Babikyengyire is the mother of one child who is 7 years old and in first grade at primary school. Her husband died in an accident in 2012. She later managed to buy a piece of land and constructed a three-room semi-permanent house for shelter.
A long time ago, in 1989, she thought she was gaining weight with an expanded neck because it was painless. She got married in 2009 and when she got pregnant in 2012, she developed neck pains especially after walking long distances. After delivery, the swelling increased as well as her pain. She is a member of the church choir, but she could no longer sing because it was too painful. Currently, she feels much pain when she wears a mask due to the ongoing COVID-19 regulations in the country. She is hopeful to find a solution from Watsi’s Medical Partner Care Center Rushoroza Hospital.
At Rushoroza, she presented with long-standing history of bi-nodular neck swelling. Thyrotoxicosis, airway obstruction, difficulty in breathing could be the end result if not treated through a thyroidectomy.
Babikyengyire is a businesswoman who carries clothes around town to her customers, though she shared that she is finding it challenging now due to her condition. She feels uncomfortable being in public because of her neck swelling.
She seeks financial support for her surgery because her small business can hardly raise a fraction of the total surgery charges. Babikyengyire shared, “I hope for a successful surgery. After the surgery, I believe that I will be able to travel long distances that will help me reach out to more customers and improve my business.”
