Tumushabe is a 38-year-old small-scale farmer from Uganda. She is a mother of five who separated with her husband in 2018 after being rejected by his parents. Her husband stayed with four of their children and she is taking care of their youngest, who is two years old and hasn’t yet started preschool. She shared that she has now lost contact with her husband and does not receive any help from him. She currently lives with her aunt who helps support her with the little she can.
On June 3rd, Tumushabe had a curative laparotomy surgery that was successful and she was discharged home feeling well.. However, a few weeks later, she was in severe pain again, especially with a backache and lower abdominal pains. She went to nearby Mbarara Hospital and other health units who ran scans on her. She was diagnosed with fibroids and was given tablets to relieve her pain because she could not afford the surgery charges. She decided to return to Rushoroza Hospital to seek the medical attention she needs.
Tumushabe completed up to the second grade in primary school and was growing a variety of crops in her aunt’s fields before she became sick. She currently does not work due to severe pain and cannot even sit comfortably. Her aunt and uncle are unable to fund her surgery and therefore she is seeking financial support. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus.
Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $228 to fund Tumushabe’s surgery. On October 7th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner’s care center. Once recovered, Tumushabe will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain and her quality of life will improve.
Tumushabe says, “I pray for the WATSI program for assisting me and I am grateful for their kind financial support. I will resume farming as soon as possible.”