Journalist Afflicted With Sickle Cell Disease In Uganda Seeking Recognition

by Bwambale Rogers
(Kasese, Uganda, Africa)

I'm 29 years old, the second born in the family of five children -- two boys and three girls. My father is a polygamous man with four women. We live in Uganda, an African country and in a district called Kasese.

We recently found out that our family all my biological three sisters were suffering sickle cell disease. Poor me, I tried my level best to take them to the nearest clinic thinking that it was malaria, but all in vain.

Other people thought my family was charmed and thus referred me to witch doctors but this couldn't work out for me. Finally there came special doctors to Kagando Hospital the only government hospital in my district.

It's through this that I knew the disease my family has. My sisters have stunted growth and they are stigmatized at school just because of the small size they have. It becomes worse during the rainy season when they get complications in breathing.

I was told that sickle cell disease has no cure but there some special treatments given to sicklers. I am paid something small for the story I have got and written if my news editor accepts it, since I am a freelance journalist.

I would like well-wishers to assist me and identify the sickle cell treatment school fees for my sisters because I am the only breadwinner in my family. I don't want to lose them. I will be very grateful to get your positive response. Yours, Bwambale Rogers.