Maria is a 70-year-old farmer. She shared that she lost her husband in 1999 and is the mother of six children who she has worked hard to raise well. She has three daughters and three sons, all married and small-scale farmers. Maria was not able to attend school when she was young because she was a refugee from Congo. Her family was always on the move, so she never had the opportunity to attend school. She’s earned a living from farming and grows food crops like sorghum, maize, and rice. She has limited land, but when she has a small surplus, she is able to sell the crops to generate income for her family.
Maria is a religious, jolly, and happy person and is proud to serve as a leader of the Holy Mary community in her village. She shared that praying the rosary is her passion.
Two years back, Maria started feeling her uterus drop. It wasn’t painful, which never made her seek medical treatment, but recently, the pain became worse, accompanied by backaches, abdominal pain, and other symptoms. She first went to Kambuga hospital, where she was examined, diagnosed, and recommended for surgical treatment. However, she never managed to undergo her surgery due to limited finances.
After sharing how she feels with a friend, she learned of our medical partner’s surgical support program at Nyakibale Hospital, and this gave her a breath of hope that she could be supported. She traveled there and after examination, she was diagnosed with uterine prolapse. The doctors have recommended a total hysterectomy treatment to heal her condition. However, her income is too limited to enable her to afford the cost of her surgery and she appeals for support.
Maria says, “I believe that the Lord will again do for me as he has always been for me. I hope to get much better once operated and continue with farming to sustain my family. “
