March-June 2011 Issue 3

ENEZA UJUMBE The Voices of Mathare Youth

Health Life HIV /TB-MDR TB Issue 3
Real Life Heroes:
.
As Nimrod Okoth found out, TB is curable...

BLUE HOUSE CLINIC
Blue House is an outpatient clinic
located in Mathare along Juja Road
opposite Mathare Youth Sports Asso-
ciation (MYSA).
It offers TB (Tuberculosis) treatment,
TB Screening, HIV testing and Coun-
seling.
Antiretroviral drugs, Treatment of
Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis,
PMTCT and Sexual Gender Based
Violence care are also offered.
All services are absolutely free...
Inside this issue:
Editorial P2
My dream has come true.. P2
ARVs gave me a second chance P2
Ask the doctor P3
Laura’s corner P3
How to succeed P3
A journey P4
Victor cracks it Pg 4
It all started when I was in class eight. I started
having complications with my right lung. How-
ever when the pain became remarkably unbearable
I decided to approach my late mother. She took
me to a hospital in Ongata Rongai, famously
known to the residents as New Life Missionary
hospital. Various tests were done, the doctors
found nothing wrong. I proceeded to high school
thinking that I was as fit as a fiddle. In school, I
decided to join the football team. The experience
was amazing but little did I know what I was ex-
posing myself to.
The dust complicated my condition. My playing
time was cut short by the coach as I usually found
myself on the ground, unable to breathe properly.
In short my football dream was shattered. The
pain became worse day after day. All that was in
my mind was the doctor’s actual words: “You are
perfectly fine; there is nothing to worry about.”
These words meant that I cared little about my
health, and no matter how much pain I was in, I
would simply try to ignore it. After all, as a man, I
had to handle it.
Whenever my mum asked me about my condition
or how I was feeling I simply said “I am good,
never been better”. Then last October, as I was
pursuing my Kenya Certificate of Secondary Edu-
cation exams, my condition worsened. I was
taken to hospital where I underwent some tests. I
learnt that I had typhoid fever and malaria. I had
to stay in hospital for a few days and in fact, I did
my paper one and two biology exams in hospital.
To be honest, I think I did well because the envi-
ronment was biological with the medicine and all.
After that I was sent home with a letter of ap-
pointment for the next day. I never went back. By
God’s grace I was up on my feet and returned to
school to continue with my exams. By then my
mother had passed away and only my brother and
I were left.
The pain still persisted until the month of January
this year. I believed I was strong and could endure
it. I was wrong. One sunny afternoon as I was
strolling with my friend Nicholas, the pain
emerged again out of the blue. This time it was
worse than I had ever experienced. I could not
even walk as the pain was terrible. Only naturally,
Nicholas panicked; he ran and reported the matter
to his mother who is a nurse at Blue House clinic.
She came to my rescue and from then on, I look
to her as my mother and my guardian. She took
me in with open arms and with the help of other
marvellous doctors they helped me discover what
was wrong with me. For five years, I had been
suffering from TB.
My new mum is a hero to me, because if she did
not help me discover the problem, I don’t think I
would be alive today to tell this story. I am on
medication now and I am doing quite well. In fact
when I started my medication I gained three kilos
in two weeks, so if you are reading this, I would
like to say, TB has a cure, and the treatment is
free, and it’s never too late to get tested if you
suspect you or a friend could be infected. ■

Doctors Corner:
Question: I have heard that there are more and more people with drug resistant TB. How much of a
danger does this pose to me as an HIV + person?

Answer: HIV is strongly associated with MDR-TB. This occurs because HIV-positive patients have
an increased risk of developing active TB once infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Highly active
antiretroviral therapy does have an impact on rates of developing TB, and may reduce the rates of TB
in countries where patients are offered anti-HIV treatment……. Continues on page 3■
Eva Paglia
For more information contact: MSF Mathare Programme, Nairobi Kenya. Tel: (020) 2400330-Parklands office
email:msff-mathare@paris.msf.org Editing and Layout: Judith Akelle Waguma and Maimouna Jallow
March– June 2011 Page 2 Issue 3
EDITORIAL:
Let’s Open the Windows!
Eva Paglia, Psychologist also to many other experiences put into words by our fantastic Youth!
This will be my last issue as in charge of the Counseling Department. I
This slogan created by the MSF team in South Africa could not ring am deeply proud of the implementation of the Youth Group in Blue
truer. With TB on the rise globally, we the staff of MSF in Mathare, House Clinic! I am moved every time I read and comment on their
are also saying, Let’s Open the Windows! Why? Well because it is an stories and every time they meet their objectives successfully !
effective way to protect yourself and others against TB. So let the sun-
shine in this TB day (March 24) and join MSF in letting people know I am happy with the cooperation of all clinic departments, and I’m
that TB has a cure that we can fight TB together, and that TB is not deeply grateful to the MSF International Press Office team, Judith,
HIV. Susan and Maimouna for letting all this happen! The main goal of the
Newsletter is part of a psychological therapy and I can say that we
Testing and treatment is free in our Blue House clinic in Mathare. have been able to meet it! My wish for the Youth is that they become
Services are open to all residents of the area and to those living in Eas- independent one day in editing and producing their Newsletter!■
tleigh! In this third issue, we give space to testimonies about TB, but

My dream has come true.

By Caro Mutuvi

It all started with a small group. Every Friday we would meet and practice our writing skills. The end result is
the ever riveting Newsletter: Eneza Ujumbe. For us, the main reason for creating this tool was so that we could
speak out. Today, it also allows us to learn from each other and inform people of our experiences, challenges
and needs in society. Most of the youth in this group are bright orphans, living positively. If I ever took this
process for granted, and today I don’t, then I must salute the power of the word, the written text. I have
come to learn that people read what we write; they appreciate it and act on it.
Eva Paglia
I wouldn’t be where I am today were it not for this newsletter. I must say that I am one of the dedicated
writer’s of Eneza Ujumbe which is edited by my friends at Medecins Sans Frontieres in Mathare. Through my story, I was able to touch some-
one’s heart and that person came to my rescue. Now I am at the best college in the entire country, Shang Tao Media Arts College. This is a
dream come true. I feel privileged. I sit in class and see a bright future, all the things that I had thrown to the dogs, because I did not have
the money to pursue my education. I am grateful to my sponsor, Mary Kimani. Out of nowhere, when I felt the world was taking me under,
she appeared like an angel and lent me a helping hand. She read my articles and was moved. She saw the potential in me that was visible
through the written text. She discovered I was a bright girl and then decided to cover my education expenses.

I would also like to thank my hospital MSF Blue House clinic for giving us a good newsletter editor -Judy-who taught us a lot about writing.
Through this process I was also able to get into an essay contest offered by Samsung Real Dream program and won a laptop! Even though I
am not a professional writer yet, I would encourage everyone to continue learning how to write and develop the passion for writing. Maybe
one day we will be award wining writers. I also believe that our stories and collective voices are helping out many other young people like us.
So let us carry on. Lastly I would urge those who are willing to sponsor my fellow Eneza Ujumbe writers to help in the area of education.
Most of us have not pursued education due to lack of school fees. Let us all pull our resources together and help in educating the Eneza
Ujumbe voices of the Mathare youth.■

ARVs gave me a second chance

By Cynthia B
My name is Stella. I am young girl who is always happy despite being was very strong and without anything
born with HIV. I lost my parents a few years back to an HIV related to eat, I could not make it. I became
illness. Since their death, life has changed. Despite living with relatives worse everyday and eventually I was
for close to 12 years now, I have never had a place to call home. I am referred to Kenyatta National Hospi-
always in something I choose to call rotation. tal. Even after being admitted for four
months, there were no improvements.
That is, today I am in Huruma, tomorrow in Mathare or Kasarani. I
think my relatives prefer this because they fear that if I become criti- I was discharged but I was not able to
cally ill I may die in their hands. go home in my condition. I was then
Eva Paglia taken to a charity home where I could
I did my KCPE in 2005 and later joined secondary school in Kario- get proper care and medication. I spent almost a year at the home until
bangi. At that time I had TB and was on treatment. It was very hard to I was able to walk again, feed myself and go to the toilet. I was then
take my medicines without having anything for breakfast or lunch. I discharged and went home. Since that day I know that God is here and
only managed to go to school for 2 months because the medication ARV’s work!■
March- June 2011 Page 3 Issue 3

LAURA’S CORNER
Having lost her mother and sister to HIV, Laura’s almost lost the will to live. In this third episode
of her extraordinary story, she tells us about the new challenges she faces.
Finishing my KCPE exams was the highest point in my life. I was very excited, I felt ac-
complished, as it had been a long struggle.

Days and weeks passed, and I spent my time at home. It was really nice as I had time to relax and
do a few things around the house. Just about the same time, life did a three sixty on us and my
father lost his job. It was so hard, without money, or even food. Right then I saw my dreams of Doctor, Doctor!
ever joining secondary school fade right in front of my eyes.
Your medical questions, our an-
I wanted to join secondary school so badly. Christmas was approaching .This situation was too swers
hard for my family. My aunt came to our rescue by suggesting that I go and live with her. Without
….Continued from pg1
hesitating, I agreed. As we arrived at her house, I was surprised to see a big house with many
rooms. I was taken to one of the rooms to use as my bedroom. Question: Why is that I can’t access
workable solution to cure the warts in
One night I sat on the bed staring at the clock, tears streamed down my cheeks. I couldn’t help my legs. I have used pedophlyn, but it
comparing my family life and my aunt’s. I asked myself why my family was living in such poverty. does not work and as an orphan and I
There was neither food to eat nor clothes to wear. In my aunt’s house food was plenty, so much so am not working I can’t afford to buy
that she would give some away so that it wouldn’t rot. This is when I realised that life would never better solutions. What should I do?
be the same. Answer: In Blue House Clinic, MSF
doctors try to use conventional meth-
A month later, I returned home after the holiday. My results were already out and I was eager to ods of treatment, when these methods
know my grade. I was not happy with what I saw and felt completely shocked, but I still wanted to don’t work, we gather to discuss less
join secondary school. I wanted to become a journalist but my dad could not pay school fees and I conventional options such as
felt that my bad health was going to be the downfall of my whole entire life. “Iniquimod”.

My father started drinking alcohol. I could not help getting angry all the time. I mean he was drink- Question: I am in a relationship with a
ing the money that he could save to take me to school. All my age mates are going to school while guy that I like very much. When would
be the right moment to tell him that I
I am just at home. March is almost over and I haven’t heard anything from my father. Nowadays I
am HIV positive?
feel a lot of stress. This is because I don’t go to school. I am happy that at least I have Eneza
Ujumbe. Through it I and my fellow writers can express the problems we face as young adults.■ Answer: Many factors related to per-
sonality, physical and mental conditions,
HOW TO SUCCEED IN KCSE/KCPE EXAMS environmental and relational conditions
can guide the moment to disclose your
Education is like a thorny tree with sweet fruits. This course needs endurance, perseverance and status. However, it is important for the
patience. For a wise student to pass his exams, he MUST have the three qualities mentioned above. partners to objectively discuss the issue
A student must be close to his books and must be a person who does class work. Moreover one of having sex where one person is HIV
positive and the other is negative.
must have a personal time table .
Proper condom use needs to be dis-
cussed so as to enable either partners
This will enable you to know what to do or read at a given time. Never ever succumb to peer pres-
make informed decision and so to limit
sure or flow with the current like a dust particle .You might end up losing yet you are not a looser. the chances of HIV transmission, STIs
Everyone knows where he is coming from and therefore must know where he is heading. That and unwanted pregnancies.
means that a wise student must have a vision and must work hard to achieve it.■
It is not true that a person who is HIV-
cannot marry a HIV+ person. They
can marry for as long as both of them
know their status and agree to marry.

You can also visit your doctor for more

personalized advice and if you have medi-
cal questions you would like answered,
Eva Paglia come and visit us at Blue House Our
If you are an HIV positive youth living in Mathare or Eastliegh and would like to contribute to doors are open!■
the Newsletter please contact Simon Njoka Gitau on: 020 201 6881
March-June 2011
A Journey – the answers that forced me to ask more questions
By Nicholas Kamau
After finishing my primary education, I stayed at home waiting for
the results to be out. Even though I had completed the course, no
one expected me to finish because I was very sick at the time.
Whilst I was at home on holiday waiting for my results to come out,
thoughts of my childhood kept coming to my mind. The sad thing
is I don’t remember ever enjoying my days as a toddler. I was always
sick. As a result, this really slowed down the process of my educa-
tion.
Despite all that, I was feeling really great to have finished primary
school, and was now preparing to go to the next level: secondary
education. But then, sickness struck again. I had severe headaches
and backache, I was so sick and I felt so miserable. I thank God,
because my family was always by my side. Each time I complained
of pain, they would run to the chemist and get me drugs to ease it
off. But nothing changed and instead my condition went from bad
to worse. It reached a point that I was ready for death, I could not
take it. My mum, frantic with fear, took me to a nearby dispensary,
where I was treated, but this too did not work. Still I had to go to
the clinic every day.
After three days of treatment, a senior doctor at the dispensary real-
ised that I had meningitis. I remembered that this disease had killed
one of my relatives; I was scared as I knew that I was no exception,
and that I would be the next to die. Immediately the doctors put me
on very strong medication that made me unconscious. I don’t re-
Voctor cracks it…..
Geoffrey: how would you stop a cock from crowing on a Monday
morning
Victor: Just eat it for Sunday supper
John : some noise woke me up this morning
Teacher: what was that?
John: it was the crack of dawn
Message to my fellow youths
•Y- Young ones
•O- Obedient
•U-useful
•T-teachable
•H-honest
Life Lesson: Life can be understood backwards but we live it for-
wards
HOW TO WORK BETTER
•Do one thing at a time
•Learn to distinguish sense from nonsense
If you are an HIV positive youth living in Mathare or Eastliegh and would like to
contribute to the Newsletter please contact Simon Njoka Gitau on: 020 201
6881
For more information contact: MSF Mathare Programme, Nairobi Kenya. Tel: (20) 2016881 email:msff-mathare@paris.msf.org
Page 4 Issue 3
member what happened next because when I regained conscious-
nesses I found myself in a hospital ward. At first I did not know
what hospital it was but I later found out that it was Kenyatta Na-
tional Hospital due to the clothes the patients wore, including me.
At Kenyatta the level of care was very high and my condition im-
proved tremendously. I stayed in hospital for close to a month be-
fore I was discharged with a clean bill of health. Immediately after
being released from hospital, my results for the Kenya Certificate of
Primary Education were also being released. Since I was still very
weak, I did not go and collect them straight away.
A few days later when I felt stronger I went to school and learnt
that I had passed. I was so elated, I felt all the hope that had died
resurrect in me again, and at that moment, I felt alive. I was so ex-
cited about joining secondary school but I also felt sad about my
condition and felt that I was just wasting my time. At school, I fell
sick again but this time it was not as serious as before. Nevertheless,
I was determined to find out what was wrong with me. I went to a
private clinic called Blue House clinic.
There I was taught about HIV/AIDS and TB. To me the possibility
of being positive was nil. How could I be? I had never been in any
sexual relationship with anyone. Convinced that I was fine, I did the
HIV test. When the results came, everything changed. I was posi-
tive. For me, that meant that I was dead. That day marked the be-
ginning of a completely new life. Continues in the next issue….■
•Learn to ask questions
•Learn to listen more and talk less
•Be a faithful student who can be trusted
6. OBSERVATION FROM A NEIGHBOURS HOUSE(A
small boy was sent to bed by his father) Five minutes later:
SON: Dad
FATHER: what
Son: Can I talk to you for a minute?
FATHER: no you had your time. Now it’s lights out ….Ten min-
utes later………..
SON: Daaaad
FATHER: Whaaat!
SON: Can I have a glass of water?
FATHER: I said NO! If you ask that question again I will spank
you
Five minutes later…………..
SON: Daaaaaaaaaad
FATHER: What!!!!!!!
SON: When you come to spank me can you bring me a glass of wa-
ter■