In the heart of the slums of Kampala, Uganda, Gianfranco Ugo (Vice President of Fondazione Italia Uganda) and his wife Patrizia met little Stellah and learned of her personal story—one of poverty, illness, and hope.
Stellah is only four years old, but her body already bears deep marks of pain: a prominent scar where her right arm should be, deformed little feet, and great difficulty moving. Most of all, she struggles to do what she loves most: going to school and learning.
Due to terrible injuries inflicted by her stepmother when she was very young, the burns and subsequent infections she suffered worsened over time, permanently compromising her development. Eventually, doctors had to amputate her right hand.
Yet, Stellah smiles. A fragile but powerful smile, just like the hope she carries within.
A Plea for Help
Recently, Stellah’s grandmother reached out to our Foundation for help. Gianfranco went to meet the little girl and chose to support her through distance sponsorship immediately. Today, Stellah can attend school and dream of a different future.
Her greatest wish is to write her own fairy tale, filled with colorful drawings to make every child in the world smile. But to do so, she needs urgent surgery to restore minimal functionality to her hand, allowing her to hold a pencil, a marker, or a pen.
To help Stellah and many other children like her, we have established a Free Medicine Fund: a project created to guarantee medical care, medication, and life-saving operations for those who would otherwise have no other options.
What We Can Do Together
Father Giovanni, who dedicated his life to those who had nothing, taught us something simple yet powerful: never say “no” to those who ask for help.
Today, it is Stellah who is asking. And we must answer.