Why donate

Children and adolescents in Uganda are often affected by the sickle cell disease or sickle cell anaemia. This genetic disease occurs more frequently in Africa and leads to a characteristic sickle-shaped deformation of the red blood cells. This deformation can lead to a thickening of the blood. Children and adolescents with sickle cell anaemia sometimes suffer several strokes at a young age. These children and adolescents often require regular physiotherapy for the rest of their lives to overcome the consequences of the strokes and other complications. Another large group of patients in Uganda are people who have suffered trauma as a result of road accidents. Uganda's roads are dangerous. Many Ugandans walk to work or school every day, often directly on the side of the road. The vehicles on the road often do not meet our safety standards: they are poorly lit, outdated and only partially roadworthy. In addition, lorry drivers are overtired because driving times are not regulated. In the dark, the roads are often poorly lit or not lit at all, which leads to frequent accidents and personal injury.

Another important group are the people who work in the fields, whether for their own food or for employers who often operate sugar cane plantations in the Jinja region. Very few machines are used in these fields; all work is mainly done by hand. The soil is prepared by hand with hoes, sowing and planting is also done by hand, as is harvesting. This heavy physical work often leads to overuse pain, especially in the arms, shoulders and back. Slipped discs and pronounced joint wear and tear (arthrosis) are the order of the day.