“In the future Alinaitwe wants to be a doctor so that he can be able to treat patients, especially those with low income,” says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF).
Alinaitwe is a 14-year-old boy from Uganda, and one of twelve children in his family. “He likes most science subjects and enjoys playing football and joining running competitions,” says AMHF. However, Alinaitwe has not been attending school regularly and has not been able to play his favorite games due to an inguinal hernia—a condition in which part of the intestine bulges through the abdominal wall.
“Alinaitwe started feeling pain in the groin area one year ago,” reports AMHF. “A few weeks following the pain he developed a swelling, which is on and off. When he is in pain he cannot lift heavy items and he walks with difficulty.” The pain prevents Alinaitwe from getting to school, as he has to walk about three kilometers to reach it.
In addition to experiencing pain, Alinaitwe risks possible complications such as intestinal incarceration, obstruction, and/or strangulation if he is not properly treated.
Alinaitwe’s father is a peasant and his mother is a housewife. All but one of the children in his family attend school, and the final child dropped out due to lack of school fees. Alinatiwe’s family hopes for assistance to cover his medical costs.
$220 will the cost of the hernia repair procedure he needs, during which doctors will return the herniated tissue to the abdominal cavity and close the opening in the abdominal wall, thereby eliminating the aforementioned risks.
“After surgery Alinaitwe hopes to be well again and concentrate on his studies without feeling pain,” says AMHF, “and to continue helping his parents with house duties such as fetching water and sweeping.”
In his pre-operative interview, Alinaitwe shared his hopes for after surgery: “I want to get well quickly so that I go to school.”