athalya began experiencing oral discomfort that disrupted her daily routine. After seeing a dentist, she was diagnosed with dentin caries, a condition that began to affect her oral health and also her overall well-being. The pain and discomfort caused by this condition made everyday activities such as eating, concentrating, and fully enjoying her games increasingly difficult. This caused concern among Athalya's family, who sought specialized care to prevent the situation from worsening further. Following a comprehensive evaluation by the dental team, it was determined that, given the extent of the damage and Athalya's age, the safest and most effective treatment should be performed under general anesthesia. This decision made it possible to plan a comprehensive procedure focused on properly restoring Athalya's oral health without causing her any distress. Fortunately, Athalya will get the procedure she needs under anesthesia on April 29th. Our medical partner, Clínica Noel, is requesting $1,109 to help fund her care. Her mother kindly shared, "For Athalya, this treatment represents an opportunity for relief and recovery. It is hoped that it will not only eliminate her physical pain, but also restore her peace of mind when eating, the energy to learn, and the confidence to continue dancing, smiling, and dreaming. Thank you for being part of this process and for lending us a helping hand at such a crucial moment for her health and well-being. May God multiply your kindness and bless you always for everything you do from the heart."

$1,109raised
Fully funded

Ten-year-old Edom is a bright, energetic fifth-grader born into a family of six. Despite her vibrant spirit, she is currently struggling with the constant pain and fatigue of chronic tonsillitis. Her home life is a delicate balancing act: her mother works tirelessly as a frontline nurse to cover every family expense, while her father is back in school, dedicated to building a brighter, more secure future for his four children. A year ago, Edom begun experiencing recurring high fevers, pain, and difficulty swallowing. This persistent condition has become a major obstacle to her development. Frequent, painful infections and high fevers often leave her drained, keeping her away from her studies and the social life she loves. Instead of thriving in the fifth grade with her peers, she is often confined to her bed, battling a cycle of exhaustion that no child should have to face. As a professional nurse, it was heartbreaking for Edom's mother to realize she couldn’t get her daughter the immediate care she needed a year ago. Watching her baby girl suffer in constant pain was devastating, especially while she carried the heavy weight of her career on the front lines. Balancing 12-hour shifts with the demands of a busy household and three other children has been exhausting. Between her professional duties and her daughter’s illness, this past year has been a relentless and emotional journey for the entire family. Edom was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Edom, scheduled for January 28th. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Edom of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Her parents say: "We long for the day we can finally watch her thrive and soar, with limitless growth and energy."

$700raised
Fully funded

Sotheary is a cheerful nine-year-old girl from Kampong Cham province, Cambodia. She is the second of four children and lives with her parents, siblings, and two grandmothers. Her parents are farmers, and her mother also sells Khmer cakes to help support the family. She enjoys mathematics at school and dreams of becoming a teacher. In her free time, she likes playing with her friends, and her favorite meal is vegetable stir-fry. Sotheary was born with a cleft lip and palate, which was repaired when she was a baby. However, there is still a gap in her upper gum where teeth should be. Without further treatment, her permanent teeth may not grow properly, and she could struggle with chewing, speaking, and smiling confidently. Doctors at our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, explained that Sotheary now needs an alveolar bone graft. This surgery will place bone into the gap in her upper gum, providing support for her teeth to grow in correctly. For Sotheary, this procedure is an important step toward a healthy smile and the confidence to speak and eat without difficulty. She has started to feel insecure about her appearance, and her parents hope this surgery will improve her confidence. Her family cannot afford the $665 cost of the procedure and needs support to cover the surgery and post-operative care. Sotheary's mother said, “I hope this surgery will help my daughter’s teeth grow properly so she can eat, speak clearly, and smile with confidence. We just want her to feel happy and confident as she grows up and follows her dream of becoming a teacher.”

$665raised
Fully funded