Tereza is a small-scale farmer and a mother to five children. When she was young, she left school after completing primary school class one. Her father died when she was still young, so at the time her family could not proceed with her education and the school fees.
Last March, Tereza lost her husband and now she lives in their three-room mud house for shelter. Tereza shared that she sold a pig to be able to raise money to come to Rushoroza Hospital hoping for treatment.
Five years ago, Tereza began to experience troubling symptoms, including a small neck swelling that started small but has been slowly and progressively increasing in size. She is worried about the long-run results if not treated on time. She was diagnosed with a non-toxic goiter and the medical team has recommended surgery which she cannot afford. She needs the surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse.
Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Tereza receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on January 7th at our medical partner’s care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $333, and she and her family need help raising money.
Tereza says, “I hope to look normal again and get rid of my fears of the future outcomes of this goiter. I pray for a successful surgery. I will continue with farming to be able to take good care of myself and my family.”