Pain of losing a young family member
by Diana Magwari • 5 May 2022
Biego, a small agricultural village in Nyamira County. A first look at this village gives you an impression of peace and happiness. The green tea fields, corn plantations and coffee farms ooze a simple life, but your impression of happiness is about to change. At the heart of this village is Mrs Moraa, a middle-aged woman, mother of three. At the front of her mud-walled house is a grave that is fairly aged.
The grave of Mrs Moraa’s daughter.
That is her firstborn daughter who succumbed to a brain tumor. She says her daughter was born in 2005, healthy, at a nearby health center. A jovial child, she grew up normally. Played with other kids in the village; a typical village child. At age 4 she joined pre-primary school not too far away from home. She could trek with other kids and break at noon.
Her class performance was above average and she one day hoped to be a doctor. At the age 10 things took a completely new twist. She started complaining of severe headaches. She started using over-the-counter painkillers and they seemed to work perfectly. This continued for two years. Whenever she felt the headache, she took the painkiller and the painkiller did its magic. In the year 2017, they sought spiritual intervention from their pastor. They attended several appointments but the situation did not improve. Her school performance had dwindled and was stuck in class 4. The pastor asked the family family to seek specialized treatment. They went to the county hospital, where tests were done, but there was no conclusion about the actual problem. She was put under medication and booked for monthly appointments.
The referral hospital in Nyamusi area. This is where Mrs Moraa finally brought her daughter for treatment.
After several appointments, the doctors at the county threw the towel and sent her to a regional referral hospital. Here is where they received disturbing news that their child had developed a brain tumor. It dawned to them that the headache bouts were not normal, but instigated by the brain tumor. This was the onset of their long hospital journey. The good news was that the tumor could be controlled without surgery. She was again put into more medication. The appointments and medications cost an arm and a leg. Moraa and her husband did not have employment and they were without insurance cover. All bills depended on their farming. It wore them out. By end of 2019, they had exhausted their humble reserves and auctioned their family properties. Then a bombshell was dropped at them. The young lady needed urgent surgery if at all she was to survive. They frantically tried to get funds to no avail. No financial institution would dare touch them. They resorted to fundraising. Their local church played a huge role in mobilizing funds. Together with friends and politicians, the young lady was checked into the operating theater but did not make it out. They lost their daughter.
They were heartbroken. After the funeral, life became hard. With most of the family property sold, they were living hand to mouth. Depression kicked in, then covid-19 struck hard. They almost lost it. But their church kept them going. Giving them hope and support, counseling. They are grateful for the church as it helped them not to plunge into more pain. Today they look better and are slowly moving on.
Next article: Conservation and improvement of church forest cover.
About the author:
Diana Magwari is a Kenya based journalist who comments on topical issues.
About the images:
Both photos were taken 25 March 2022 by Diana Magwari.
Suggested citation:
Diana Magwari: Pain of losing a young family member. MissionField News (ISSN 2813-2270)
https://missionfield.news/2022/5_Pain_of_losing_young_family_member
2022-05-05.