Karoli Lwanga Hospital, Nyakibale

Andrew is a two-year-old boy from Uganda. He is the lastborn in a family of three children, with an older brother and sister who are both attending school. His mother is a small-scale farmer and his father earns a living through boda-boda transport. Andrew can speak a few words in his local language and is a playful and cheerful child who is just beginning to take his first steps. Since shortly after birth, Andrew has had 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. His mother was initially advised to wait and give him time to grow before further intervention. Over time, however, the swelling began to appear more frequently and worsened, affecting his ability to walk and causing him to fear movement due to pain. Recently, he has become increasingly irritable, crying frequently and vomiting after eating. Fortunately, on May 5th, Andrew will undergo hernia repair surgery with the help of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. His family is seeking support to raise $230 to fund the surgery, which will allow him to live more comfortably and pain-free. Andrew’s mother expressed, “My greatest wish is to see my son get better. If I were financially able, I would do everything possible to ensure that he undergoes the surgery. Unfortunately, at the moment, I am unable to afford the cost, yet surgery is the only option for his complete recovery. I therefore humbly seek your support.”

Hamis is a cheerful, outgoing, and confident five-year-old from Uganda. He is the middle child in his family of three, with his older brother in Primary Four and his younger sister just starting nursery school. Hamis loves exploring new things. While he was at the hospital, his curiosity was evident. Upon noticing the computers in the office, he would quietly sneak over and start pressing every button he could find. When asked about school, Hamis responded confidently and enthusiastically, proudly sharing the name of his school, teachers, and best friend. Hamis and his best friend play football, have lunch, and walk to and from school together. Academically, he is doing well and recently ranked fifth in a class of sixteen pupils. At home, Hamis is equally active and helpful. He fetches water, collects firewood, and especially enjoys washing utensils. His parents are both small-scale farmers who work hard to provide for their family. Since Hamis was four years old, he has had a hydrocele, which is a swelling in a sensitive area. Initially, it did not seem to cause any concern, but over time, the swelling continued to increase, appearing intermittently and causing him significant discomfort. As the condition worsened, Hamis complained of pain. Seeking medical help, his mother took him to a nearby hospital, where he was examined and recommended for surgery. Unfortunately, his family could not afford the cost of the procedure and were given pain medication and advised to return home. As time passed, the pain became increasingly severe. During a subsequent visit to a nearby clinic, a nurse learned of our medical partner's surgical support services available at Nyakibale Hospital and referred the family there. At Nyakibale Hospital, the surgeon explained that if the condition is left untreated, the hydrocele could become infected, potentially leading to serious complications that may affect his reproductive health in the future. Hamis needs to undergo surgery to relieve his pain and prevent further complications. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. On June 2nd, Hamis will undergo hydrocele repair surgery at AMH's care center. AMH is requesting $146 to fund Hamis's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Hamis's mother said, "It pains us so much seeing our son in pain. Being a determined child, sometimes when he says so, we think he is kidding, but it seems true that he is in pain. The only option we are given for a complete recovery is surgery, but we are unable to raise the money they need. We kindly appeal to you for support."

Shine is 29 years old and a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She grows food crops such as beans, potatoes, and maize, while her husband earns a living through brick‑making. They work hard to support their three young children. During her free time, she enjoys cooking, and her happiest moment each day is when the whole family sits together to share a meal after a long day in the fields. Shine is pregnant, and her doctors recommend that she 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 Shine undergo a C-Section on March 12th. This procedure will cost $252, and Shine needs your support. Shine says, “I lay all my hope for the success of my surgery upon you because other than that, I have nowhere to get the money they need for my surgery. I kindly appeal for your support.”

Praise is a one-year-old baby girl from Uganda. She is the second-born child in a young family. Her elder sister is currently attending a baby class at school. Her parents are small-scale farmers. Since birth, Praise has had an umbilical hernia. She was born in February last year with a swelling around her umbilicus. When her parents sought medical advice, they were informed that the condition would likely require treatment only after she was older. Since she was delivered normally and was otherwise healthy, both mother and child were discharged from the hospital in good condition. For most of her early life, Praise grew well and remained healthy. However, last month, the swelling around her umbilicus became permanent, and everything changed. Praise began crying excessively and became unusually irritable. Since she has not yet started speaking, expressing what she is feeling has been impossible. Her mother reports that she has experienced episodes of constipation and has recently lost interest in breastfeeding. She has also lost a significant amount of weight, causing great concern for her parents. When her condition worsened, Praise was rushed to the hospital as an emergency case. An ultrasound scan was performed, and an urgent surgical intervention was recommended. Fortunately, on June 2nd, she will undergo hernia repair surgery with the help of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. She needs help raising $230 to fund her surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and confidently. Praise's mother says, “It will be God's grace having your support to have our daughter operated because at home, we don’t sleep, because of pain, the child is always crying, we just don’t know what to do, but hopefully with your support, the rest will be possible by God's grace.”

Fatuma is 41 years old and a single mother of five children from Uganda. She engages in small-scale farming to support her family. Her favorite meal is mashed matooke with beef. Ten years ago, Fatuma began to experience troubling symptoms, including a swelling on her neck. Recently, she noticed other symptoms, including shortness of breath, pain when swallowing, difficulty breathing, and a persistent cough. Fatuma was diagnosed with a goiter, affecting the thyroid. This is the gland located in front of your neck that produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Fatuma receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on June 2nd at our medical partner's care center, Karoli Lwanga Hospital. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252, and she and her family need help raising money. Fatuma says, “This came at a time I had nothing, my health is a messy and my children totally depend on my effort for everything, I kindly appeal to you for support so that I can have my surgery. Once done, I am sure I will get well and will continue working to support my family."

Tusingwire is a 58-year-old farmer from Uganda. He is a father of eight children, five sons and three daughters. Most of his children are now grown, have families of their own, and are engaged in small-scale farming, too. Only his youngest child is still in school and is currently studying in Primary Six. He and his wife mainly grow food crops for household consumption and sell the surplus produce to generate income. His favorite meal is karo or millet posho served with beef. Ten years ago, Tusingwire noticed a swelling in a sensitive area in his body. Since the swelling would appear and disappear, he did not pay much attention to it initially. However, over time, the swelling gradually increased in size, and the pain became more severe, especially when sitting, standing for long periods, or engaging in strenuous activities such as cultivating his garden. Tusingwire was diagnosed with a reducible right inguinal hernia. Fortunately, on June 2nd, he will undergo hernia repair surgery with the help of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. He needs help raising $230 to fund his surgery, which will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Tusingwire says, “I believed when operated, I would surely get better and would be able to work normally to keep up my family through farming.”

Moreen is a 30-year-old housewife from Uganda. Her husband works as a builder, but as construction work is often irregular, he also engages in farming to help provide for the family's needs. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family. Moreen is currently expecting her third child. Her doctors recommend that she 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 Moreen undergo a C-Section on June 4th. This procedure will cost $252, and Moreen needs your support. Moreen says, “When my husband gets work, he is only paid $5 per day, and on that, he has to meet all family cost and yet getting work to do too is hard. As a family, we are struggling financially, yet my surgery can’t be forgone. I kindly appeal to you for support.”

Feresta is a 35-year-old woman from Uganda. She has a Certificate in Nursing and completed a Diploma in Clinical Medicine. However, securing stable employment proved difficult, and she spent three years unemployed, staying at home as a housewife. Recently, she secured a position as a Clinical Officer at a local clinic. Despite her professional qualifications, her income remains modest at approximately US$50 per month. Feresta is pregnant, and her doctors recommend that she 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 Feresta undergo a C-Section on June 4th. This procedure will cost $252, and Feresta needs your support. Feresta says, “With your support. I hope to deliver successfully, have a live and healthy baby as I continue hustling to keep up my family, otherwise the financial situation we are going through as a family currently is so complicated.”

Evalyn is a 36-year-old woman from Uganda. Growing up in a family of seven children, Evalyn dreamed of becoming a nurse. However, due to financial constraints, she was only able to complete Primary 7 and two terms of Senior 1 before her parents informed her that they could no longer afford her school fees. At the age of 19, she got married, and presently has three children; the eldest in Primary 6, while the youngest has not yet started school. The family lives a simple farming life, primarily growing food crops for home consumption. Whenever they have a surplus harvest, they sell it to generate income and support the family's needs. As a mother, Evalyn finds great joy in seeing her children happy, spending time with them, and preparing them for school each day. She hopes that they will achieve educational success and have opportunities that she was not able to get. Evalyn is currently expecting her fourth child. Her doctors recommend that she 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 Evalyn undergo a C-Section on June 4th. This procedure will cost $252, and Evalyn needs your support. Evalyn says, “As a family, it’s hard to raise the money needed for my surgical delivery, because our income situation is not so good. I believe that with your support, I will have a safe delivery, and continue farming and taking care of my family in good health.”