Last week I was in Dar es Salaam and I was able to visit Vumi who is at Ocean Road Cancer Institute at the moment for treatment. She left Bukumbi in May to go to another hospital for a check up and then referred her back to Ocean Road where she was told she needed an operation. Vumi had a biopsy from part of her cheek and lip and at the beginning of August we were told that she had to stay there for another 6 months. 
Vumi was surprised and happy to see us and we had a good chat in the garden at the hospital ensuring that we were in the shade and Vumi’s face was shield from the sun. Vumi is in good spirits but missing her sister Pili terribly. Vumi has had radiotherapy and now chemotherapy. She said that sometimes the drugs make her feel very bad and she does not want to eat but can manage to eat porridge sometimes. She says that the hospital is good but very busy with many patients. I was really pleased to meet with Vumi’s doctor and so that we can receive weekly updates on her progress.
