January 2021: David and Coleta – pediatric eye masses
David and Coleta are two children from neighboring villages near Kabudula suffering from eye masses that required multiple surgeries. They finally completed their treatment plans in January. They have both returned to school where their families report they are having much success, and their families appreciate the ongoing support they received through our sponsorship program.
March 2021: Joyce – eye cyst
Joyce came to Kabudula during a local surgical camp, but she experienced an eye condition needing surgery for which we did not have instruments delicate enough to handle the procedure. We referred her to the eye department at Nkhoma, but without sponsorship she would not have been able to afford the transportation or surgical fee. She was so grateful for assistance through sponsorship, and she had the operation the following week, experiencing full restoration of her vision.
April 2021 – Liznet – goiter (thyroid dysfunction)
Liznet was referred by a friend who saw her at the market and heard of our program. She had a large goiter which was making it difficult for her to breathe, swallow, complete her daily activities, and take care of her children. Liznet became a single mother when her husband left the family because of his beliefs that her goiter was the result of witchcraft. After many months of thyroid medication and testing in preparation for surgery, she had the goiter removed at Nkhoma Hospital in April of 2021. Liznet has since made a full recovery and has started her own business and become a leader in her local farming cooperative. She continues to visit the AHA office and now refers other patients to the program.
May 2021: Melesia – pediatric pelvic mass
Melesia is a young girl who had a large abdominal mass of unknown origin causing her health to deteriorate. Both parents and doctors were unsure of the way forward at first. We were able to help by sponsoring the cost of a CT scan, which provided more detailed information on the mass to surgeons in order to develop the best treatment plan. The mass was removed in May 2021, and biopsy results came back noncancerous; Melesia is doing fine now.
June 2021: Asiyatu – goiter (intubation challenge)
Asiyatu came to Kabudula during the March surgical camp for a thyroidectomy procedure; however, upon being anesthetized, her neck anatomy presented a challenge for intubation. Protocol required that the procedure be canceled, and she was very upset to learn that she could not have the operation that day. We were able to coordinate communication with anesthetists at another facility who agreed to take on the case, and she had a successful operation at Daeyang Luke in June, made possible through sponsorship.
September 2021: Charity – endoscopy (with stenting)
Charity was referred to the program by Liznet, but her condition deteriorated quickly due to a neck mass growing inside her throat and blocking the passage. Unfortunately the diagnosis was cancerous, so nothing could be done for her at Nkhoma Hospital. However, we were able to help with transportation through sponsorship to the new cancer center at KCH, where she is being treated and reports an increase in quality of life as a result of the care she’s receiving.