Samir GhoudraniUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER
Samir's Story

Samir joined Watsi on January 5th, 2021. Four years ago, Samir joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Samir's most recent donation supported John, a 41-year-old farmer from Kenya, to fund fracture repair surgery following an accident.

Impact

Samir has funded healthcare for 45 patients in 10 countries.

Patients funded by Samir

John is a 41-year-old man from Kenya. He is married and has one child. John and his wife are not formally employed but engage in small-scale farming on their farm. He also does casual work at construction sites to help meet their financial needs. On the 20th of September, John was hit by a speeding motorcyclist while on his way home after a day’s work. The motorcyclist fled the scene and passers-by took John to a nearby health center, where first aid was administered. He was then referred to our medical partner's care center, Nazareth Hospital, for further management. An x-ray revealed an open fracture of the tibia in his left leg. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. On October 3rd, John will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. The treatment will continue to alleviate the pain John is experiencing and also prevent malunion of the bones. Now, John needs your help to raise $1,048 to fund this procedure. John shared: “My family and I are not able to meet this cost and we are kindly requesting help so that the pain can be relieved, and my leg can be treated, get well, so that I can continue with my family responsibility."

$252raised
$796to go

Cheara is a 35-year-old father from Cambodia. He repairs motorcycles to support his family. His wife helps him in the shop. Together, he and his wife have three daughters. In his free time, Cheara enjoys helping his daughters with their homework. Cheara shared that he has had an abnormal posture in his spine since he was ten years old. Our surgeons have diagnosed him with kyphoscoliosis, which includes both kyphosis and scoliosis. This condition results in excessive outward curvature of the upper spine (kyphosis), causing a rounded or hunched back, along with a sideways curvature of the spine (scoliosis), often forming an "S" or "C" shape when viewed from behind. He experiences back pain when lifting heavy objects, some chest tightness, and shortness of breath when going upstairs or running. Fortunately, our medical partner, the Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), can help. On September 4th, specialty surgeons will perform surgery to fuse the vertebrae in the thoracic and lumbar regions of Cheara’s spine, aiming to correct his spinal alignment. Now, Cheara and his wife need your help to raise $1,500 to cover the costs of the surgery, hospitalization, implants, post-operative medication, and physiotherapy. This surgery will help alleviate his back pain, chest tightness, and shortness of breath, significantly improving his quality of life. Cheara shared, "I wish I could work without pain and improve my posture so that I can feel more comfortable meeting with my customers."

$703raised
$797to go

Lydiah is an 18-year-old from Kenya. In February 2022, Lydiah's schooling and aspirations for becoming a doctor had to be put on hold when she began to experience excruciating pain in her right leg and hip. The pain progressed to the point where she could no longer bear weight on her leg, forcing her to leave school. When she was unable to find help in her province, Lydiah moved to live with her aunt in Nairobi. Despite visits to various dispensaries, and attempts to secure medical care, including painkillers, Lydiah's condition did not improve. She and her aunt tried visiting hospitals, but could not afford to pay for the necessary scans. In November 2023, Lydiah developed a swelling on her hip joint. Financial limitations prevented her from accessing care, leaving her in persistent agony. In June 2024, when her condition deteriorated further, Lydia was referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital. Lydiah was diagnosed with osteomyelitis of the right thigh bone and was recommended to undergo sequestrectomy surgery. Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone. The recommended surgery will remove the bone that has died, as a result of the infection. Again, finances have been a challenge, and Lydiah has remained in pain. Currently, Lydiah suffers from a painful, swollen thigh with a draining sinus, intensified by the cold season. Compounding her challenges, Lydiah is the only child of her mother who has been grappling with mental health issues since her husband's passing in 2015. Her aunt is her only hope since she is the one who has been taking care of her since she fell ill. Lydiah’s aunt is a casual beauty laborer, who weaves hair extensions for women, and whose income is precarious. Lydiah’s aunt is also a single mother to three children. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is asking for help to fund the $1,400 needed for Lydiah's surgery, scheduled for July 16th. They hope this intervention will not only alleviate her suffering, but also pave the way for her to pursue her dreams. Lydiah said: “I know that I am advanced in years, but I am willing to continue from Form 2, where I left off, and proceed to pursue my career as a doctor.”

$791raised
$609to go

Rosaura, who is eight months old, lives with her mother and her grandparents in a suburb of La Paz, Bolivia. Her mother is a street vendor. Rosaura has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus, where a hole exists between two major blood vessels next to her heart. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through her lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving Rosaura weak, and making it difficult for her to gain weight. On July 10th, Rosaura will undergo cardiac surgery at Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During the procedure, surgeons will close the hole so blood can no longer leak through it. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is seeking $1,500 to fund the costs of Rosaura's surgery and care, including exams, diagnostics, surgery, follow-up care, and medications. Rosaura's mother said: "I am very hopeful that everything will go well with this surgery, so that my daughter can be normal and strong."

$885raised
$615to go

Chanthorn is a 21-year-old mango farmer from Cambodia. He lives with his mother and older brother in the village where he grew up. He has four other siblings, and they live in nearby villages with their families. One year ago, while Chanthorn was lifting a crate of mangoes, he suddenly experienced a sharp pain in his back. The pain persisted and he noticed a curvature in his spine. He experiences chronic daily pain due to his injury. Chanthorn's injury has prevented him from working on the farm. He also used to enjoy playing soccer every evening with his friends in the village, but is unable to due to his injury. Chanthorn traveled five and a half hours to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, for a diagnosis and treatment. On March 20th, our surgeons will perform surgery to align his spine using implants. This procedure will ease his pain and allow him to return to work. Our medical partners are requesting $1,500 to fund his procedure. The costs will cover surgery and in-patient care, including physiotherapy. Chanthorn's mother said, "I hope my son will feel healthy again and be able to return to work on the farm."

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Victorino is a hardworking father from the Philippines who works as a motorcycle taxi driver. One year ago, Victorino began to experience troubling symptoms, including excruciating pain in the lower left part of his ribs making it difficult for him to breathe, stand, or walk. This directly affected his work and his income. Victorino was diagnosed with stones in his gallbladder and has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, his symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at risk for further health complications. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Victorino is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on April 5th. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and WSFP is raising the remaining $1128 to cover the cost of Victorino's surgery and care. Victorino shared, "Thank you to Watsi and Our Lady of Peace Hospital for all the help they have extended to me. This surgery will not just help me but also my family. I am very grateful. I hope you will be able to help more people like me."

$1,128raised
Fully funded

Thi Ha is a three-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his mother and an older sister in a village in Karen State, Burma. His mother is a stay-at-home parent, and his sister goes to school. His father works in Bangkok, Thailand, as a cleaner in a market to support his family. When Thi Ha was born, his mother noticed a mass at the bottom of Thi Ha’s spine. As he grew older, the mass grew larger and started causing him pain, even if something soft touched it. Thi Ha and his mother visited our medical partner’s care center, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, where the doctors wanted Thi Ha to undergo an MRI to diagnose his condition and prepare an appropriate treatment plan for Thi Ha. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $968 to cover the cost of Thi Ha’s MRI and care, scheduled for February 13. His mother said, “Sometimes his friends do not care and ignore him because of his disease. Then Thi Ha feels embarrassed and upset with his friends.”

$968raised
Fully funded

Stephen is a 62-year-old grandfather. He is a married man with two sons who are both married. He left his motherland long ago in search of work and landed in his current residence, where he works as a casual laborer - getting jobs around his community whenever he can. He lives with his wife and two grandchildren, studying in a nearby primary school. Stephen came into the hospital with complaints of swelling in his groin area that had been there for three months. An ultrasound found that he has hydrocele, which is swelling in a sensitive area. It has become hard for him to continue with work such that sometimes he cannot put food on the table. He needs treatment so that he can work comfortably and be able to provide for his family. Fortunately, our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) can help. Stephen is scheduled to undergo hydrocele repair surgery on August 28th. AMH is requesting $631 to fund Stephen's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will reduce the swelling to normal size and prevent further complications so that he will be able to live more comfortably. Stephen says, “I am the only person who works at home so as to provide basic needs. I feel so sad sometimes when I see my people in need of something, and I cannot provide it. I am not even comfortable walking. I am looking forward to getting well. Please help me.”

$631raised
Fully funded

Mikaeli is a 12-year-old boy. He is the oldest of three siblings in his family and a student. Unfortunately, he had to discontinue his studies due to mobility challenges caused by a congenital condition in his left foot. His father is struggling to find appropriate treatment for him, which is causing a lot of stress for the family. The condition causes an inward and downward twist in his left foot, and his parents are concerned about the potential implications on his future if left unaddressed. Mikaeli’s father, a farmer, serves as the primary breadwinner for their family of three children. Despite his efforts on the farm, the income generated from sales is insufficient to cover all their expenses. In response to this financial gap, the father takes on casual jobs to supplement their income. However, even with these combined efforts, the funds they currently generate are inadequate to meet the medical costs associated with their son’s condition. Fortunately, Mikaeli's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. There, the team will begin clubfoot treatment on December 29th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Mikaeli's clubfoot repair. After treatment, Mikaeli will eventually walk comfortably and wear regular shoes. Mikaeli’s father says: “I wish for my son's leg to be normal so that he can return to school and continue his education.”

$935raised
Fully funded

Sath is a 79-year-old retired rice farmer from Cambodia. He has two sons and two daughters who are also rice farmers. Sath currently lives with his wife and his youngest son, who supports them financially. While walking home one evening in 2019, Sath was hit by a car. He suffered a head injury and a fracture of his lower right leg. He underwent surgery, and his leg was casted, but when the cast was removed, the fracture remained unhealed. Because of the Covid pandemic, Sath was unable to travel, and his family didn't have the money to fund additional care, so he improvised, using a bamboo splint. However, he has continued to have an open wound on his right leg and is unable to walk. A friend in the village told him about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). Sath and his wife traveled two hours for treatment. Doctors at CSC's care center diagnosed him with a chronic wound infection. His bone is exposed, and he needs debridement of the wound and a skin flap - a reconstructive surgery technique involving the transfer of skin from one area of the body to another. Sath's surgery is scheduled for August 8th at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. Sath is able to contribute $100 to his treatment, and needs help raising the remaining $991. This sum will cover the cost of his surgery, hospitalization, medications, and rehabilitation. Sath said: "After surgery, I hope that my wound closes and I can walk again."

$991raised
Fully funded

Emelita is a loving grandmother from the Philippines. Emelita has five children and is currently living with one of them. When she was younger, she worked hard as a laundrywoman to make ends meet for her family. Now that she is physically weaker due to her age, she takes care of her grandchildren and helps her daughter with the household chores. Three years ago, Emelita began to experience troubling symptoms, including severe stomach pain, upper back pain, fatigue, and rapid exhaustion. Whenever she feels her symptoms, she cannot perform her day-to-day tasks. She also knows that her daughter and grandchildren worry about her condition and are affected whenever she is in pain. After seeking treatment, Emelita has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, her symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Emelita is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on October 14th. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,128 to cover the cost of Emelita's surgery and care. Emelita says, "I am very grateful for this surgery opportunity because it will help me and my family. I feel like I have been a burden to them, especially when my symptoms act up. This surgery will enable me to regain my ability to do my day-to-day tasks and household activities to help my family."

$1,128raised
Fully funded

Peter is a 28-year-old artisan from Kenya. He creates and sells lampshades made from recycled materials to support his family. Peter's wife stays at home with their three-year-old daughter. In his free time, Peter and his friends run a boxing group that helps keep unemployed youths around his home area busy. One month ago, Peter sustained a fracture to his right pinky while boxing. He went to a local health facility where he received pain medication. However, Peter saw no improvement in his pain. He currently can't work or grip using his right hand and is at risk for future complications. Peter sought out care again, and his doctors recommended he undergo a fracture repair procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation. However, Peter's medical coverage is not currently active and he can't afford the surgery on his own. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. On June 21st, Peter will undergo surgery to repair his fracture. After surgery, he will be able to grip objects again and resume work. Now, AMH is requesting $979 to fund this procedure. Peter says, “I use my hand to work. I am unable to make the lampshades because my hand is injured, this is what I use to earn a living. I hope to get treatment to be able to go back to my Jua-Kali work and feed my family

$979raised
Fully funded