Jackline is a happy 24-year-old woman with a broad smile. She is Ugandan by birth and came to Kenya with her elder sister looking for a job some years back. She is the fourth born in a family of six, whose parents and other siblings are still in Uganda. Jackline has a ten-year-old daughter who lives with her sister some distance away. She has been earning money as a housekeeper in a nearby village. This helps her to take care of her basic needs, and to be able to send money to help provide for her child and her parents.
Jackline has experienced abdominal pains that have persisted for four years, and she has been using pain medication throughout this time. The pain is worse during her periods and after eating. Sometimes, there is bleeding at the umbilical region. She has a mass at the umbilicus that has increased in size. Upon further examination and an ultrasound, doctors diagnosed that she has an umbilical hernia. They recommended surgery in order to give Jackline relief from her pain and discomfort.
Jackline earns low wages and has a lot of needs so she has not been able to get medical insurance coverage. She now needs surgery and is not able to raise the required amount. Therefore, she is requesting help from every well-wisher reading her story in order to get the surgery she needs.
Jackline says, “Most of the time I feel the pain that prevents me from carrying out my duties as before. I am worried as it may affect my job and I don’t have any other source of income. Kindly help me.”
