Penina is 45-year-old woman from Uganda. She and her husband have four children still with them, and they have experienced the heartbreaking loss of five children. The family earns a living through small-scale farming. They live in a modest mud-built house on their small plot of land, cultivating mainly for home consumption due to limited land and resources. Their income is minimal and often barely enough to meet their basic family needs.
Over two years ago, Penina began to experience troubling symptoms, including severe abdominal pain, a swelling of the abdomen, legs, and face, and anaemia. She sought care from various health facilities, but unfortunately, her condition did not improve. As the pain intensified and her health deteriorated, she decided to seek specialized treatment at our medical partner’s care center, Uganda Martyr’s Ibanda Hospital.
Penina has been diagnosed with splenomegaly, an enlargement of the spleen. Physicians recommend a laparotomy, which is a surgery that opens up the abdominal cavity to treat her condition.
Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $279 to fund Penina’s surgery. On March 12th, she will undergo surgery, which once completed, will relieve her symptoms and greatly improve her quality of life.
Penina says, “I am very grateful for the service and care at Ibanda Hospital. However, I do not have the funds to support my surgery, so I kindly appeal to donors for support. After I have recovered from the surgery, I will resume my work of farming, so I can support my family.’’

