Reduce Suffering in Kenya Via Health Care Services

* Not their real name

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

“I am the third wife to a 54-year-old man who recently married a young lady and doesn’t provide for the family. He said he had to marry a younger girl since he can’t walk with me because I look older than him, although I am fifteen years younger! I am a school dropout. My father forced me to get married so that he could have more wealth from my dowry, and now here I am with nothing but the burden of providing for that old man and his children with the little I get from selling goats milk.” Naisherua narrated.

“When CORP Margaret came to our home to teach us, my husband was drunk into a stupor. He did not even oppose what she was saying. He just wanted her to finish and leave. I took her teachings seriously, so I had to come to this car for the 5-years implant she talked about. I cannot have more children, and my co-wife is pregnant. I can only dread her having as many children as I do. Maybe I will help her when she finally has her first child.” She continued.

“Most of the women within my manyatta are as young as 13 years, have at least 3-4 kids, and are still giving birth; I have agreed to try and use the five-year FP contraception method. I am trying my best to provide for my children. I will ensure they will have a better education than I did, and for those who will be married, I will ensure that they have information on fp so that they don’t undergo the same as me.” Naisherua finished. “I am thankful to CHAT and the donors who have made it possible for my community and me to receive these invaluable services,” Naisherua smiled as she returned home.

Thanks to GG support, in the past three months, CHAT was able to reach a total of 8,315 individuals with behaviour change information (bcc). 1,211 fp clients received different contraception methods of their choice, of which 902 chose the long-term pregnancy protection methods of either 3 or 5 years - against unwanted pregnancies.

“Birth control is the first important step woman must take toward the goal of her freedom. It is the first step she must take to be a man’s equal. It is the first step they must both take toward human emancipation.” - Margaret Sanger