By Dr. Samuel Guma | Co Founder, Executive Director
Let us begin with a good news story.
In February 2021, Irene arrived at the New Hope Children’s Hostel. She was 16 years old and a very sick young lady. She is the eldest of 4 children and lived with her father and step mother. Her mother died when she was young. She arrived with her cousin so that he could care for her during her treatment.
Irene relates her cancer journey.
“In 2020, I developed a small lump on my neck and I ignored it. Two more lumps developed followed by enlarged swelling, I was taken to a local hospital and was tested for TB and cancer. The swelling grew bigger until it burst. The CT scan showed that I had Hodgkins Lymphoma cancer.
I was very fortunate because immediately when I started my treatment, I was referred to the New Hope Children’s Hostel and I was provided with accommodation, food, counselling and other basic needs. It would have been financially difficult for me and my family to stay in Kampala and complete my cancer treatment because we come from very far area of Uganda.
I have now finished my cancer treatment of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and am now on routine medical reviews, and I come to Kampala every three months. I am happy that I have greatly improved and very grateful for the support of the staff at Kawempe Home Care. The emotional, spiritual, and psychosocial support was important as well as the relationships with fellow patients which kept me courageous and strong to complete my treatment.
May God reward the organisation for such a great initiative to help the needy like me.”
“Irene provided many of her fellow patients with support of kindness and love during her stay. She cheered up the children with her sunny disposition and will be missed. But it is incredibly rewarding when you see young people responding to the treatment and being able to go home to their family and the opportunity to lead a full life. It also gives the other children at the hostel hope” says Namulwa Claire- Hostel Operations Manager.
The KHC staff and children at the New Hope Children’s hostel on 13 October, celebrated 10 years of the Hats on for Children’s Palliative Care. It is to raise awareness that children who need palliative care deserve access to care, love and treatment regardless of where they live.
The children at the hostel enjoyed being involved and of course loved the celebration with a cake!
This year we have had lots of ups and downs trying to ensure we can support these wonderful children during a very tough time in their young lives. We are very grateful for the support we receive from you, through GlobalGiving as these funds help cover the major costs at the hostel which is food and fuel for transport which takes the children to the hospital for treatment.
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