Haiti, a country known for its resilience and warmth, has grappled with crisis for far too long. The country's healthcare system is strained by poverty, political instability, and natural disasters - and is reaching a breaking point. Access to basic medical care is now a luxury, and...
...the need for solidarity is greater than ever.
As Dr. Jean Pape, an infectious disease doctor working in Haiti for over 40 years, recently shared in the New York Times, "Today is different." The medical system is on the brink of collapse and the world needs to pay attention and do more to help.
Regrettably, life-threatening conditions like hydrocephalus often go untreated due to the insurmountable obstacles posed by the shortage of resources and medical infrastructure. Worldwide, hydrocephalus affects an estimated 1 in 1,000 newborns.
1 in 1,000 newborns.
In many countries, the cure for hydrocephalus is available so children can grow up healthy and live full lives. But in Haiti, most who need this urgent care will wait and ultimately go untreated, risking their lives and futures.
Limited access to medical care often means that the families of children with hydrocephalus face impossible odds and challenges. The condition leads to the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, building increased intracranial pressure and the expansion of the brain's ventricles, exerting harmful pressure on delicate brain tissues just as they are developing for young babies and children.
Kervens, a 6-month-old baby boy, has recently been diagnosed with this condition.
Kervens lives with his parents and two brothers who all love him so deeply and want to see him grow up healthy and thrive. Despite the obstacles before him, his innocent face shines with potential - a future potential that Haiti so badly needs. However, without proper treatment, Kervens is at high risk of developing severe physical and developmental delays.
Together with our medical partners, we are deeply committed to ensuring that healthcare reaches every corner of this vibrant nation so that Kervens and no patient has to wait for the care they need to live full lives.
We've joined forces with Project Medishare, an organization deeply embedded in and led through Haitian communities, empowering and enabling people to access quality healthcare despite all odds. This remarkable organization operates two health clinics and two maternity centers in one of Haiti's most remote and underserved areas - bringing last-mile healthcare within reach for those who otherwise would be left behind.
The enduring spirit of the families we reach in Haiti are a beacon that guides our mission, inspiring us to collectively make a difference in the lives of children like Kervens, as we strive to bring healing, hope, and health to this resilient nation.
Despite the challenges, Project Medishare is pushing forward.
When we asked Nurse Jen Rogers, who helps lead our partnership serving children in Haiti, about the impact of Watsi on patients, she shared:
“It's hard to put into words the hope that Watsi has given these families. Haitian parents are facing more challenges than ever to provide for their children due to a lack of government and increasing gang violence. Watsi has been a lifeline for so many children with hydrocephalus. Many families do not have money for surgery. Without surgery, these children would suffer from seizures, pain, and eventually death. These children are now given a second chance at life. The medical team at Bernard Mevs is relieved to be able to offer a solution to families desperate for help thanks to Watsi donors. "
The cost of transforming a child's life by treating hydrocephalus is $957. This seemingly modest sum makes a lifetime of difference.
Your generous donation to a patient can provide the most precious gift of all: hope.
As we write, there are nine incredible young heroes from Haiti who are courageously battling hydrocephalus and need support on Watsi. Their families, much like Kervens', hold on to the hope that life-changing surgery will give them the best chance for a happy, healthy child, setting them on a path toward a brighter and more promising future.
We invite you to join us in making healthcare a reality for these families in need. Take a moment to explore our website and you'll have the privilege of meeting these extraordinary young heroes, reading their stories, and discovering the unbreakable spirit that resides within them.
Let this World Hydrocephalus Day be more than just an observance; let it be a tribute to the wisdom, compassion, and boundless potential that resides within each and every one of us.
In a world often marked by challenges, it's the stories of resilience and hope, like those of Kervens and his family who persevere against all odds, that remind us of the power of solidarity and collective action. Together, we can make a profound impact, extending our hands to lift these children toward a brighter, healthier, and happier future.
Your support is not just a donation; it's a testament to the enduring human spirit.
But, we don't want to stop there.
We invite you to join our mission in a more profound way. We believe that even amidst the darkest times, there are always people willing to help. Today, we introduce you to our Universal Fund—our monthly donation program that allows you to make a lasting impact, all year long.
By joining our Universal Fund, you become part of a community of 1500+ generous supporters like you committed to sustaining hope and healthcare for patients like Kervens. Their commitment and ongoing support every month ensures that our mission to bring healing, hope, and health to resilient communities continues without delay. Come join us!
The Watsi Team
Everyone deserves healthcare.