Fifteen year old Elizabeth from Busia County was diagnosed with leukaemia at age nine. For the past six years, Elizabeth’s life has been dominated by long hospital stays over 100 miles from home, painful tests and gruelling treatment. Her illness has deeply affected her family; her brothers moved in with their grandmother, and her mother, the sole provider, had to leave work to care for her. The emotional and financial strain is immense.
In Kenya, limited cancer treatment facilities and high travel costs mean children are often hospitalised for months at a time, separating families. Palliative care is misunderstood and often avoided due to its association with death – leaving children to suffer in silence.
Thanks to our training for health workers at Moi Hospital in Eldoret, Elizabeth now receives care from nurses newly trained in paediatric palliative care. For the first time, her care addresses her emotional needs. We have also helped develop a programme of play therapy and sibling visitations. Elizabeth now benefits from play therapy and the project organises visits from her brothers and sisters, bringing her joy and a sense of normality. Palliative care didn’t just ease her pain – it gave her hope, happiness and strength.
Please donate here today to help us reach more children like Elizabeth and support more families in crisis.