Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital

Four years ago, Morrish developed a sharp pain and swelling in his lower right abdomen. The pain worsened whenever he dug or carried heavy loads, which were both essential to his work. He went to his local health centre seeking treatment, but the pain medication he was given brought no relief. He was then referred to another clinic, where an ultrasound scan was performed. Nothing was found, and Morrish lived in this condition for more than three years. In 2025, Morrish brought his wife back to South Sudan and decided to rebuild their life at home. The refugee crisis had reduced food rations, and with a large family to support, the move was a difficult but necessary step. He hoped to settle his family and provide for them there. After relocating, Morrish returned to farming work to support his household. But the hard labor triggered his pain once again. He tried to seek care at a local health centre, but his wife fell ill at the same time, and he stayed home to care for her until she recovered. Earlier this year, Morrish's wife attended a funeral where an announcement was made about Watsi and HHA's new surgical program. She urged him to learn more. Their family has been having a hard time financially, even paying their children's school fees had become difficult, and proper medical care had felt out of reach. A community health worker identified Morrish and arranged for him to be assessed at Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital. An ultrasound again confirmed a hernia requiring surgery. Now Morrish is raising $605 to fund the surgery that will relieve his pain and allow him to return to providing for his family. Morrish says, "I give thanks to HHA and the donor for the kind of support they are giving me. Please keep working to support others."

Timon is South Sudanese currently living in Kajo-Keji county. For the past 12 months, Timon’s journey had not been easy, due to pain and tenderness limiting movement and daily performance in his occupation and self-care. Timon took the initiative to go to the nearest health centre to seek for medical treatment and he was given some medications that reduced pain but one month later the pain came back. Due to financial challenges, he couldn’t seek better treatment to investigate what would have caused the pain and the swelling. Timon shared that in addition to the pain and discomfort, this condition has also caused a financial burden, stigma, and affected his confidence, relationships, and social participation. His chronic pain resulted to feelings of helplessness that reduced the ability to work and provide for his family. Timon learned about HHA's surgical program in partnership with Watsi through their community disability chairperson. He was taken to Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital where he was assessed and the surgical team shared that he needs hernia surgery to heal. Timon is requesting support of $605 to fund his treatment. He shared,"My thanks to the organisation and my donors for the support given."

Zaida’s pain started five years ago on her right leg causing paralysis in her right foot. This caused limitation in movement, her occupation of digging, and socialization became hard. It has not been easy for Zaida’s work, or her emotional and physical wellbeing due to the pain and the gap created in the family since she no longer is able to support them. Due to limitation of financial struggles, she couldn't seek for proper medical attention, and has depended on pain medication. She heard about potential surgical services from her community leader in Rimbe Parish who made awareness about HHA's collaboration with Watsi to fund care. Zaida needs help raising $605 to fund her hernia repair surgery. She shared, "Thank you HHA and my donors for the support."

Ayimani's hernia started during childhood back in 1979 when he was in exile in South Sudan during the early wars of Uganda. For years he's experienced mild pain, including back pain which affects his occupation of farming and other aspects of his day to day life. He shared that he hasn't gone to the hospital before due to a mix of financial challenges and not understanding what his condition was. Finally in 2025, he heard about a surgical program from a community leader that may be able to help. He's grateful to be considered for the program. Ayimani was brought to Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital and the medical team confirmed that he needs hernia repair surgery to heal. Now, he is raising $605 to fund his treatment. Ayiman says: "I thank the organization and the donor for all of this support and may Allah bless you."

Munsdari is a 45-year-old man from Uganda, and a father of 11 children. He works as a farmer to provide for his family. In 2008, Munsdari started experiencing pain in his abdomen. He visited a local health center but did not follow through with medical investigations due to financial challenges. Recently, he started experiencing back pain as well, and farming on his land, an activity that he had engaged in for years, has become difficult. Munsdari learnt about Watsi's surgical support program from a community leader and decided to seek medical assistance. He was referred to our medical partner's care center, Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital, where we was diagnosed with an inguinal scrotal hernia, a condition where abdominal tissue protrude through a weak spot in the abdominal wall and extend down into the scrotal sac. He needs surgery to prevent his symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, Hope Health Action (HHA), is helping Munsdari receive treatment. He will undergo hernia repair surgery to treat his condition, allowing him a healthier life. Now, Munsdari needs help to fund this $605 procedure. He says, "Thank you HHA and the donors for your support."

Maneno's condition began 12 years ago with a sharp pain around her umbilical area, accompanied by stomach tightness and back pain. The pain has made her work increasingly difficult. She earns her living through farming, digging, and running a small business selling tomatoes and onions. This requires her to lift heavy loads. Maneno traveled to Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital three times seeking medical attention. Doctors provided an ultrasound, which confirmed a hernia that requires surgery to heal. But, she shared that the cost was always beyond her reach, especially with eight children to care for. Earlier this year, Maneno heard about a new surgical program being announced in her community. A community health worker had spread the word, and she was identified as one of the patients who might be eligible to receive care. Maneno returned to Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital, where her hernia diagnosis was confirmed and surgery was recommended by the medical team. She is now raising $605 to fund the operation and hopes to be free from pain and focused on her children moving forward. Maneno says, "Thanks to HHA and the donor for the support that they are giving."

Aisha's hernia began in 2014 with sharp pain around her umbilical area, leading to back pain and general body weakness. She earns her living through digging, farming and selling any surplus in vegetables, but the pain has made working more challenging. Aisha walked a long distance to Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital to seek medical attention. She was initially given pain medication, but after a short time the pain returned, and she was left without a real solution. Earlier this year, a community health worker brought news of a surgical program to her area, and Aisha was identified as one of the patients who could benefit. Community health workers are often the bridge between rural patients and the care they urgently need and without their outreach, Aisha may never have learned that surgery was within reach. Aisha is raising $605 on Watsi to fund the operation that will relieve her pain and allow her to return to her work and her family. Aisha says, "Thank you to HHA, and the donor, for the support of surgery offered. I pray that all whom their procedures help should stay alive."

James's condition began five years ago with a sharp pain in his right thigh that radiated up toward his chest. The pain has kept him from farming, his usual work, and made it increasingly difficult to support his family. James traveled to a nearby hospital seeking medical attention and was referred to a local health centre for further evaluation. When he arrived, the doctors were away at a two-day meeting and he was unable to be seen. Without the finances to cover transport and treatment costs, James did not return, and he bore the pain on his own for years. Fortunately, earlier this year, community-based rehabilitation workers brought news of a surgical program to James's area. He was identified as a patient who could benefit and was taken to Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital, where he was reviewed and confirmed to have a hernia requiring surgery. He now needs $605 to fund his operation. James told us, "Thank you for the support. May God bless you and give you more energy to support others."

Loke is a 50-year-old hard-working farmer who is currently living in Bidi Bidi Refugee settlement in Uganda, due to the outbreak of the war in South Sudan. He is a father of eight children. Loke's condition started about three years ago with a swelling in his groin area, and he went to a hospital in South Sudan. He was assessed and given some medications, but this only provided temporary relief. While at the refugee settlement, he was still experiencing pain and he took the initiative to go to the nearest health centre to seek medical attention. He was provided medication, again, but this still didn't help much. Early this year, Loke heard about the surgical support program through Watsi and our partner Hope Health Action (HHA), and he went to Yumbe Regional Referral, for assessment. Loke has been diagnosed with an inguinal hernia, a condition that occurs when abdominal tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the lower abdominal muscles, causing a bulge in the groin area. Doctors have recommended hernia repair surgery. Fortunately, Loke is scheduled to undergo hernia repair surgery at Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital. Our medical partner, HHA, is requesting $605 to fund Loke's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live a healthier life. Loke says, "I thank HHA and the donors for the help that they have given me."

Kija is a 30-year-old farmer from South Sudan who lives currently with her family in the Bidbid Refugee settlement in Uganda. Ten years ago, Kija started to experience swelling in her abdomen, pain, and discomfort, affecting her ability to perform her daily tasks. Kija was diagnosed with an umbilical hernia and needs surgery to address her symptoms and prevent other health complications. Kija was referred to our medical partner, Hope Health Action, for treatment. Fortunately, on May 20th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery. She needs help raising $604 to fund her procedure and care, so she can live a healthier, more comfortable life. Kija says, "Thank you to the donors and HHA for the support they have given me. I look forward to recovering soon so I can go back to farming."

Kila is 50 years old and a farmer from South Sudan. She is a widow and a mother of five children who works hard to make sure that there is food on the table for her children. She also sells pancakes to help supplement her farming. In 2021, Kila was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia. It started with a swelling in her stomach, accompanied by pain. She had difficulty eating and experienced vomiting. Kila was referred to our medical partner's care center, Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital, where she will undergo hernia repair surgery on May 18th. Our medical partner, Hope Health Action, is requesting $605 to fund Kila's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live a healthier life. Kila says, "I am grateful to the donors and HHA for the support. I hope to go back to my farm and sell pancakes so I can support my family."

Sakabe is Isaac is two-year-old boy who lives with his parents in South Sudan. He is a very sociable child, and loves playing with his siblings and friends in the neighborhood. When he was about five months old, Sakabe's mother noticed that he was crying a lot, and she could not figure out why. She took him to a health center where Sakabe was prescribed some medication, and for six months, all seemed well. Earlier this year, Sakabe started experiencing pain in his inguinal area, was crying more, and didn't want to play with his friends. He also lost all interest in talking. His mother took him to hospital again, and Sakabe was diagnosed with an inguinal scrotal hernia, a condition where abdominal tissue protrude through a weak spot in the abdominal wall and extend down into the scrotal sac. Doctors recommended surgery, but Sakabe's family could not afford the required fees. Recently, Sakabe's mother heard about a surgical support program from a community leader. She brought Sakabe to Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital for assessment, and he was scheduled for hernia repair surgery. Our medical partner, Hope Health Action, is requesting $605 to fund Sakabe's treatment, which once completed, will hopefully allow him to live a healthier life. Sakabe's mother says, "I give thanks to the donor and HHA for the support. My wish is that the organization keeps growing."