“I just want to live without pain,” shares Kakyondo, a 70-year-old Ugandan woman who relies on her six children and her job as a subsistence farmer to support herself. “Despite her old age Kakyondo still goes to the gardens to farm but because of the pain she is in, she can no longer work on her garden,” explains our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF).
Kakyondo’s pain is caused by uterine prolapse, a condition in which the uterus descends through the vagina outwardly. She first developed abdominal pain about 20 years ago, after her husband passed away. It wasn’t until recently, though, that Kakyondo visited a nearby clinic and was given medication. However, her pain continued to worsen and she now experiences heavy bleeding.
“Kakyondo gave birth to 14 children but only six are still living,” adds AMHF. High numbers of pregnancies and births are often linked to the development of uterine prolapse, which may explain why Kakyondo is currently dealing with the condition. While rare in the United States, uterine prolapse is commonly seen in developing countries, where women typically have more pregnancies and children. If left untreated, Kakyondo will continue to experience pain and bleeding, which could result in anemia.
For $165, Kakyondo will receive a total abdominal hysterectomy, a procedure in which a surgeon will remove her uterus and cervix. This is a relatively simple procedure, after which Kakyondo’s bleeding will stop and she can live without pain. In addition to covering the operation, funding will also go toward a four-day hospital stay and all necessary medication for Kakyondo.
Let’s help this mother regain her health, energy, and mobility.