Tumukunde is a 27-year-old small scale farmer who grows beans and potatoes for home consumption. Tumukunde got married in 2010 and is a mother of four children. Her husband trades live animals, buying and selling of cows and goats one at a time because he doesn’t have enough capital to expand his business. Their family owns a four-room semi-permanent house. Their firstborn is 10 years old and in primary school class four, their second born is 8 years and in primary school class two. They also have a 3-year-old and 1-year-old who haven't started school yet. She developed a small swelling on her throat in 2014. She did not bother going for medical attention because she thought it was a family disease and she used local herbs to manage her goitre. In 2017/2018, her swelling increased, she started feeling severe pain, and she would find difficulty in breathing and carrying things. She could hardly carry anything on her head. She suffer headaches during rainfall and cold weather. Finally, she decided to come to Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center Rushoroza Hospital to seek medical advice. If not treated through thyroidectomy, she could develop thyrotoxicosis, airway obstruction, difficulty in swallowing and may develop into thyroid carcinomas. Their family has no other sources of income despite having a lot to take care of on their shoulders and have asked for financial support to enable her surgery. Tumukunde shared, “I pray that I may be considered for the surgery because, without financial support, it’s impossible. After the surgery, I look forward to practicing extensive farming to be able to comfortably support my expanding family, and without pain, I believe I can make it.”

Gian is a young boy from Kenya. Gian’s mother sells clothes and his father is a private school teacher. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gian’s father has not been receiving any monthly income because learning in institutions has been suspended until the pandemic is over. This has made it hard for his parents to earn enough money for his surgery because they only get enough for basic needs of their family of four. Gian has a twin brother who also needs surgery. Gian was born with hypospadias, a congenital abnormality that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of infertility. Fortunately, Gian is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on July 13th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $735 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Gian’s mother says: “Having gone through several revision surgeries, I am praying and hoping that this surgery will be successful.”

Joselyn is a peasant farmer from Uganda who was diagnosed with goitre. She has suffered for the past five years, complaining of difficulty breathing, headache and consistent palpitations. She is not able to perform most of her daily work. Joselyn was not able to get funds for surgery previously so continued struggling with the condition. She came to our facility and had surgery recommended. With successful surgery, Joselyn will be able to lead a normal life. Joselyn is a mother of 10 children. They are not in any formal employment and thus unable to help their mother. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Joselyn receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on December 10th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $240, and she and her family need help raising money. Joselyn says, “I hope to have a successful surgery so that I continue with cultivation at my farm.”