Meet Kisembo, a 31-year-old husband and father of six from Uganda. Kisembo spends his days working as a small-scale farmer to support himself and his family.
Five years ago, Kisembo went to the hospital with abdominal pain and swelling in his groin. He had been living with the pain for eight years at that point, but was diagnosed that day with inguinal hernia and instructed to have surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), shares: “If not treated, Kisembo may suffer intestinal obstruction, incarceration, or strangulation.” These conditions could become inoperable or cause dangerous infection.
AMHF adds that after Kisembo heard about Watsi, he came to the hospital “for assistance and with a lot of trust that he will get treatment.” Kisembo has high hopes and plans for life with improved health, AMHF adds. “After surgery he hopes to resume carpentry work, which he had done some time back before he got the hernia so that he can sustain himself and his family.”
For $220, Kisembo will have surgery to remove the hernia and prevent it from becoming large enough to obstruct his intestines or cause further pain and health risks. Kisembo says, “I have lived with a hernia for a long time. I thank you in advance for the help you are going to give me.”

