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Author Archives: Maryanne W. Waweru

Maryanne is an award-winning Kenyan motherhood blogger who publishes on her online platform www.mummytales.com. She is also a journalist specializing in human interest and health reporting, with a bias in maternal and child health. She is based in the capital city of Nairobi.

How My Decision Not to go to Hospital Early Cost me Dearly

We met 45-year-old Catherine Chebet at the 13th Fistula National Camp held at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in July 2019. A teary but beaming Catherine, who hails from Bomet county, shared her fistula journey with us. “My second pregnancy was one that I enjoyed; it was smooth without any complications. However, the outcome was …Read More

Why My 11-Year-Old Son Offered to Pay for My Fistula Repair Surgery

33-year-old Beth Cecilia Piyai from Kajiado county is a mother of five. Her children –all boys -are aged 11 years, 9 years, 7 years, 5 years and 2 years. After delivering her lastborn child two years ago, Beth, an unemployed widow, developed a fistula, and had no means to have it repaired. But as from …Read More

I Feared Getting Pregnant Again Because of My Traumatic Birth Experience

Adelaide Khabere Ganira is a 46-year-old mother of two daughters, aged 26 years and 24 years. Originally from Kaimosi in Western Kenya, Adelaide is a businesswoman who operates in Kiserian, Kajiado County. Adelaide has lived with a fistula for the last two decades. She talks about this journey. “My experience began after I delivered my …Read More

I Have Pledged to Become a Volunteer to the Organization that Helped me Access Free Fistula Repair Surgery

When 24 year-old Trizah Okal welcomed her first baby in March this year, she was delighted at the new chapter of her life. “I was so excited to hold my son in my arms. It has been a relatively smooth pregnancy and I was grateful for the positive outcome –a bouncing baby boy,” she says. …Read More

“In Addition to Losing my Son, I Also Began Leaking Urine” – Mwanarabu’s Story

My name is Mwanarabu Mwambasa, and I come from Vihiga County in Western Kenya. I am 20 years old and I am educated up to class 8. I have lived with fistula for five years now, and this is my story. At the age of 15 years, I fell pregnant. It was a relatively uneventful …Read More

“I Thought I was the Only One who was Suffering in Silence” –Marion’s Story

41 year-old Marion Wambui, a casual farm laborer from Nyeri County, Central Kenya and a mother of two, has been living with fistula for the last 20 years. It all began with the birth of her second child in 1997. “I had enjoyed a good pregnancy, but I wish I could say the same of …Read More

I Gave Birth in the Dark Forest and Developed a Fistula in the Process

43 year-old Juliet Muthoni is a vegetable vendor in her hometown in Nyeri County. She is a mother of three children aged between 5 years and 15 years. Her dream to bring to life her fourth child in April 2015 is however a painful memory etched deep in her heart. It all began on the …Read More

“My Life is now Back on Track: My Dignity has been Restored!” Milka Mailu’s Story

The motherhood journey for 26 year-old Milkah Mailu from Kwale County in Kenya’s Coast Province has not been an easy one. A class eight dropout, Milkah fell pregnant at the age of 20 years. At that time, she was still living with her parents in a rural village in Shimba Hills. When it was time …Read More

“I’m Now Ready to Fully Embark on my Political Ambitions!” -Evalynne Nekesa

47 year-old Evalynne Nekesa is a primary school teacher in Bungoma County, Western Kenya. She is married with four children. Evalynne enjoys motherhood and all the responsibilities that come along with it. This is evident in the way she talks about her children, with such love and passion. However, beneath the radiant smile on her …Read More

“I Took too Long to Get to the Hospital, and Hence Lost my Baby” -Naropil’s Story

When 15 year-old Naropil Enole Kereto got married to her 29 year-old husband in 2010, she was a happy young lady. She had acquired the much coveted status of being somebody’s wife –a second wife. Naropil comes from Narok County in Kenya’s Rift Valley province. In her Maasai community, polygamy is not unusual. Having never …Read More