Help Poor Children with Cancer to Access Treatment

The diagnosis and treatment of cancer is a stressful and scary experience for anyone, but for children it can have a tremendous impact both physically and mentally.

For children from rural communities, that must leave their family and friends and go to the city to get treatment, it is very daunting. Also, for those children who go to school, it means that their education is on hold whilst they undergo treatment.

In this report we are pleased to be able to highlight two initiatives that are great solutions for: 1. Young boys who are missing out on developing new skills: 2. Showing women how to make an affordable, useable hygienic product.  

1. Rotary Club Kireka Movers has initiated a project called “Boy Child Uplifting Project” (BCUP) to support young boys to be self-sustaining, confident and have a purpose through developing new skills in such areas as carpentry, welding, motor mechanics etc.

The Hope Creator President {2023/2024) Sarah Komugisha says “Several of the young boys on the program, are patients from our New Hope Children’s hostel, who are currently having treatment for their cancer.”

Meet Emmanuel, who is benefiting from this program.

"In 2021, I became sick and was admitted to a hospital and after many investigations and being given medicine, there was no improvement, I continued feeling pain. I was sent to another hospital and had a CT scan and the results were not good so, I was referred to Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI). I was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and commenced my cancer treatment in January 2022. At this time life was hard as I had to sleep on the veranda at the hospital and getting food was difficult because we did not have money. I was referred to New Hope Children’s hostel, which is ran by Kawempe Home Care. It became my home. They provide me with food, transport, clothing, and accommodation and they also support me with medical tests.

During my treatment Sarah Komugisha (The Hope Creator President of Rotary Club of Kireka Movers) spoke to us about the opportunity for “Supporting a boy child to acquire a skill” which was an initiative of Rotary. I was interested so I registered and started training in carpentry as it was near Mulago, were I get my treatment. When I am not at an appointment, I attend school and will complete my studies at the end of June 2024. I have acquired a lot of skills, and can make things like facer boards, chairs, tables, doors, stools, beds, drawers, side boards and may others things. I am very grateful for this opportunity because after here when I complete my treatment, I can get a job to work and earn a living.

I am so grateful for the wonderful kindness and support given to me by Kawempe Home Care, and Musawo Sarah. I look forward to having a good life after here." says Emmanuel.

The good news is that Emmanuel is now back home and is on three month medical reviews.  We wish him all the best with his health and work. 

Hazel and Amara Providing Practical Solutions.

Hazel and Amara’s Skills Programs provide practical sessions for groups and they recently visited the hostel and showed the women how to make reusable pads. This skill will help the women immensely as these items are expensive to buy. Also, this skill will help them to provide pads for their daughters as well and also pass on the skill to them. Hazel and Amara have many times supported us with food donations. Thank you for providing our caregivers with such practical support and for the children, nutritional support.

We are extremely grateful to our wonderful supporters both through GlobalGiving and local groups in Uganda who donate food and medicines for the children.

"At the end, it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished. It’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.” – Denzel Washington