Rushoroza Hospital

Robinah is a 57-year-old hard-working mother of two children from Uganda. Robinah is a widow, and both she and her adult children work as small-scale farmers in Rukiga District. For years, Robinah has been waking up each morning to tend her food crops, her hands and heart full of commitment and strength to work for her family. Despite her family's low income, Robinah has always worked hard to provide for them. Two years ago, Robinah started experiencing troubling symptoms, which started with abdominal pain. It was nothing sharp or urgent, just a quiet discomfort and occasional spotting. She thought the symptoms would go away, but the pain persisted. Sometimes she would be okay for a while, and then it would come back, even more intense. Robinah decided to seek medical care from a local health center, but was sent home with little more than pain medication. No diagnosis, no answers. Her condition worsened to the point that she could not go to her farm. Providing for the family was left to her children, who also had their own families. Desperate and running out of options, Robinah made her way to Rushoroza Hospital, borrowing transport money from her village cooperative. At Rushoroza Hospital, she was diagnosed with uterine fibroids, non-cancerous tumors that grow in the uterus. Doctors have recommended a Total Abdominal Hysterectomy (TAH), a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $319 to fund Robinah's surgery. On March 10th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at Rushoroza Hospital. Once recovered, Robinah will be able to resume her daily activities free of her painful symptoms. Robinah says, "I feel like I have lost my self-esteem. What I wish is to heal, live a healthy life, and continue taking care of myself."

Jeremiah is a two-year-old baby boy born to humble small-scale farmers in Uganda. Since birth, Jeremiah has been suffering from hydrocele, a collection of fluid in the scrotal sac, which causes it to swell. The condition has been causing him much discomfort and pain, especially when playing with other children his age. As the condition persisted, Jeremiah’s mother became increasingly worried about his health and future well-being. Determined to seek help for her son despite the family’s financial hardships, she brought him to our medical partner's care center, Rushoroza Hospital for assessment. Jeremiah needs to undergo a hydrocelectomy, a surgery to correct the condition and prevent future complications. Doctors have explained that if the hydrocele is not treated in time, the accumulated fluid may later become infected and could expose Jeremiah to serious complications such as testicular torsion, chronic pain, and health problems that may interfere with his growth and development. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Jeremiah receive treatment. On June 2nd, he will undergo hydrocele repair surgery to restore his health, relieve pain, and help him grow into a healthy child like his peers. Now, Jeremiah's family needs help to fund this $220 procedure. His mother says, “Every mother dreams of seeing her child healthy and happy. I pray for support, so that my son can receive treatment and grow without pain.”

Novence is a 16-year-old girl from Kabale District, Uganda. She lives with her parents, who are small-scale farmers, and her five younger siblings, who attend primary school. Novence enjoys studying and has a vision and mission of becoming a nurse. About a year ago, Novence developed swelling around her umbilical region. Her parents took her to a health center, but the health center was unable to provide a diagnosis. At first, the swelling was small and painless, and Novence and her family continued to monitor the situation. But over time, the pain increased to the point where Novence could no longer help her parents in the fields. So far, she has been determined to continue her studies, but the condition is becoming more and more painful. Novence's family has also become increasingly worried, as they have never seen anyone with this condition. Recently, a friend of Novence's mother told her about our partner's medical care center, Rushoroza Hospital. The family travelled to the hospital, where Novence finally received a diagnosis of an umbilical hernia. Without surgery, she will continue to suffer, and the condition could get worse. Fortunately, on February 10th, Novence will undergo hernia repair surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $170 to fund her surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and confidently, and to attend school without pain. Novence's mother shares, "Truly, if it were not for my friend, then no one would have shown me the way to Rushoroza Hospital. I pray that we may have a chance to be helped, and I believe that my daughter will undergo a successful surgery."

Francisco is an 11-year-old boy from Uganda. Born as one of triplets, Francisco has two sisters who live with their mother, while he lives with his grandfather. His mother sells fresh vegetables in the community to support her children, while his grandfather is a subsistence farmer. Despite the family’s determination to care for Francisco, his health condition has become a major concern. His grandfather recently brought him to our medical partner's care center, Rushoroza Hospital, after noticing that his right testicle was still undescended. Following careful medical assessment and examination at the hospital, doctors have recommended corrective surgery to treat his condition, and provide him the opportunity to grow into a healthy and productive young man. Unfortunately, Francisco’s grandfather is financially overwhelmed and unable to meet the required medical expenses for surgery, medications, investigations, hospitalization, and follow-up care. Besides caring for Francisco, he is currently responsible for supporting eleven other dependents within the family. The little income earned from small-scale farming is often not enough to provide for the family’s basic needs, let alone raise funds for specialized medical treatment. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Francisco receive treatment. On May 12th, he will undergo surgery that will not only get him healthier, but also restore hope to his elderly grandfather. Now, Francisco's family needs help to fund this $220 procedure. Francisco's grandfather says, “I am doing everything I can to care for my grandson and the many children depending on me, but I cannot afford the surgery he urgently needs. I humbly ask kind-hearted people to support Francisco, so that he can grow up healthy and free from his condition. May God bless everyone who stands with us.”

Doreen is a 35-year-old mother who lives in Uganda with her husband and their two children. Doreen completed postsecondary studies in records management and now runs a small-scale general merchandise business. Her husband is a qualified nurse and is volunteering at a health center while searching for a permanent position. Doreen enjoys managing her business, and her favourite food is Irish potatoes in bean sauce. Doreen is currently expecting her third child. Throughout her pregnancy, Doreen has been receiving antenatal care at health clinics, but had her final antenatal appointment at our partner's medical care center, Rushoroza Hospital. Though her pregnancy has been going well, Doreen is worried about delivery, and her parents say that she has been praying hard for her and her baby to be safe. Doctors recommend that Doreen deliver via a caesarean section because of a high-risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Doreen undergo a C-Section on February 6th. This procedure will cost $214, and Doreen needs your support. Doreen says, "I am appealing to donors and request to be helped because I am not financially stable and the little support we get at home is from my small business and from my small gardens. I pray that at least I also get assisted through surgery."

Ronald is a 29-year old hardworking young man from Uganda. After completing Primary 7, he had to drop out of school due to financial challenges. Thereafter, he received a hands-on training in brick making, a craft that he earns income from, currently. Ronald enjoys his work, and hopes that one day he will get a family and be able to care for them through it. Two months ago, Ronald noticed a small, intermittent swelling that was accompanied by pain, especially while he was working. At first, the pain was not too intense, so he brushed it off. Recently, however, the swelling increased in size and was more painful, affecting his work. At a nearby clinic, he was given painkillers that helped for a few days. His condition worsened, and he decided to seek care at our medical partner's care center, Rushoroza Hospital. After a review, he was diagnosed with a right inguinal hernia, a condition that occurs when tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the lower abdominal muscles into the groin area. Ronald needs surgery treatment to prevent his symptoms from getting worse. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Ronald receive treatment. On February 26th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery, relieving his symptoms and allowing him to live a healthier life. Now, Ronald needs help to fund this $170 procedure. He says, “I hope to find relief from this health challenge. I hope to receive treatment through the surgery that has been recommended, and resume my brick-making activities, so I can take good care of myself."

Betty is a 46-year-old widow from Uganda. She lives with her two children and works on her small farm near the Uganda-Rwanda border, growing crops to provide food for her family. While she was still young, Betty's leg had to be amputated following a snake bite. This makes it challenging for her to work optimally and provide for her family. Betty started experiencing uncomfortable gynecological symptoms including abdominal pain which worsened over time, making it very difficult for her to continue work on her farm. She initially sought help from a local health center where she was given painkillers that didn't offer much relief. Over time, her symptoms intensified and she decided to seek help at our medical partner's medical center, Rushoroza Hospital. Betty has been diagnosed with uterine fibroids, which are non-cancerous tumors that grow in the uterus. Betty needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a surgery to remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $319 to fund Betty's surgery. On April 30th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at Rushoroza Hospital. Once recovered, Betty will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain and discomfort. Betty shares, "I pray to the Almighty God to help and have mercy on me so that I am able to get the recommended surgery, and I pray that I will get better through this surgery."

Dorah is a 33-year-old mother from Uganda. She grew up farming with her family. Dorah and her husband are currently expecting the birth of their second child. Due to Dorah's experience of a miscarriage and previous complications during pregnancy, doctors have recommended that Dorah deliver via a caesarean section to ensure the safety of Dorah and her child. Dorah is scheduled for a C-section on April 30th with the help of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. This procedure will cost $214, and Dorah needs your help. Dorah shares, "I have followed all the medical advice because I want my baby to be safe. After losing one pregnancy, I fear going through that pain again. I kindly ask for support so that I can undergo this operation and deliver my baby safely. Your help will mean life to my child and me."

Romina is a 36-year-old mother from Uganda. She and her husband support their family through small-scale farming. To supplement their income, her husband also engages in charcoal burning, a physically demanding and low-paying activity. Despite their tireless efforts, their income remains unstable. Romina has two living children, but lost her third pregnancy, an experience that has left her emotionally and physically vulnerable. Now, Romina is courageously preparing to welcome another child into her family, and her greatest hope is to safely deliver her baby and continue caring for her family. She has been receiving regular pregnancy care, but has found some of the experiences distressing due to her past loss. Fortunately, a midwife recognized that Romina would benefit from more specialized support and referred her to our partner’s medical care center, Rushoroza Hospital. At Rushoroza Hospital, Romina received a comprehensive assessment, including an ultrasound scan. Following the evaluation, her doctors recommended that she deliver via a caesarean section because of a complicated pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Romina undergo a C-Section on May 4th. This procedure will cost $214, and Romina needs your support. Romina shared, “I have gone through pain before, and I fear losing this child, too. My only wish is to safely deliver my baby and continue caring for my children. I humbly ask for your support because we have done all we can, but we cannot manage paying the bills on our own.”