Reduce Suffering in Kenya Via Health Care Services

Doris^* is a 30 year old indigenous Samburu woman. Married at 16 years old as the first wife of a man from the younger generation of elders, she now has seven (7) children. Even with her best efforts, most of them suffer from nutritional deficiencies because of the prolonged drought. Her husband does not support her with the children, yet he does not want her to stop giving birth, since having more children increases the status of the man in the Samburu culture and provides support with livestock management. Doris met CHAT FPCORP Susan who informed her about the short and long-term contraceptive methods available at CHAT’s mobile outreaches and also at government of Kenya health facilities. Early that morning, while CHAT’s motor mobile had set up the clinic in Neloroi, Doris showed up, carrying her last born – a 9 month-old baby – on her back and accompanied by a neighbour from the same manyatta.

CHAT nurse Pauline welcomed Doris and discussed the contraceptive method that would be best for her. Doris, however, had already made her decision and chosen the 3-year implant after a length discussion with Susan who gave thorough information on various choices of family planning options “After 7 children, I am tired of getting pregnant and of struggling to feed more mouths,” Doris narrates. She asked the nurse to insert 3yrs implant –method of her choice before the Samburu elders hanging around the clinic takes larm. This highlights that the stigma attached to women’s fertility desires when different from the male fertility ideals is still out in this remote Samburu community.

“For the whole of my life, I have never heard about anything like FP contraception, but am among the lucky few in my community who have benefitted, I wish I was able to gain this big information earlier, anyway will educate my children in future, especially considering that the only health facility closer is approximately. 35 KMs away,” Doris lamented.

Hence, she was extremely happy with the services provided at CHAT’s motor mobile clinic as Nobel Laureate Dr. Henry W. Kendall quoted, “If we don’t halt population growth with justice and compassion, it will be done for us by nature, brutally and without pity- and will leave a ravaged world.”

This quarter June- August 2016, thanks to your donations (cost shared) CHAT reached 13,335 individuals with family planning/ ecological awareness information, of which a total of 1,237 patients were treated for different conditions & 6,855 women with different FP contraception methods of their choice in 10 excluded counties in Kenya.

As CHAT, we focus on controlling the population to ensure the survival of the environment, instead of controlling the environment for the benefit of the population.

Naisherua* is a 29 years old lady and a mother of seven (7) children, with the youngest being one and a half years old. She lives in Lorubai and had to walk for hours to meet CHAT team to get family planning as she doesn’t want any more children.

“I am the third wife and though my husband is always there, he recently married a young lady and doesn’t provide for the family. He said that he had to marry as he can’t walk with me since I look older than him, although in reality, am fifteen years younger. I am a class three dropout as I was forced by my father to get married so that he could have more wealth and now here I am with nothing but the burden of providing for that old full and his children with the little I get from selling goats milk.” Naisherua narrates. I have come to for family planning services after Nteiyan (CHAT’s FPCORP) came to our manyatta and informed provided us with information on the different FP methods they are offering and how they work, as am scared of having any more children. She further confirms that it’s her first time to use family planning as she have been hearing that the the family planning methods provided have negative effect to human body, but then Nteiyan has counseled her and now want to try whichever will suit her best. CHAT nurse further counseled her and Naisherua chosen to get the 5 year implant.

“Most of women within my manyatta are as young as 13 years and have at least 3-4 kids and are still giving birth, I have accepted to try and use the five years FP method and I want to be one of the champions of family planning especially that I have 5 girls. I am trying my best to provide for them especially I am ensuring that they will have better education than I did and for those who will be married, I will ensure that they have information on Family planning so that they don’t undergo the same punishment as mine.” Naisherua further explains. “I am thankful to CHAT and the donors who have made it possible for my community and I to receive these precious services,” Naisherua smiles as she heads back home.

Between Mar-May 2016, thanks to your donations- which contributed to helping CHAT reach 16,207 individuals with family planning/ ecological awareness information and a total of 8,328 women with different FP contraception methods of their choice.

“Contraceptives unlock one of the most dormant, but potentially powerful assets in development: women as decision-makers. When women have the power to make choices about their families, they tend to decide precisely what demographers, economists, and development experts recommend. They invest in the long-term human capital of their families,” – Melinda Gates, Co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation