On the morning of March 4, when millions of Kenyans were heading to polling stations to cast their vote in the country’s General Election, Betty Masamba was on her way to hospital to deliver a baby. She had started having labour pains the night before, but her husband had advised that they go to the hospital in the morning. The young couple lives in the Kibera informal settlement in Nairobi, where there are no government clinics or hospitals. Instead, providers of health services in the slum are non-governmental organisations like AMREF, faith-based organisations and churches serving a population of about 170,070.
Betty, 22, had delivered her first child at AMREF’s Kibera Community Centre but the child passed away a few months later because he was weaned too early; his digestive system could not handle the breakdown of complex foods. She was determined that this time round, she would do everything right to ensure that their baby was born healthy and grew up healthy.
AMREF Kibera staff holds the healthy baby during a clinic visit
As they crossed the railway line that cuts through Kibera, Betty’s pain intensified and she was unable to go on. So there, by the side of the railway line, she delivered her baby. Luckily, a health worker from the AMREF clinic was passing by and came to her aid.
AMREF Programme Officer Lydia Kuria was on her way to work at the AMREF Kibera Health Centre when she came across Betty having her baby. Lydia helped with the delivery and immediately took mother and baby to the health centre for post-delivery care.
Betty returned to the clinic a week later for vaccinations and follow-up checks. She has vowed to take the baby to all post-natal appointments and never to ignore any symptoms of ill health. She will also keenly follow information and instructions given to her regarding when and how to wean her baby. “My prayer is to see my grandchild or even grandchildren,” says the happy mother.
AMREF is a transparent organisation distributing funds of up to $85 million per year.
