Help Poor Children with Cancer to Access Treatment

To know that you helped change someone's life circumstances for the better is a reward. 

Charles is 4 years old and the second youngest of six children. His father is a mechanic and his mother runs a small-scale business. In November 2019 Charles started complaining of body aches, weakness in his legs and arms. He was also anemic and was taken to the local hospital and had a blood transfusion. His condition got worse and in February 2020 he was referred to the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) for assessment.  Charles was diagnosed with cancer of the blood (leukemia).

He was referred to New Hope Children’s hostel for psychosocial support and his elder sister who was in Senior 6, became his caregiver at the hostel. Charles had to undergo weekly intense cancer treatment, however his father wanted him to go back home as he did not think that the cancer was curable.

However,Charles made great improvements in his condition and he is now stable and has monthly treatment for his cancer.

His parents were very happy with his progress and were grateful for the support New Hope Children’s Hostel provided his children during this difficult time. Charles still has a way to go but he and his family are not alone.

It was hoped that 2022 would be a year when the world would shake off Covid19 and a sense of ‘normality’ would return. How wrong we were. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families that are caught up the Ukraine war and the continuing unrest in many parts of the world.

Many not-for-profit groups rely even more now on individuals to help keep their projects operating.GlobalGivinghas given many projects like ours support through their campaigns throughout the year.

Thank you to our donors who support what we do for children with cancer who like Charles are mainly from poor rural areas and unless they get support they cannot afford for their children to access treatment.

For the period January- March 2022, the New Hope Children’s hostel received US$608in donationsand this was mainly due to our6 regular donors who give monthly contributions.

How the funds were used

This quarter the funds were used for fuel to transport the children to the hospital for their treatment, medicines for pain and symptom control and cleaning materials and detergents.

This quarter 82 children and their caregivers were cared for at the hostel. We are pleased to report that 2 children completed their treatment session and were allowed home until their next appointment.
Sadly 10 children passed away during this time. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families.

Our reward is seeing children with cancer have a chance to enjoy a future.

Thank you for your wonderful support through GlobalGiving. This quarter (Oct- Dec 2021), the New Hope Children’s hostel received 24 donations, totalling US$1,878.

This support was crucial during a very difficult time with the lockdowns due to Covid19 which required innovative solutions to ensure that our children and our other patients were able to continue their treatment. Our staff and volunteers have been amazing. Treatment for serious illnesses such as cancer,cannot be put on hold.

This is why we are so passionate about helping children with cancer

This is a good news story about a fight that Muhamed is winning.

Muhamed is 18 years old and recently he achieved in his final A level studies, 3 A’s, a distinction two in general paper and ICT. This achievement ranked him as one of the top students in Uganda. What is even more incredible is that this young man has been fighting cancer since he was in Primary 6, and was undergoing treatment during this time. 

‘I have 7 brothers and 6 sisters. I first noticed pain in my right ankle in 2013, which I managed with painkillers. I sought medical carefor the pain but it continued to get worse so I finally went into hospital. My mother sold charcoal in order for me to get further treatment and also borrowed some money from friends to meet the costs of staying at the hospital. It was confirmed I had liposarcoma cancer.’

Muhamed’s treatment was unsuccessful and in 2021 he was referred to the  Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI). He arrived with some books and clothes and the first night he slept on the verandah and the next day he was referred to New Hope Children’s Hostel.

‘My mother stayed with me at the hostel during my chemotherapy. I was able to study for my exams in the nurses’ room. Once I had a great improvement in my leg my mother requested to go home as she was the bread winner and needed to care for my siblings.

I am very grateful for all the support I have been given not only from the New Hope hostel but also my school and the staff. There are still challenges ahead but I am grateful that I now have a future.’

Muhamed’s dream of becoming a telecommunications engineer is becoming a reality as he has been accepted to do civil engineering at Makerere University and on a government scholarship.

He has also completed his cancer treatment and now will undergo routine medical reviews every two months.What an amazing young man.

Your contribution has helped to make a difference.

How the funds were used

This quarter the funds were again directed to providing food for the children and their caregivers and fuel for transport with the price sky rocketing and having to double the number of trips due to restriction on numbers allowed to travel together.

Your Support during 2021 has enabled 156 children and their caregivers to be cared for at the hostel. We are pleased to report that 27 children completed their treatment session and were allowed home until their next appointment.

Sadly 47 children passed away during this time. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families.

Thank you for supporting our children and giving them a fighting chance to beat this terrible illness.