Kamakune is a 37-year-old a single mother of three who lives in Uganda with her aunt and youngest child. Her eldest child stays with her father and the second eldest lives with another relative.
Seven years ago, Kamakune started feeling pain in her left groin area and later she developed a swelling in that same place. The swelling is on and off– it disappears when she presses it– however the pain intensifies when she bends or lifts heavy items. Although Kamakune was given painkillers when she visited a nearby health clinic, the pain just came back once the medicine was finished.
Unable to afford going to a hospital, Kamakune visited African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF) where she was diagnosed with a femoral hernia. Often caused by overstrain, this occurs when a portion of tissue protrudes through the muscle wall in the upper inner thigh or groin area. If not treated, Kamakune may suffer intestinal incarceration,obstruction and strangulation– the cutting off circulation to her intestines.
Kamakune does not have a job or any form of income. Although she used to dig and sell some food products to earn money, the pain from her hernia prevents her from working. She now lives with her paternal aunt who supports almost all of her living costs.
For $220, doctors will perform an operation to reposition the protruding tissue to its proper place, and close the opening in Kamakune’s muscle wall. This hernia repair will allow her to work again without any pain, and eliminate the risk of any future complications.
After surgery Kamakune hopes to resume digging. She also plans to look for money and do a course in hairdressing so that she can be able to support herself.

