Jennifer Logan
Jennifer's Story

Jennifer joined Watsi on September 29th, 2015. 21 other people also joined Watsi on that day! Jennifer's most recent donation traveled 1,500 miles to support Josias, a baby boy from Guatemala, to treat acute malnutrition.

Impact

Jennifer has funded healthcare for 6 patients in 6 countries.

Patients funded by Jennifer

Meet Josias, a 10-month-old baby boy from Guatemala with acute malnutrition. According to our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), “Josias is far below the average height for his age and weight for his age. He is slow to develop milestones and at 10 months he cannot sit by himself, say any words at all, crawl or walk.” “Josias has low energy and his family just simply does not have enough money to buy him nutrient-rich food," WK adds. "Without intervention his weight and height will continue to fall away from the growth curve and he will be at risk of the long term effects of malnutrition.” To support their family, Josias’ father works as a day laborer, while his mother weaves fabric to sell. However, their combined income is not enough to afford the medical care that Josias needs. In indigenous Mayan communities like Josias', rates of malnutrition are some of the highest in the world. In the majority of cases, this condition is linked with limited education and regional food insecurity. For $535, Josias will be treated for acute malnutrition. During a three-month period, micronutrient food supplements will be added into his diet, gradually returning him to healthy nutrient levels. Josias’ mother will also take part in an intensive nutrition education, equipping her with the skills and knowledge to care for Josias’ nutritional needs as he continues to develop. WK states, “This treatment will provide Josias with micronutrient and food supplementation as well as medication to stop infections and improve his state of malnutrition. He will start to recoup the height and weight he has lost and his immune system will improve. He will decrease his risk of chronic disease in adulthood, and will have more energy to concentrate and succeed in school.” Josias’ mother expresses, “I just want him to be healthy and strong and be able to study one day.”

$535raised
Fully funded

“A playful child, Laxmi enjoys playing dress up,” shares our medical partner, Possible. “When she grows up, Laxmi’s mother wishes she become a teacher since she is such an inquisitive girl.” Laxmi is two years old, and lives with her two siblings and parents in Nepal. To support the family, her parents farm and produce food. However, farming is tough and the family only produces enough to make ends meet for eight months of the year. Laxmi has painful abscesses on her body. One first appeared on her leg, but when it was treated two more appeared on her face and hand. They are causing Laxmi significant pain, and with open wounds like this there is a risk that she will contract a serious infection. Possible reports that, “for the last few days, Laxmi has had a fever and been bed ridden since.” To make sure that the abscesses heal and don’t cause and further health problems, Laxmi requires a doctor to care for the wounds properly. In a simple treatment, doctors will make clean incisions in the abscesses to drain the pus. The doctors anticipate that after the procedure, “her fever will go down instantly and she can resume all her daily activities.” With $220, Laxmi will receive treatment and be able to live more comfortably without pain or risk of infection. “Had it not been for this hospital, I would have had to take loans and treat my child in private clinics,” shares Laxmi’s father. “I am assured the doctors here can cure my child.”

$220raised
Fully funded

Brian, a 35-year-old Kenyan man, came to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), seeking treatment for a leg injury sustained earlier this year in a hit-and-run accident involving a motorcycle. “Since then,” explains AMHF, “he is unable to work and relies solely on his family.” Brian’s condition, chronic osteomyelitis of the right tibia, is an infection of his lower leg bone resulting from his injury. Typical symptoms include recurring pain, redness, swelling, and bone loss. Currently, “Brian is experiencing pain and inability to use his right leg,” AMHF tells us. “If not treated, Brian is at risk of pathological fracture of the tibia.” Treatment of osteomyelitis is a surgical technique to regenerate bone lost as a result of the infection. In this technique—known as bone transport—an orthopedic surgeon breaks the involved bone and attaches the bone fragments to an external fixation device. As the fracture begins to heal, the external fixator is adjusted to pull the healing fracture apart approximately one millimeter per day. Separating the fragments in this manner promotes bone growth and results in the restoration of the lost bone over time. After the accident, Brian was treated surgically, but the procedure was unsuccessful, and he cannot pay for the additional surgery that he needs. $1,500 in funding pays for the bone transport surgery as well as 12 days of hospital care, antibiotic therapy, and physiotherapy. Brian’s family has saved $110 to cover additional costs associated with his care. “We expect after a bone transport, Brian's leg will heal,” shares AMHF. “He will be able to use his leg again. Brian will be able to work.” "I had planned to marry and provide for my family before this accident,” says Brian. “I really hope I will be able to do that after this surgery.”

$1,500raised
Fully funded