03/06/2026
When Petwa gave birth at home in Kakoli, Eastern Uganda, on April 3, 2023, it took just three days for the family to realize something wasnโt right with her newborn.
โWe noticed a strange swelling on the babyโs head that kept getting bigger and bigger,โ Petwa recalls.
โThe people coming to see the baby said that the child is demonic, a result of witchcraft. I was very sad and heartbroken. How could I produce such a baby?โ
Determined to find help, Petwa and her husband Wamujwa first took their baby to a nearby public health facility. After examination, the doctors explained that the condition was too complex to be treated there and referred them to Mbale Hospital. But the family could not finance the expenses.
โSo we went to another facility (Budaka Health Center IV), and they told us about and put us in touch with Bulamu Healthcareโs Angel program, which connects children in need of specialized surgery with hospitals that can treat them.โ
Bulamu arranged the referral to CURE Childrenโs Hospital, where the baby was scheduled for surgery the very next day.
Since then, the little girl has undergone four surgeries and continues with monthly reviews, showing remarkable improvement.
โShe used to be very irritable, but now she is so much happier and all smiles. And whenever I see her smile, I canโt help but smile too,โ says Petwa.
Through the Angel Referral Program, Bulamu Healthcare supports children with surgical conditions whose families cannot afford care. The program covers hospital treatment, transport, accommodation, and caregiver support. If the condition requires more than one surgery to correct, we do this for all the surgeries, ensuring that children receive the life-saving care they need.
Stories like Petwaโs are made possible through the generosity of partners and supporters who believe every child deserves a chance at a healthy future.
