Help Poor Children with Cancer to Access Treatment

Year to date we have supported at the hostel, 123 children and their caregivers, 2 children have completed their treatment, 5 children are in palliative care. Sadly 11 of the children died. The children that passed, had been receiving palliative care at home for some time. It is at these times that we provide the children at the hostel with extra support as it is a tough time for them to hear that a friend they met at the hostel, died.

The first GlobalGiving campaign for this year was the Littlexlittle campaign, which ran from 3 April to 7 April. We are very grateful to the friends who supported this campaign. Thank you. We raised US$2171, with GlobalGiving matching 50% up to US$50, from 19 contributors.

The funds raised from this campaign will be used to pay for next month’s grocery bill. We prepare in a month, 5.400 meals, so you can imagine why our grocery bill is so high.

Auleria Atuhaire, is our Palliative Care Specialist Nurse, and she has been with the hostel for 2 years. We spoke with her about the highs and lows, of caring for children with cancer.

‘Caring for children who are dealing with a lot of pain, and their parents with the stress of seeing their children go through the difficulties associated with the treatment, has taught me to appreciate what I have and I have amazing respect for these children in our care.

The most difficult time is when the parents are told that the medical team can no longer help their child. The children are very aware of death as they have seen some of their friends in the hostel pass away. The counselling tries to minimise their fear.

I remember one of the boys who was 16 years, he was fun loving and when he knew “his time had come” he told his mum to get his father to sell the land so  he could enjoy life before he died.

Often when a child first arrives, they do not want to leave their room if they have a cancer that is very obvious such as a tumour behind the eye, as they have been laughed at in their villages, they are afraid the other children will also laugh. Once they are taken around to meet the other children, they soon feel more relaxed.

Most of the time they are happy at the hostel and they can talk to the other children about how they feel. Carers also benefit from the support of other parents sharing their stories.

There are good times especially when children conquer their cancer and are able to go home to their families.. That makes me vey happy.'