Meet Smaha

Success! Smaha from Haiti raised $1,500 to fund prep for cardiac surgery.

Photo of Smaha post-operation
$1,500
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Smaha's treatment was fully funded on August 2, 2019.
  • Smaha's story
  • Smaha's update
May 1, 2019
June 21, 2019

During the procedure, a catheter was inserted into Smaha's heart and a device was used to plug the hole. She should now be able to lead a no...

Read more

Smaha's Timeline

  • May 1, 2019
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Smaha was submitted by Owen Robinson, Executive Director at International Cardiac Alliance

  • May 3, 2019
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Smaha received treatment at St. Francis Hospital in United States. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.

  • May 4, 2019
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Smaha's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • June 21, 2019
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Smaha's treatment was successful. Read the update

  • August 2, 2019
    FULLY FUNDED

    Smaha's treatment was fully funded.

Funded by 43 donors

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

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."

$646raised
$525to go