By Anne Gildea | Director of Program Development
This is the story of Ednah. Ednah’s story is a sad one, and highlights the importance of HopeCore’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Program and the Maternal and Child Health Program, and the need for the youth in this region to be more aware of the consequences for having unprotected sex. Ednah is 16. Upon hearing of her pregnancy, the father of the child, and her mother, rejected her. Ednah found herself homeless and pregnant.
Ednah gave birth to a healthy, happy baby boy in July 2016 year in Nairobi. But during labor, she was injured. The perineal wall was torn, and she suffered from feces passing through on both sides of the wall. Not wanting to return to school where the other children would mock her, she chose to live in squatters’ quarters at a tea farm. Due to the extreme pain caused by this tear, Ednah reached out to the family of a HopeCore nurse, who brought her case to our attention. It was believed that Ednah was suffering from a fistula. HopeCore identified St. Mary’s Hospital in Nairobi as one that would offer fistula surgeries free of charge. Once Ednah was actually examined at St. Mary’s, it was discovered that it was a torn perineal wall instead of a Fistula. She was operated on and was back at home within the week.
It is stories like these that demonstrate the need for the maternal and child health workshops, because who is going to teach Ednah how to care for her child if her mother has abandoned her? Furthermore, it demonstrates the need for our health hotline. Some women and girls have no other resources and therefore, the health hotline becomes even more necessary. From this experience, we highlight the intersection between our sexual and reproductive health program, and our maternal and child health clinics.
Below are some other quotes from women who have participated in our clinics:
"The lectures that you offer are of great benefit to us. The family planning services and treatment offered also saves us from travelling far to get them."
-Stella, Murunga Primary School
"I came so that I could learn about how my child is growing and have my child be treated by HopeCore's nurses. Today, I learned that it is important to take my child to the clinic regularly for growth monitoring and family planning. I am very very happy with the services you have offered. Please come again soon."
-Annrita, Kieni Primary
By Anne Gildea | Executive Director
By Dr. Kajira Mugambi, Esq. | CEO and Founder/President
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