Benjamin OrthliebMONTHLY DONOR
Benjamin's Story

Benjamin joined Watsi on March 12th, 2013. Seven years ago, Benjamin joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Benjamin's most recent donation traveled 8,800 miles to support Chhoeun, a 53-year-old mother and farmer from Cambodia, to fund cataract surgery so that she can see well again.

Impact

Benjamin has funded healthcare for 446 patients in 16 countries.

All patients funded by Benjamin

Chhoeun is a 53-year-old rice farmer. She and her husband have one son who is a student. Her husband is a security guard. At home, Chhoeun likes to listen to the news and movies on TV. Two years ago, Chhoeun developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision and frequent tearing. She finds it difficult to work outside in the rice paddies in the bright sun and struggles to see where she is going in low light. When Chhoeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On October 13th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and implant an intraoccular lens in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Chhoeun says, "I hope my vision will improve enough so that I can get around on my own, and can go to the rice field and plant."

9%funded
$25raised
$228to go

Getrude is a farmer, a widow, and a mother of five grown children. Her two sons are in small scale business, while her three daughters are married and practice small scale farming themselves. Although Getrude lost her husband 20 years ago, she has been able to raise her children by her small scale farming work. She earns an extra income through weaving mats, but is not in a position to pay her upcoming hospital bill. For three years, Getrude has been experiencing lower abdominal pain and other difficult symptoms. She shared that after suffering unbearable pain, she decided to seek health assistance. She visited Karoli Lwanga Hospital Nyakibale, where she was diagnosed with a premalignant cervical lesion. If her condition is not treated, chances are that the lesion may become cancerous. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $219 to fund Getrude's surgery. On September 13th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Getrude will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Getrude says, “I hope I will get better once I am treated. I wish to continue with farming and sustain my family.”

52%funded
$115raised
$104to go

Sok Leang is a 53-year-old vendor of traditional Khmer cakes. She is married with one son and two daughters. She lives with her family; her husband works at a TV station and her children are students. When not baking cakes or caring for her family, she enjoys listening to the news on the radio and watching movies on TV. One year ago, Sok Leang developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision, photophobia, and tearing. She has trouble using her oven to cook because she cannot read the dials. She shared that she feels embarrassed and has stopped cooking the delicious Khmer cakes that she had previously sold in front of her house. When Sok Leang learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for one hour seeking treatment. On October 19th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and place an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Sok Leang said: "I hope after surgery my right eye can see better. I want to be able to go outside and make cakes for sale."

3%funded
$10raised
$243to go

Misgana is a 15-month-old girl from Ethiopia. She is a happy and friendly baby. She has one older sister she loves to play with, and she also loves playing with her dolls. Her mom makes injera (a traditional Ethiopian food) for a living. She brings her two daughters along with her to work because she has no one to look after them while she is away. Misgana's dad is a farmer and they live in a rented house. Misgana was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. She needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Misgana underwent emergency colostomy surgery at BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM) and now needs to have her next stage of treatment to fully heal. Her mom shared how difficult this has been on their family psychologically and that they cannot afford Misgana's medical bill. Fortunately, Misgana is now scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her condition on July 7th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Misgana's procedure and care. After her recovery, Misgana will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing related health complications in the future. Her mom says “I hope my child will heal and grow. I want her to learn about God. And I wish she will get a good education and become a teacher.”

$1,500raised
Fully funded

John is an adorable 1-month-old infant from Haiti. He lives with his parents and older sister John has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, John has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, John will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $897 to cover the cost of John's surgery at Hospital Bernard Mevs, which will treat his hydrocephalus. This is the only site in the country where this care is currently available. The procedure is scheduled to take place on August 11th. This critical treatment will drain the excess fluid from John's brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, John will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. His family share that they are happy to have this early intervention to prevent brain damage from the hydrocephalus.

44%funded
$399raised
$498to go

Phally is a 49-year-old rice farmer who is married and has two daughters. Phally lives with her husband who is a construction worker. At home she likes to watch movies on TV. When she was 20-years-old, Phally developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her tearing, a burning sensation, and discomfort with her appearance. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Phally learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled there hoping for treatment. Phally needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $225. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for June 13th. Phally says, "I hope after surgery my eye stops burning and I feel comfortable returning to the fields to work."

$225raised
Fully funded

Hnin is a determined 5-year-old girl from Burma. In her free time, she likes to draw pictures. Hnin lives with her grandmother and brother in Mon State. She goes to kindergarten, her brother goes to primary school, and her grandmother is a washerwoman. Hnin's parents, who work as day laborers in Thailand, also send them money every month to help support basic needs. Hnin was born with club foot of her left leg. With the help of Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), she underwent casting at Mawlawmyine Christian Leprosy Hospital (MCLH) to straighten her foot. Hnin's family was told to bring her back when she was five years old as she would need another surgery to fully correct her clubfoot. Currently, Hnin still has a cast on her left leg. When she walks, she walks on the side of her left foot. Because of this, she cannot play on the playground or keep up with her friends. Without treatment, Hnin's condition will continue to cause her discomfort and will further limit her movement. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of surgery for Hnin, which is scheduled to take place on November 18th. This procedure will elongate her Achilles tendon, allowing increased motion at the ankle joint. Hnin said, “My left leg is so heavy with the cast, but I am not scared to have the operation on my leg. I want to have surgery."

57%funded
$856raised
$644to go

Nelvis is a very playful baby boy and the only child in his family. He was born when his mother was still a student in secondary school, form three. She had to take a break from her studies for some time to take care of her newborn baby. They do not receive any support from his father. Early this year, she resumed schooling and Nelvis is under the care of her aunt. When he was born, Nelvis' mother first noticed that something seemed different for Nelvis and his aunt also shared the concern. Nelvis’ grandmother advised them to bring him to BethanyKids Hospital for treatment. Upon arrival, he was examined and diagnosed with cryptorchidism where one or both of the testes fail to descend. The medical team has recommended surgery to cure his condition. If left untreated, Nelvis has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Nelvis will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on June 21st. Now, Nelvis and his family need help raising $646 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Nelvis' mother says, “When I learned that my son needed surgery, I was very much worried and stressed out as I have no money to cater for the surgery.”

$646raised
Fully funded

Editha is the eldest from a family of six children. She lives with her parents, and although she wishes to depend on herself, her condition has made it hard for her. From childhood, Editha has a health condition that causes her to lose consciousness once in a while. Earlier this year, Editha was preparing food when she lost consciousness and fell on the stove and burned her face. She was rushed to the hospital where she received treatment for the open wounds. The wounds healed but left her face impacted. She has been living this way for months because her family did not know that she could be treated and improve her condition. It is hard to open her left eye and due to the burn scars on her face, her self-esteem has been affected. Editha is a brave and resilient young woman, she even had to travel over 1000 km on her own to get to our health center. She requires surgery to help with her face scar condition, but cannot afford to pay for the surgery. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Editha receive treatment. On October 19th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help her open her eye completely, and live a comfortable life. Now, she needs help to fund this $874 procedure. Editha says, “It has been a while since I was burned but now, I am grateful that there is hope for treatment.”

$874raised
Fully funded

Evalyn is a 51-year-old farmer living in Uganda. She shared with us that she had to drop out of school at a young age, because her family did not have the money to pay for the school fees but she has worked hard to make a good life for her and her family. Five years ago, Evalyn's husband died, leaving her without the support she needs to care for the four children that are still living at home. She has two older children are grown up and now married. Three years ago, Evalyn began to experience troubling symptoms, including swelling in her neck, and difficulty with swallowing and breathing. Evalyn was seen by doctors at the Karoli Lwanga Hospital in Nyakibale, where she was diagnosed with a goiter, which needs to be surgically removed to prevent her symptoms from worsening. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Evalyn receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on May 17th, when doctors will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. Evalyn and her family are seeking $252 to fund her procedure. Evalyn says: "As a widow, I'm finding it hard to raise money for my surgery. I will be delighted if you support me so that I can resume farming and provide for my family."

$252raised
Fully funded

Kembabazi is a 33 year old mother of three, living in Uganda. She sells roasted maize during the day, and also works at a hotel in the evening, in order to take care of her children and her aging parents, with whom she lives. As she is separated from her husband, she is the sole support for her family, and she works hard to realize her dream of making sure that her children receive a good education. Five years ago, Kembabazi began to experience troubling symptoms, including shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. Additionally, she can hardly turn her neck to either side. After a visit to the doctor, she was diagnosed with a multinodular goiter, for which she needs surgery, to keep her symptoms from worsening. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Kembabazi to get the care that she needs. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on September 27th at Karoli Lwanga Hospital, Nyakibale, at which time surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. Kembabazi and her family need your help to raise the $252 needed to pay for this procedure. Kembabazi says: “I have hopes that I will get well after I am given your support to undergo my surgery.”

18%funded
$46raised
$206to go

Neima is an adorable 16-month-old baby from Ethiopia. She loves to play and eat with her mother! She has an older sister who is eight years old. To support their family, her father works as a farmer and her mother manages their household. Neima was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. She needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Her family has taken her to different hospitals seeking treatment, resulting in them using all of their savings. This left them unable to fund her needed treatments, so Neima went without a colostomy for one year. This led to her experiencing difficulty eating, only taking breast milk and liquids. She eventually developed bowel obstruction because of her condition, and an emergency colostomy was done. However, she now needs to undergo another procedure to eliminate her bowel dysfunction. Fortunately, Neima is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her condition on August 1st. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Neima's procedure and care. After her recovery, Neima will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Her mother shares, “For my child, I am so hopeful that she will completely heal, and I will celebrate her birthday with my whole family. I will educate her, and I have hope that she will be a teacher or a doctor.”

$1,500raised
Fully funded