WORKING AT SOWETO, KAYOLE  HEALTH CLINIC

We have men and women who work tirelessly to serve the community at Soweto health clinic. Fredrick Baraza and Pamela Andanyi share with us their experiences at the clinic.

Fredrick Baraza, Initially joined the clinic as a Health Community Volunteer, through AEE Kenya he was able to be trained as a VCT counsellor as well as get training on counselling psychology.

“I have been here since the time when Kayole was a proper slum and have witnessed the growth and development of Kayole. The one thing that has not changed is what the clinic means to the community. It is the most affordable facility yet provides the best health services available. The ongoing construction of the maternity building is a cause for excitement for the community. We provide Antenatal care for expectant women but the dire need for a functioning maternity ward was laid bare about a week ago when a pregnant woman was in labour and she was rushed here by a boda boda(motorbike). Just as she got off the bike, the child was here. It was distressing, but our trained nurses did the best they could and we thank God that  both the mother and baby girl are well and healthy. They are actually due for the babies first vaccination and check-up. I do believe that once the maternity ward is up and running, we will be better equipped to serve the people of Kayole better.”

“My name is Pamela Andanyi, I have been working at this clinic since 2013, working primarily with HIV & TB patients but also with expectant women. I have experienced a lot of ups and downs in my time here. But I can confidently say that this community benefits so much from this clinic. I can attest to this myself.

I first came to this clinic in 2006. I was bed ridden, suffering from HIV, TB and Meningitis. I was not able to care for myself at all. But they ensured that I received the correct medication and care and even went as far as ensuring they made me porridge to drink daily since I had no way of providing meals for myself and my son who was clearing high school at that time. When I got better, I felt compelled to find a way to give back to the clinic, and they trained me as a Community Health worker. And by 2013, I was working here fulltime ensuring that people in my neighborhood who suffered as I did were reached and brought to the clinic for treatment and care whenever possible. And I can confidently say that since then, no one in my community suffers alone knowing they can receive help in this clinic.

I am especially excited for the construction of the maternity clinic as this will hugely benefit the community. A number of times we have had to take women to distant hospitals to deliver their babies, and it has not been easy. I remember an instance where we were mugged while on our way to a hospital with the expectant mother, it was a traumatic event. But now we are looking forward to having a fully functioning ward where we can care for all mothers to be.”