Geraldine Trada Foundation (GT Foundation) has provided social support to 15 vulnerable families who have members with type 1 diabetes.
The beneficiaries mostly include children who were diagnosed with Type one diabetes. The welfare support included basic necessities such as assorted foodstuffs and sanitary items.
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin, a protein hormone which human beings need to survive. Patients compensate by injecting themselves with insulin frequently a day.
GT Foundation has been supporting some of these patients since 2019 by providing them with test kits and essential food stuffs.
“Diabetes is more fatal to poor people who cannot afford to test regularly and eat appropriately before taking an insulin regulation injection. Therefore, we work to support these patients to be able to deal with the condition by providing necessary supplies like food, educating them and advocating for them to be able to access test kits” says Tracy Mutesi Founder of GT Foundation.
Balancing regular blood glucose testing, multiple daily injections of insulin, healthy food choices and physical activity can be very demanding to these patients who are very poor. Social support like what GT Foundation provides helps with diabetes control.
Kelia Mugabo and her young Sister were both diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at a very young age. Coming from a poor background, it means they do not have access to the medical supplies needed to manage the disease such as test strips and daily balanced diet foods.
Being supported by GT Foundation brings a bright smile to her face as she knows the big toll it takes on their family to provide for them a daily meal.
“Our doctors tell us that before we inject our selves, we should always eat first, but in most cases, our family cannot provide food every time we are hungry. I would like to thank GT Foundation for their support of the food stuffs. Now our father will not be worried about where to get food for this month as it has been provided to us.” Says 12 year old Kelia.
Dr Innocent Ndagijimana who specializes in treating these patients appreciated the support GT Foundation offered to the patients. “Diabetes is as a lifelong psychological burden on the person and their family as it is a chronic demanding disease, which requires daily management and strict adherence to medication, diet and exercise. I thank GT Foundation for supporting these patients as most of them are poor”
He reminded the patients that they are at risk of contracting COVID-19 if they do not adhere to the ministry of health guidelines of protecting themselves by washing their hands regularly and wearing face masks every time they are in public.
