Organised by Story
We ask for your help in funding the life-saving medical expenses for Winnie Namugala, one of our Watoto young adults.
Winnie is an intelligent and determined 22-year-old, who dreams of becoming a lawyer someday. While Winnie is studying to fulfill her goals at a local university in Uganda, she knows what it means to face challenges.
Born with sickle cell anaemia, Winnie has faced serious health battles throughout her life. She learned early on in life that she wouldn't be able to run around, play or go to school uninterrupted like most other children.
When I was young, the doctors told me that I would not live beyond five years old. I did not fully understand at the time, but I was constantly in pain, says Winnie.
Sickle cell anaemia is a disease that deforms the red blood cells into a half-moon shape instead of its regular disc shape. The disease has affected Winnie's kidneys, heart and blood vessels, occasionally causing severe pain and repeated hospital admission.
As a little girl, not only did Winnie have to deal with the restrictions her illness placed on her life, but she also had to come to terms with losing her father. Winnie's mother did everything she could to make ends meet. But with little education and no help from relatives or friends, their situation soon became desperate.
Winnie's mother was referred to Watoto and after receiving the relevant training, she was invited to serve as a Watoto mother in one of our villages. Winnie and her mum formed a beautiful family together with 7 other children and Winnie received all the medical attention she needed and an education to match her spirited personality.
We want to thank our sponsors and partners for helping us take care of children like Winnie and giving them the opportunity to live a life full of hope.
Here I am today in university and, although life is not easy, I am grateful to God every day that I am still alive.
Winnie has had one surgery so far, but as a result of frequent hospitalisation she was unable to study for one year and her course unfortunately had to be changed from Law to Procurement. Winnie is still focused on her dream of graduating university, but needs further medical procedures.
I have faith that one day I will live a normal life and pursue my future aspiration of becoming a lawyer so that I can fight injustice in society.
Winnie desperately needs a costly surgery, which can only be done outside of Uganda. We need to raise £35,000 in order to ensure Winnie gets the medical care needed to help her live a full life.
.
Make a life saving donation today!
Please pray for Winnie's complete recovery and consider donating to our Watoto Medical Fund to help us pay for her life-saving surgery in one of the following ways:
- Via the donate button on top of this JustGiving page
- Make a card donation over the phone by calling the Watoto UK Office at 0203 225 1048
- Send a cheque to: Watoto UK, PO Box 64946, London, E4 0EF (please make it payable to 'Watoto Child Care Ministries' and write 'Winnie' on the back)
Your donation will go to the Watoto Medical Fund from which we will pay for Winnie's surgery. Any contributions given above and beyond Winnie's medical costs will go to the medical needs of other women and children in Watoto's care.
.
.
NB This is a JustGiving page set up by the Watoto UK office to help raise as much as possible towards the globally set target of £35,000. Other country offices will also be raising funds towards the same goal.