Watsi

Success! Emmanuel from Kenya raised $483 to fund surgery for his birth condition.

100%

$483 raised, $0 to go

$483

raised

to go

Fully funded

Emmanuel's treatment was fully funded on August 1, 2022.

Emmanuel's story
Emmanuel's update

Photo of Emmanuel post-operation

August 8, 2022

Emmanuel underwent life-changing surgery for his birth condition.

Emmanuel successfully underwent treatment for his condition and was able to return home once he was stable. With this treatment, he is now safe from infection and complications, and can now grow up healthy like his brother.

His mother appreciated all the support and shared: “I am happy my son had successful surgery. Thanks for the support. At least now he can grow up like other boys.”

Emmanuel successfully underwent treatment for his condition and was able to return home once he was stable. With this treatment, he is now s...

May 25, 2022

Emmanuel is a quiet and calm seven-year-old. He is in grade one in primary school and has a younger brother. Emmanuel’s father works at a construction site, and his mother helps others around their homes.

Emmanuel was born with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. His parents brought him to Nazareth Hospital, where the doctors performed an ultrasound and recommended Emmanual undergo bilateral orchidopexy surgery. If the condition is left untreated, Emmanuel has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future.

Fortunately, Emmanuel will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). On May 26th, he will undergo corrective surgery. AMH is requesting $483 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care.

Emmanuel’s mother said, “I was shocked to realize that I did not know my boy had a problem. We cannot pay for his surgery, and we are kindly requesting help from well-wishers. We hope to see our son healthy so that he can grow up like his brother.”

Emmanuel is a quiet and calm seven-year-old. He is in grade one in primary school and has a younger brother. Emmanuel's father works at a co...

Submitted by

Learn more

Emmanuel's case was submitted by Edward Mugane at African Mission Healthcare.

Emmanuel's Timeline

May 25, 2022
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Emmanuel was submitted by Edward Mugane, Impact Assessment Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.
May 25, 2022
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Emmanuel's profile was published to start raising funds.
May 26, 2022
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Emmanuel received treatment at Nazareth Hospital in Kenya. 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.
August 1, 2022
FULLY FUNDED
Emmanuel's treatment was fully funded.
August 8, 2022
TREATMENT UPDATE
Emmanuel's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Share Emmanuel's story

Funded by 1 donor

Treatment

Nazareth - Orchidopexy

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $483 for Emmanuel's treatment

Hospital Fees

$365

Medical Staff

Medication

Supplies

$56

Labs

$30

Other

$23

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Normally, before a baby boy is born, the testicles move into the scrotum (the sac that holds the testicles). Sometimes, one or both testicles stay in the body cavity instead of moving into the scrotum. This is called undescended testicles or cryptorchidism. An orchidopexy is an operation to lower the testicles into the scrotum. A patient may need to have this operation on one or both testicles.

What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

Ideally, the surgery should be performed before a child reaches two years old. Left untreated, this condition can lead to infertility. The higher temperature inside the body can affect sperm production. Men with both testicles affected are more likely to experience fertility-related issues than men with only one affected testicle. This condition can also cause inguinal hernia, in which the intestine protrudes through a weakened area in the abdominal wall. Only surgery can correct this condition, which can otherwise result in intestinal damage or death. Finally, this condition is a risk factor for testicular cancer. If surgery is performed early, this risk is limited.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

Undescended testis is the most common birth anomaly in boys. This condition is present in about 1-4.5% of newborns, with a higher incidence in premature babies (30-45%). Unilateral undescended testis is four times more likely than bilateral.

Process
Impact on patient's life
Risks and side-effects
Accessibility
Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

After surgery, the patient will stay in the hospital for an average of three days. The patient is continually monitored.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

Treatment will reduce the risk of infertility, inguinal hernia, and testicular cancer.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

This condition is very treatable, and the procedure is low-risk.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

There are few quality care centers in the region. Hospitals lack adequate resources and expertise to treat this condition.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

An alternative to surgery is to use synthetic hormones that encourage the testicle to move into the scrotum. Hormone therapy is only recommended if the child’s testicle(s) are close to the scrotum. However, hormone therapy is not commonly available in Kenya. According to the guidelines published by the American Urological Association in May 2014, orchidopexy is the most successful therapy to relocate the testis into the scrotum. Hormone therapy is not recommended.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Alex is an 11-year-old pupil from Kenya who is the elder of two siblings. His mother is a housewife while his father works as a casual laborer at construction sites. Due to his clubfoot, which causes his left foot to be twisted out of shape, Alex tiptoes when he walks, cannot walk for long distances, and currently stays home with his mother. He has difficulty walking and wearing shoes. Fortunately, Alex and his family traveled to visit our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, where surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on March 14th. African Mission Healthcare Foundation is requesting $1,286 to help support Alex's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk comfortably and return to school. “I am appealing for support from well-wishers to help my son undergo surgery and I will appreciate it,” Alex's mother said.

19% funded

19%funded

$256raised

$1,030to go

Bora is a rice farmer from Kampot province, known for its famous Kampot pepper. She has three sons, one daughter, and two grandchildren. Currently, she lives with her husband who is also a rice farmer. In her free time, she likes to grow vegetables around her home to supplement the family diet and sell them at the market. About one year ago, Bora developed chronic tearing in her eyes. It is difficult for her to see well, and her vision has become blurry. She is unable to perform daily activities due to her vision and feels poorly. Fortunately, doctors from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. Her nasal passageways are not properly draining tear liquid from her eyes, and she has also developed polyps - non-cancerous growths in the lining of the nasal passage. This tear duct build-up can lead to infection. Bora has been diagnosed with bilateral lacrimal sac obstruction and needs a polypectomy and dacryocystorhinostomy, which will be performed on January 19th. She now needs help to pay for the $397 procedure, which will include the surgery, hospitalization, and her medications. Bora shared: "I hope after surgery my both eyes will stop tearing, and I will able to easily to do all my work and see everything better than before."

25% funded

25%funded

$100raised

$297to go

Emmanuel is a six and half years old child from Ruaka in Kiambu County, Kenya. He is in the 1st grade and his mother says he loves going to school and playing with friends. He is the first born in a family of two children being raised by their single mother, who is separated from her husband. For the last two years, Emmanuel has been suffering from recurrent tonsillitis, difficult in swallowing, sleeping snoring and even has difficulty hearing. He has been taken to different hospitals but the tonsils reoccur. The mother brought him to Nazareth and after failed treatment the ENT Surgeon advised Adenotonsillectomy. If not treated, complications may occur like otitis media (middle ear infection), abscess and even rheumatic fever (heart complications). Emmanuel's family needs $565 to pay for the surgery. “I have not had peace for the last two years; visiting many hospitals but my child continues to suffer. I am requesting for help so that he and I can be back to our normal lives,” said Emmanuel’s mother.

44% funded

44%funded

$250raised

$315to go