By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
NAKIVALE
A refugee family living in Nakivale settlement is appealing for financial support to save their one-year-old daughter who is battling a life-threatening heart defect.
Happy Muhipundu, the daughter of Nahayo Jackson, was diagnosed with Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), a condition involving three holes in the wall separating the lower chambers of the heart. Medical experts at the Uganda Heart Institute recommended immediate surgery abroad before the child turned six months old.
Now aged one year and one month, Happy has not received the necessary operation due to lack of funds. Her condition continues to deteriorate, severely affecting her growth and development. While most children her age are learning to stand or walk, Happy cannot even sit upright and spends most of her time lying down, struggling to breathe.
“She was born healthy, but after a few months we noticed something was wrong. She was always tired and breathing fast,” said her father, Jackson. “Doctors confirmed it was a serious heart condition, but the surgery needed is far beyond what we can afford.”
The family needs UGX 80 million to take Happy to India for the surgery. The amount covers travel, medical treatment, and post-operative care.
With no income and limited access to resources, Jackson is now appealing to the public, NGOs, faith-based institutions, and humanitarian agencies to help raise the funds.
“We are asking anyone who can help us save our daughter’s life to come forward,” he said.
How to Contribute?
Contributions can be coordinated through MTN Mobile Money: 0785475098 – Registered in the Name of Nyiradiyama Jeanine.
The family fears that without urgent intervention, Happy may not survive much longer.
