Meet Mugume, a 17-year-old student from Uganda, with aspirations to become a Catholic priest or a doctor. Mugume has 11 siblings and attends school, where he enjoys mathematics and playing football, but has been less active recently due to a painful hernia.
“Sometimes I fail to concentrate in class because of the pain,” Mugume said.
Three years ago, Mugume began experiencing pain in his left leg and developed a fever. His father took him to the hospital last September where he was diagnosed with a hernia, or a condition in which a tissue or organ comes through an abnormal opening.
“Mugume was advised to have surgery,” AMHF continues, “but his father did not have the money. His father does not make much money, and is saving most of it for the education of his children.” Mugume’s father grows and sells vegetables to bring in money for the family that depends on the seasonality of his crops.
$220 will cover the cost of the hernia repair surgery he needs. Mugume has difficulty walking straight or lifting heavy items due to his pain but remains hopeful about the surgery. AMHF shares, “The treatment will eliminate the risk of intestinal obstruction.”
“After the surgery,” AMHF says, “Mugume hopes to get well quickly so that he can concentrate on his studies and help his mother with work at home.”
