Merab is a 47-year-old woman from Uganda who has lived a life defined by hard work and resilience. She is a mother of three children, all of whom are now married and living in their own homes. Merab lives with her husband in the hills of Kabale, near the Uganda–Rwanda border, where she has spent most of her life as a small-scale farmer.
Twenty years ago, Merab started experiencing abdominal pain that radiated to her back. At first, she dismissed it, thinking it was just strain from long hours in the fields. But as months and years passed, the pain grew worse and was soon accompanied by a feeling of abdominal fullness. The discomfort intensified, making normal farming activities increasingly difficult. Farming, which had been her livelihood, became almost impossible. Now, she can work only for a short time before the pain forces her to stop.
Merab first sought help at a nearby health centre. She was given some medication, but it did not bring the desired relief. Desperate for better care, she decided to travel to our medical partner’s care center, Rushoroza Hospital. She borrowed some money for transportation from her village women’s association and made the long trip with a single mission: to find healing. At Rushoroza Hospital, Merab was assessed and diagnosed with multiple uterine fibroids, non-cancerous growths of muscle and connective tissue in the uterus. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus.
Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $319 to fund Merab’s surgery. On December 9th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at Rushoroza Hospital. Once recovered, Merab will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain.
Merab says, “I pray that I will get the support for surgery, and I also pray that the good Lord who brought this donor program, to help and heal me through this surgery that has been recommended.”