Hi Email,

I hope you’re having a wonderful summer. I'm just back from a few unplugged days with my family, and the distance helped me reflect on how much our Watsi community has already made possible this year.

Before we head into the second half, I wanted to share three quick wins, lessons we're learning, and a small ask that can help even more patients get the care they need.

First, a few wins to celebrate together:

• Together, Watsi supporters made May our biggest month of patient funding since 2017. We sent $242,409 to our medical partners around the world so patients could receive surgery and get back to school, work, and fuller lives. What I love is that this is exactly our mission in action, with every dollar going directly, transparently, and efficiently toward patient care.
• More patients, in more places. This year, we’ve welcomed new hospital partners in India, Uganda, Kenya, and Mali, and added a new program country, Burundi , expanding access to care for people who otherwise have nowhere to turn.
• One act of generosity inspired something remarkable. Our team recently traveled through Uganda with our partner African Mission Healthcare. Thanks to one donor, we were able to support our first week-long surgical campaign for mothers injured during childbirth. In just five days, 33 women who had waited years finally received care. They put their trust and hope in Watsi, having heard about treatment through community health workers, churches, radio, WhatsApp, and former patients.

But also some challenges (and a small ask 🙏):

• Growing sustainably takes constant work. Patient funding has remained strong, but one of our biggest challenges is to reach new supporters, companies, and foundations.
  
  Over the long weekend, my brother-in-law passed along the book Humankind. In it, I read about Jonathan Haidt’s early work on “elevation”. This is the feeling we experience when we witness an act of kindness and are inspired to pass it on and do even more ourselves, too. That feeling is at the heart of this community. It's one of the true joys of leading this work.
  
  So, my ask: let's make more elevation possible in our world. If Watsi has meant something to you, would you consider sharing it? This could be a short LinkedIn or Reddit post, a conversation over coffee, or simply forwarding this email to someone who might care too. I've seen it time and again, personal stories and introductions are the most meaningful way Watsi grows. If you're looking for inspiration, here are two beautiful examples from our community on LinkedIn and on Medium. (Thank you, Tracy and Chris!)
• We’re still learning and experimenting. One thing we're always trying to learn and get right is how to grow thoughtfully. This spring we launched our India Surgery Fund, and while we're thrilled to already be supporting patients and working alongside an incredible hospital partner, we're still looking for the first wave of supporters who want to help us build something lasting there.
  
  If someone comes to mind who cares about healthcare in India or simply loves helping early ideas gain momentum, I would genuinely appreciate an introduction.

As I write this, millions of people are gathering around the things that make summer feel so much like summer. Wimbledon and the World Cup, concerts in the park, neighborhood festivals. There’s something so special about people sharing the same moment together.

“Collective Effervescence” ✨

That’s what our community reminds me of today!

Thank you for being with us. Looking back at just the first half of 2026, I'm amazed by what we've already accomplished together and excited for what's ahead.

As always, if you have any feedback, questions, or ideas, I'd love to hear from you.

With gratitude,
Mackinnon
Executive Director

P.S. Sherline’s smile just came in this week from Kenya. She's healing well and is such a beautiful reminder of all we're making possible together. Thank you!