The man had a difficult life as he dealt with a massive tumor for 25 years. This ailment had a significant impact on his well-being, causing him to be unemployed and ultimately leading to the departure of his beloved wife. Various theories have been proposed to explain the cause of his condition, with some attributing it to witchcraft and others believing it to be a divine punishment. Regardless, the question remains: what caused the man’s leg to become so swollen and distorted?
In Buguruni, Tanzania, we had the opportunity to hear about the life of a man and how society treats him. Mashaka Qasim, a 35-year-old man from Morogoro, was born perfectly healthy with no illnesses. He had big dreams and was a good boy. However, his health took a turn for the worse when he turned 11 years old in 1998, while he was in primary six. This change marked the beginning of a painful life for him. Despite these challenges, Mashaka has managed to make a living.
One day, while playing football with his friends, the boy suddenly felt a strange sensation and noticed that his leg had started to swell. His friends immediately noticed the change and began to panic, asking if he was okay. The 11-year-old checked his leg and was shocked by what he saw. Thankfully, both of his parents were alive at the time and didn’t think it was a serious issue since their son had no other health problems. They tried everything to help him recover and return to his normal activities, visiting various hospitals hoping for a solution, but none of them seemed to be working.
After seeking help from various churches and hoping for a miracle, their efforts proved futile. In a last ditch effort, they consulted traditional doctors who offered them hope, but sadly it didn’t work out. This was a defining moment as the man realized he had to live with his ailment while struggling to make ends meet in a foreign land. Fortunately, he secured a job as a conductor when his condition wasn’t as severe, which allowed him to alleviate his financial struggles. This became his lifelong occupation, as it provided him the means to earn a living just like any other person.
Once he had established himself and secured employment, all that was left to do was find a suitable partner. After tying the knot and welcoming their first child into the world, the man began experiencing significant swelling in his leg. Sadly, the condition only worsened, causing him unbearable pain and rendering him unable to continue working. He became reliant on his spouse for financial support, but despite their growing family’s needs, she proved to be less than supportive. Within just five years of their marriage, she abandoned him, even though they had vowed to stay together until death did them part. It was ultimately the leg tumor that caused them to separate, as the wife cited the man’s inability to provide for their family as the reason for her departure.
Afterward, the woman tied the knot with another man, but unfortunately, she still resides close to the same locality. Occasionally, the ex-couple meets and converses despondently while the man claims that his former spouse is now only a friend. As a result of his health issues and struggles in life, he has no intentions of marrying again due to his illness. Seeking advice from seasoned medical professionals, he was informed that his treatment options in Tanzania were limited, and advanced treatment from overseas was necessary. Consequently, they reached out to a hospital in India, sending the man’s medical documents and pictures depicting his condition.
According to one of the hospital’s senior doctors, the 35-year-old man can be treated with a hot treatment process that costs a staggering $7500. Unfortunately, this news was devastating for him as he already struggles to afford food on a daily basis since he is currently unemployed. He reached out to friends, family, and even N1 for help, but due to his poor background, he received no contributions and almost lost hope. His leg pain is so severe that it makes it difficult for him to walk and sleep. He often relies on painkillers to alleviate the pain, but last year his leg developed some wounds, which made him fear that he might have cancer. After 24 years of suffering from this condition, he still does not know what exact illness he is suffering from as he has visited many places in search of a cure. People have provided different opinions, some suggesting that it may have been caused by a certain mosquito or witchcraft. However, negative comments from people who believe it was a punishment for committing adultery hurt and break his heart. Despite this, he remains strong and moves on, as everyone has their own opinion. It’s important to note that he was just a child when this condition began.
