Halima's Story

Halima was born without a bowel opening and was 'fitted' with a colostomy when she was one day old. She was meant to have several other surgeries but this did not happen and her mother was told her bowel may never be operable. This information was not from a doctor and subsequently Halima grew up being know as 'the girl without an anus'. 11 years without sitting on a toilet had left her isolated and victimized.

A friend who visited the Idudi community shared a photo of Halima and told us her story. She used a straw to empty her bowel contents and was starting to struggle with being in a classroom all day. The smell became quite overwhelming for other students.

And so it was decided we would raise funds to give young Halima an operation, a new start to life with a bright future. First a colonoscopy was required. Our first hurdle. The doctor said if the gap between the opening and the bowel was more than 3cm it would be inoperable. The result was that it was a 3cm gap and the surgery can go ahead!

People were fearful of the surgery. Many people in poor Ugandan communities were fearful of any surgery as either people return worse off or don’t come back at all! So we prayed night and day for a successful surgery and our prayers were answered. She survived, it went well and there was no infection.

The final surgery came 3 months later. And finally Halima’s bowel is functioning as it should, for the first time in her life. And there was a celebration of passing wind!!! Again the surgery went well, no infection and a little girl, along with her mother have an amazing testimony. There were people, strangers who cared for them deeply, a God who hears our prayers and a Heavenly Father who loves them.

We thankyou for your response, for those who prayed and donated. Your faithfulness has had a ripple effect that has rung in the ears of the Idudi community. xxxx