Beyene is a farmer from Ethiopia who needs $900 to fund prostate surgery.

Meet Beyene

Beyene's story

October 20, 2026

Beyene is a 65-year-old farmer from Ethiopia. He works the land alongside his wife. Together they are raising six children, four boys and two girls, all of whom are still in school.

Three years ago, Beyene started to experience troubling symptoms, which worsened over time. The symptoms affected his ability to relieve himself, disrupted his daily life, and his sleep. He was diagnosed with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), an enlargement of the prostate gland.

Physicians at our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, determined that Beyene should undergo surgery. He is scheduled for surgery on October 20th and needs help raising $900 to fund his procedure and care. Once completed, the treatment will improve Beyene’s quality of life.

Beyene shared, “I want to sleep through the night, drink water without fear, and visit my friends and family again without worrying about the night.”

Beyene is a 65-year-old farmer from Ethiopia. He works the land alongside his wife. Together they are raising six children, four boys and tw...

October 20, 2026
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Beyene was submitted by Dr Eleni Biru, Chief Program Officer at Saglan Wajee General Hospital
October 20, 2026
TREATMENT SCHEDULED
Beyene was scheduled to receive treatment at Saglan Wajee General Hospital in Ethiopia. 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.
October 20, 2026
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Beyene's profile was published to start raising funds.
TODAY
AWAITING FUNDING
Beyene is currently raising funds for his treatment.
TBD
UPDATE IN PROGRESS
Beyene's treatment update from Saglan Wajee General Hospital is in progress.

43%

$388 raised, $512 to go

Funded by 8 donors

$388

raised

$512

to go

Beyene's story

October 20, 2026

Beyene is a 65-year-old farmer from Ethiopia. He works the land alongside his wife. Together they are raising six children, four boys and two girls, all of whom are still in school.

Beyene shared, “I want to sleep through the night, drink water without fear, and visit my friends and family again without worrying about the night.”

Beyene is a 65-year-old farmer from Ethiopia. He works the land alongside his wife. Together they are raising six children, four boys and tw...

October 20, 2026
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Beyene was submitted by Dr Eleni Biru, Chief Program Officer at Saglan Wajee General Hospital
October 20, 2026
TREATMENT SCHEDULED
Beyene was scheduled to receive treatment at Saglan Wajee General Hospital in Ethiopia. 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.
October 20, 2026
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Beyene's profile was published to start raising funds.
TODAY
AWAITING FUNDING
Beyene is currently raising funds for his treatment.
TBD
UPDATE IN PROGRESS
Beyene's treatment update from Saglan Wajee General Hospital is in progress.

Funded by 8 donors

Treatment

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $900 for Beyene's treatment

Hospital Fees

$150

Medical Staff

$420

Medication

$250

Supplies

Labs

$80

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Frequent urination: Feeling the need to go every 1–2 hours. Nocturia: Waking up multiple times during the night to urinate. Urgency: A sudden, strong need to urinate that is difficult to delay. Weak stream: The urine flow is noticeably weaker or slower than it used to be. Hesitancy: Difficulty starting the urine stream, even when the bladder feels full. Intermittency: A urine stream that stops and starts several times. Dribbling: Urine continues to drip at the end of the process. Incomplete emptying: The sensation that the bladder isn't empty even after finishing.

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

Living with BPH is lifestyle-restricting condition; 1. Sleep deprivation and fatigue; waking up at night to urinate is often the most debilitating symptom. 2, Social Isolation; Living with urgency and frequency often leads to a behavior called "toilet mapping." 3, Psychological and Emotional Toll; Anxiety: The fear of a "leak" or an accident in public 4. Impact on Intimacy and Sexual Health; often overlap with sexual health concerns, Erectile Dysfunction (ED): There is a strong statistical link between the severity of urinary symptoms and the prevalence of ED, Decreased Libido: Chronic fatigue from lack of sleep and the physical discomfort of BPH can lead to a decreased interest in intimacy, Treatment Fears: Many patients delay seeking help because they fear that BPH treatments (medications or surgery) might negatively affect their sexual function.

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

BPH is shaped by a complex mix of deep-rooted traditions and logistical challenges. These factors often determine how—and when—a patient finally receives medical care. 1, The Role of Traditional Medicine (Holy Water and Herbal Remedies) 2, Dietary and Lifestyle Triggers; The heavy use of chili and spices and Khat in the community can make BPH symptoms much worse: 3. Logistical and Economic Barriers; Distance to Specialists: Urologists are mostly concentrated in general hospitals, For a rural farmer, the travel and lodging costs can be higher than the surgery itself. 4, Cultural Fears regarding Virility; A significant barrier to surgery is the fear of sexual dysfunction, many men avoid "modern" treatments because they fear it will end their ability to have children or remain intimate with their partners.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

1. Diagnostic Triage & Risk Stratification The process begins with a comprehensive evaluation to differentiate BPH from more serious conditions like prostate cancer or neurological bladder disorders. 2. Conservative Management (Watchful Waiting); "highest" level of initial care is often Active Surveillance. 3. Pharmacological Intervention; If lifestyle changes are insufficient, the patient transitions to medical therapy. This is the most common stage for patients seeking active treatment. 4, Definitive Surgical Intervention; When medications fail, or if complications like recurrent UTIs or "Acute Urinary Retention" (total blockage) occur, staff members move to surgical or minimally invasive options. These procedures involve removing the obstructing tissue through the urethra—leaving no external scars—to permanently clear the "kink" in the urinary path.

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

1. Physical Restoration and Vitality; The most immediate impact is the return of "normalcy" to the body’s basic functions. Restorative Sleep: By reducing or eliminating nocturia, patients can finally achieve uninterrupted sleep cycles. Bladder Confidence: Successful treatment removes the "hesitancy" and "straining" associated with urination 2. Social and Psychological Liberation; Patients regain the ability to go for long walks, This freedom from "bathroom anxiety" allows them to rejoin communal activities. 3. Long-Term Health Security; Treatment acts as a safeguard against more dangerous, "invisible" complications. Kidney Protection; By ensuring the bladder empties fully, treatment prevents back-pressure that can damage the kidneys over time, Infection Prevention: Eliminating "stagnant" urine in the bladder reduces the frequency of painful UTIs and the formation of bladder stones.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Medication Risks: These treatments can cause dizziness or a drop in blood pressure. Surgical Risks: Surgery is the most effective long-term solution, but it does involve a risk of bleeding. While it is normal to see some blood in the urine after the procedure, a blood transfusion may be necessary if the bleeding becomes heavy.

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

The facility is staffed by a qualified urologist, and the majority of our patients reside within the local township and surrounding areas. The hospital actively promotes its urology services through televised advertisements, Furthermore, several local health centers provide patients with comprehensive information regarding surgical options for BPH, social media engagement, and the distribution of informational leaflets.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Patients often seek relief in natural hot springs; while the warmth may temporarily relax the pelvic floor muscles, it does not address the underlying growth of the prostate gland.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

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Choeun is a 46-year-old construction worker from Cambodia. She lives in Takeo Province with her husband, who also works in construction. They have two children; a son who works as a taxi driver, and a daughter who is employed in a garment factory. She enjoys cooking for her family, and especially preparing meals for her elderly parents and husband. About a month ago, Choeun was in a road traffic accident and sustained severe soft tissue injury to her right leg. Although there was no fracture, the injured area got infected, leading to a serious wound condition diagnosed as gas gangrene. Choeun has been experiencing significant pain, swelling, and a foul-smelling discharge from the infected wound on her right leg. The condition has affected her mobility and prevented her from continuing her physically demanding construction work. When Choeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for one and half hours seeking treatment. On May 13th, surgeons at CSC will perform a debridement procedure to help remove infected and necrotic tissue, control the spread of infection, and promote wound healing to prevent further complications. Choeun and her family are able to contribute towards the cost of her treatment, but need help raising $392 more to fund the procedure. Choeun says: “I hope that this treatment will heal my leg completely, so I can live without pain, and return to my normal daily activities. I wish to regain my strength and be able to care for my family without discomfort or worry.”