This young woman is Kansiime, a 33-year-old mother from Uganda. “Kansiime is married and the mother of three children,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “She delivered her second child in a village health centre and [suffered a perineal tear] which the centre could not fix. Kansiime didn't have money to go to a hospital for treatment, and she underwent a third delivery which increased the tear.” Due to this tear, Kansiime experiences genital pain and struggles to bend over or walk long distances. Furthermore, her condition prevents her from doing the work she would like. As a housewife, Kansiime does not earn an income of her own, and her husband cannot support the family on his small primary school teacher's salary either. In fact, at this point in time, the couple does not own their own home--they live with Kansiime’s mother. Thus, this family is in great need of financial assistance. With our support of $180, Kansiime will undergo a simple operation during which doctors will suture the tear. Once healed, she will be alleviated of her current symptoms and will be able to begin farming to provide for her family, just as she has hoped. “I am in a lot of pain and discomfort,” explains Kansiime. “I am requesting help so that I can be well again.”

“How I wish to be healthy as soon as possible so I can look after my son and daughters,” says Baguma, a 52-year-old woman from Uganda. “Baguma is a widow and a mother of five,” our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), shares. “Baguma has struggled to raise her children, put them through school, and feed them ever since her husband passed away 11 years ago.” After experiencing headaches, irregular bleeding, and abdominal pain, Baguma visited a clinic where she was diagnosed with multiple uterine fibroids. “Baguma’s income is barely enough to sustain her family. Baguma comes from a poor background and is not able to receive any financial assistance from her parents," AMHF shares. She cannot afford the cost of the treatment she needs. For $165, Baguma will receive a total abdominal hysterectomy. This removal of her uterus will help to prevent the fibroids from recurring, and allow her to live comfortably and without pain. AMHF reports that after her surgery, “Baguma will be relieved of the pain and her quality of life will improve. She will also no longer be at risk for developing anemia.”