Merab is a 30-year-old mother who is married with three children aged nine, six and three. She works as a small-scale farmer. She completed her secondary education but did not get a chance to proceed further due to a lack of school fees. Merab and her husband own a three-roomed house with their main source of cooking energy being firewood. They rely on bodabodas (motorcycles) as the main mode of transport while seeking medical attention which costs them about six to ten dollars round trip, which is high for their family.
Three years ago, Merab began to experience troubling symptoms, including a small painless swelling on the front side of her neck, which has grown over the years. She has tried using herbs as treatment with no success and, although painless, the swelling makes her feel inferior while in public and she is worried what will happen in the future if she is untreated.
Merab sought medical treatment and was diagnosed with a multinodular goiter that requires surgical removal. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Fortunately, our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) can help. Merab is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on August 12th when surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $333, and she and her family needs help raising money.
Merab says, “I wish to look normal again through surgery. I will continue with farming for the well-being of my family after I recovery.”