Fix Buffy's Heart: A Cry from Uganda

Update as of 4/17/24: Buffy is out of surgery. She ended up needing three stents instead of the two, so the hospital needs her to pay an additional $1,600 before she can discharge from the hospital. Thanks for your continued prayers and support.

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Update as of 4/16/24: The heart surgery is scheduled for tomorrow. The generous donations got Buffy that far. She needs $1,685 more for follow up care and travel back. Please consider helping her get home to Abby and help the orphanage who depends on her.

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Hi, my name is Sarah Frye, and I am currently in Uganda visiting my cousin Shelia "Buffy" Buff. Nearly a decade ago, Buffy answered God's calling and left her life as a nurse in Cochran, Georgia to teach bible at various primary schools and an orphanage, the Mirembe Cottage for Street Girls, in Uganda. I have never seen someone more meant to be where they are and living out their purpose in this world.

What's most inspiring about Buffy's story is that on her third trip to Uganda in 2013, they brought this very malnourished four-week-old baby into the orphanage that weighed merely 4 pounds. It was at this moment Buffy lost her heart for the third time (first to Uganda, second when they opened Mirembe, and now to this little girl). She never stopped thinking of that child and has since come to adopt her. Abby is now 10-years-old and thriving. I met her for the first time upon my arrival here Thursday and have spent the past several days getting to know Abby and going from school to school watching Buffy teach bible to hundreds of kids. These children know Bible history, the 10 commandments, scripture, and more. I am beyond impressed.

On March 12th, Buffy experienced chest pains and suffered a heart attack. (She called me shortly after to assure me I must still come on the trip :) ). After a week's stay at the Nile International Hospital, they discharged her with medication.

Then on the 25th of March, Buffy again experienced chest pains and was admitted overnight for observation. Then she was sent to Kamapala (Uganda's capital) for a CT angiogram with contrast to determine the amount of damage from the original heart attack. The results showed 70-90% blockage in the main artery that feeds the heart and 20-30% blockage in another artery.

She needs surgery to save her life: a heart catheter and two stents are required. Unfortunately, she cannot return to teaching until she gets the surgery... and she cannot get the surgery until she raises the necessary funds to pay for it IN ADVANCE. Her medicare does not work here, and the travel to America is much too strenuous and costly, and this would likely result in Abby being taken away from her.

Now, I'm not normally a social media person, but I thought, "Hey I'm here in Uganda for a reason -- if my nest of healers and supporters can help lift this woman up so she can return to doing God's work and being the best momma, I know Abby, Buffy, and I would surely appreciate it."

With love and gratitude,

Sarah

P.S. If you want to know the breakdown of costs, feel free to message me directly.

P.S.S. If you would like a tax deduction for donating, payments can be made via the Muzira Ministries Facebook page: https://bit.ly/3vL4iUX.