Soji

Soji, a remarkable fourteen-year-old girl from Mbeya, Tanzania, whose spirit shines brightly even in the face of unimaginable challenges. She is the fourth of seven siblings. She lived in a remote village with her aunty where she helped care for her and did household and shamba chores. She dreamed of going to school.

At the age of 11, Soji’s life took an unexpected turn when a small swelling appeared on the left side of her neck. Although the swelling caused no pain, persistent fevers signaled that something serious was amiss.

Her family rushed her back home to her mother, who immediately sought medical attention at Chunya Hospital in the far South West of Tanzania. From there, she was transferred to Ikonda Hospital which thank goodness is a TLM NCCN partner hospital so they knew what to do and who to contact when they suspected Soji might have cancer. TLM transport team immediately arranged for her smooth referral to Muhimbili National Hospital. Here she was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma which had already advanced to stage 3. Although quite advanced with the right care and treatment there is still an excellent chance of cure.

But Soji’s story isn’t just about her battle with cancer; it’s about her indomitable will to learn and grow, even when the odds were stacked against her.

Living with her aunt, Soji’s opportunity for education seemed out of reach. Financial constraints and her aunt’s need for constant care meant that school was a distant dream. However, in the midst of her cancer treatment, Soji found a lifeline through Tumaini La Maisha’s schooling program. Enrolled in class, Soji began to slowly but steadily learn to read and write.

Today, her progress is nothing short of inspiring. Not only is her cancer treatment working—the swelling has regressed, and the fevers have disappeared—but Soji’s educational journey has also blossomed. She can now proudly write her name, and she continues to study, all while bravely undergoing her treatment.

Soji’s story is a powerful reminder of hope and the transformative power of the TLM vision.  It’s a story of a community turning a terrible event in a child’s life into a new and exciting opportunity; coming together to nurture both the body and the mind of a young girl who refused to give up. Soji continues to pave her way towards a brighter future, one step at a time. Once her treatment is finished we plan to find a way to make sure Soji’s schooling continues to give her the bright future she deserves.