Bavuriki is a mother of two children who developed a small swelling on her throat almost 10 years ago. Her swelling kept on increasing gradually in size until two years ago when it became big and painful. Unfortunately, she has never had any medical attention and the pain has increased to the extent that she can no longer carry a five-litre jerrycan on her head and she feels a headache whenever she comes from the farm.
Bavuriki decided to visit Watsi’s Medical Partner Care Center Rushoroza Hospital to seek medical advice. If not treated to remove her thyroid, doctors told her she may develop thyrotoxicosis, difficulty in swallowing, or airway obstruction.
Bavuriki and her husband are small-scale farmers who grow beans and potatoes for home consumption. They have only two daughters, one is 27 years old and got married after completing her primary school teaching certificate. Their second daughter is 23 years old and is being taken care of by the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters, with a hope of joining them as soon as possible. They shared that she could have already joined the Sisters, but the COVID-19 pandemic is causing delays.
Their family owns a three-room semi-permanent house on their ancestral land. Bavuriki said, “After the surgery, I would be able to comfortably continue with my farming and be able to take care of my family.”