Urgent help needed for children with crippling heart conditions
L-R Jesca Nantumbwe with her daughter Cabrine Nanteza who needs a life-saving heart operation in India. Ms Doreen Ampeire with her son Ryan Kawooya, who needs heart surgery . Photos by Michael Kakumirizi.
At nine months, Ryan Kawooya is bubbly and energetic, trying to jump off his mother’s lap. He could be taken for a normal baby, only that he is terribly underweight.
In December 2014, Kawooya fell ill with pneumonia and has never recovered. Doreen Ampaire, the boy’s mother, says after seeking treatment at St Paul’s Hospital in Kasese, they were referred to the national referral hospital in Mulago.
“When he was not getting better after treatment, we were advised to go to the Uganda Heart Institute where was diagnosed with a heart defect. The veins that take blood to his heart are also weak.
Ampaire says whenever Kawooya gets flu or a cough, he has to be put on oxygen for his survival. He is always weak and he cannot feed himself.
Since the discovery of his condition, Kawooya’s family, with the help of Action for Disadvantaged People (ACDIPE), has been able to raise the funds for the recommended surgery at Narayan Health Group of Hospitals in India.
However, the family is calling on Good Samaritans to help them raise $7,500 to cater for their travel costs and upkeep.
how you can help
To fundraise for Ryan Kawooya, send Mobile Money to 0779 546610 or 0755 988830.
Right from the time she was born, Cabrine Nanteza, who is one and a half years old, has had difficulties breathing.
Every now and then, she has to be taken to the hospital for the mucus to be sucked out of her nose.
In October, during a routine visit to the National Referral Hospital at Mulago, she was diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome.
“She does not walk and has never crawled; she only supports herself on the furniture to get around the house,” says Jessica Nantumbwe, the mother.
Nanteza was sent to the Uganda Heart Institute for further analysis of her condition and it was discovered she has two holes in her heart.
With the help of Action for Disadvantaged People (ACDIPE) Nanteza’s family has been able to raise the funds for the recommended surgery at Narayan Health Group of Hospitals in India.
However, the family is calling on Good Samaritans to help them raise $7,500 to cater for their travel costs and upkeep.
Story by Gillian Nantume
How you can help
Please call 0706 272747 or send your contribution through Centenary Bank Uganda, Account Name Jessica Nantumbwe; Account Number 3020104077.
