Sandra is a bright and curious two-year-old girl from Uganda. When our medical partner’s team met Sandra and her mother, she wandered around exploring her surroundings, quickly finding comfort among the people at the hospital’s reception area. She’s in a playful growth stage—able to walk, do small things independently, and say a few words like “Maama” (Mum), though she hasn’t yet learned to form full sentences. Sandra is the only child of her loving parents, who care deeply for her and are fully committed to getting her the medical care she needs. Her father does casual work in people’s farms, while her mother is a small-scale farmer. The family owns a small piece of land where her mother grows beans, potatoes, and maize—mainly for home use, with a portion sold to earn some income. At home, Sandra enjoys eating posho and beans. When she is upset, a sweet potato snack is often enough to calm her down and bring back her smile.
Since birth, Sandra has been having a swelling in her umbilical area. Initially, her mother was advised that there was no cause to worry. However, as Sandra grew, the swelling became more noticeable. She now cries when lying on her stomach and has difficulty passing stool. As the swelling continued to increase in size, her parents grew concerned and decided to seek medical help. At our medical partner’s care center, Karoli Lwanga Hospital Nyakibale, she underwent a scan and was diagnosed with supra-umbilical hernia, which occurs when tissue bulges out through a weakness in the abdominal wall, specifically above the belly button. Doctors have recommended a surgical repair to prevent future complications. However, her parents are unable to meet the cost of surgery.
Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Sandra receive treatment. On April 8th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery, a procedure that will hopefully allow her to live a healthier life. Now, Sandra’s family needs help to fund this $230 procedure.
Sandra’s mother says, “Sandra is the joy of our family and our source of hope and happiness. Anything that affects her deeply worries us. The doctor has informed us that she needs surgery for her hernia, but as her parents, our limited income makes it difficult for us to cover the costs. We kindly seek your support during this challenging time.”

