Kityo gives childmothers hope for new life

 In Uganda it was had become a culture for girls to drop out of school if they got pregnant. Some girls would face serious punishments like being sent away from home, being beaten seriously or forced to marry the man responsible for the pregnancy. However there is good news; all hope is not lost since people like Vivian Kityo are coming up to help girls who get unwanted pregnancies by giving them love, shelter and money making skills.

"I had always heard of women who take their daughters to stay with their grandparents whenever they would plan to travel. These girls, I would hear, faced a number of difficulties while their mothers were away, and among which are unwanted pregnancies. So a recent trip to Wakisa Ministries, a local charity, gifted me with a whole new and enlightened experience about such girls."
Started in August 2005, Wakisa is an information and counseling facility for girls and their families facing unwanted pregnancies.

Vivian Kityo.  Photo/Esther Namirimu

There, I met Vivian Wakisa Kityo, the founder of the facility, whose vision and passion has created such a huge impact on girls living through the trauma, confusion and rejection that comes with unwanted pregnancies.

She told me how it all started.

 “One day I was attending a conference and I heard a lady talk about her daughter who had died after trying to abort. When she mentioned the name of the girl, I realized that it was the same girl I had nursed in Nsambya hospital. The medical team all tried all they could to save this girl’s life but we lost her to septicemia.”

Vivian with one of the beneficiaries of Wakisa Ministries. Photo/Esther Namirimu

Seven years later, the girl’s mother still mourned her loss.

“It was then that I realized that there were so many young girls out there who needed a home, love and care during a hard time. So I started Wakisa Ministries,” said Kityo.

Some of the girls were impregnated by their relatives and many were abandoned – driven out of home by their angry parents.

To-date, the Christian charity has helped over 600 pregnant girls by accommodating them, counseling and advising them not to abort.

       Sometimes, mothers get detached from their daughters, especially when the girls are going through a delicate period of their lives. Experts have, among other things, blamed this on the mothers’ tight schedules which afford them very little or no time to spend with their daughters.

And when adolescent girls experience this sense of vacuum, they are left with no one to confide in.

In some cases, their curiosity leads them to engaging in sexual activities, which at worst, leaves them pregnant. Consequently, many are sent out of home to “go and stay with their husbands”. While some will dare go for abortions, especially on the pressure of the males that impregnated them, others, out of fear of the potential dangers of abortions, will keep the child.

Vivian showing the sinks where the girls wash their clothes. Photo/Esther Namirimu

I talked to some girls at the facility about their personal experiences. The 16-year-old says meeting Kityo was the best thing that ever happened to her. Having come from Democratic Republic of Congo, pregnant and no one to take care of her, Kityo gave Dorcus new hope for the future. Since Dorcus has no home to return to after giving birth, she is now living with Kityo in her home.

“Mummy treats me well, as if I am her youngest daughter,” she says.
“I do not know what would have happened to me if I had not met mummy – every day I thank God for her.”   

                                                                                                                                   Brenda (not real name)                                                                                                                                           Brenda was abused by her father for two years until she conceived and ran away from home. Wakisa Ministries rescued her but she had kept the secret of the paternity of her unborn baby.

This man continued coming to visit her. He wanted to take her home. That was when a bitter Brenda, now 13, confessed to Kityo that it was her father who had abused her sexually and that she did not want to go back home.

The Wakisa founder called the police and briefed them about the issue. So when the father came to pick the girl, the plain-clothed police handcuffed the man and took him away. He is now in Luzira.

Brenda gave birth to very tiny twins. To her, the babies were some form of dolls. She played with them and did not see them as children. Wakisa Ministries traced her relatives in Masaka and she is now living with them.                              

                                                                                                                                     Sharon(not real name)  At 13, Sharon is expecting a baby. She was a victim of rape at the hands of her stepfather. One time, the man beat up his wife so bad that she had to be hospitalized. While the woman nursed her wounds away in hospital, the man used the opportunity to rape Sharon.

When the man’s relatives found out that the girl was pregnant and that the case had been reported to the police, they wanted to finish her off – kill her. That is when someone took her to Wakisa Ministries.

She is now eight months pregnant.

Well, these three humbling accounts are only a tip of a gigantic iceberg. More and more girls do share similar, and even worse, experiences.

What troubles me more is that the innocence of many of these girls is snatched right away from them by their very own relatives – fathers, brothers, uncles, step-fathers.

Wakisa Ministries is a library of so many of such sad stories.                                                                                      Girls come from as far as Rwanda, DRC and Somalia                                                                           

Vivian Kityo, through her brainchild, has come to the rescue of hundreds of teenagers, gifting them with a second chance at life by accommodating them throughout the difficult pregnancy stage.

She says: “These girls have been rejected by their parents, sent away from their homes and have nowhere to go just because they are pregnant and their parents are mad at them at the moment. Most of these girls have high anxiety and might be forced into abortions or committing suicide.

Vivian shows off the postcards made by the girls. Photo/Esther Namirimu

“We do not just sit still, but offer emotional and physical support to them. However a relative of each of the girls has to sign a consent form that allows us to look after their daughter.

Once a president of the Mothers Union of Namiriembe diocese, Kityo says they are looking after 21 girls and three are on the waiting list. The girls are aged from 13 to 19 years old.    “We have girls from as far as Kigali, Somalia, and DR Congo.

“We would love to help more at the same time but the problem is limited space. We are presently building an extension but need funds to finish the work. We get handouts from people – companies like DFCU gave us 45 bags of cement to advance the building. We use that support received to feed these girls and also foot their medical bills.” 

A doctor visits Wakisa Ministries every Tuesday to check on the health of the girls. More importantly, the girls are not allowed to sit idly and worry about their problems.

“We have invented activities like music dance and drama, handcrafting, cookery classes, tailoring, urban agriculture and also bible study. We do not force any one to become Christian but since I am Christian, I need the children to have Christian values,” she says.

Vivian and one of the beneficiaries show off the crafts made by the girls. Photo/Esther Namirimu

And adds: “Apart from giving them skills, we also care, counsel and show them that they are loved. We make sure that they eat a balanced diet – they eat chicken, eggs three times a week and we also have a small garden where we grow the greens.

Vivian shows off the chicken house. Photo/Esther Namirimu

“But unfortunately the policy states that we only stay with someone who is pregnant. Once one gives birth, we meet with her relatives, counsel them into accepting their daughter back. What is funny is that parents will always be happy at the news of the birth of the [their] grandchild.  She says at that time, the relatives have already “forgiven” the girl and duly accept to them back home.

But for Wakisa, it does not just stop there – at giving back the child mother to her relatives.

“We raise some money and sponsor those clever girls back to school. 41 girls have not returned to school and four are already at the university,” she says, and adds that: “One studied nursing at Nsambya hospital. Every year we have an Open Day where all the girls come back with their children and give the current beneficiaries encouragement.”                                                                                                                                           Who is Vivian Kityo                                                                                                                                Born to Dr. Luumu Emanuel, Kityo was raised in a God-fearing family. She attended Namagunga Primary school, then Old Kampala secondary school. After her O’ Level she studied nursing at Nsambya Mission hospital.

In 1980 she got married to her husband of 10 years, the late Dr. George Kityo, who was a doctor-turned-priest. A decade into their marriage, he died.

She has a diploma in Health Administration and a Degree in Administrative Studies. She is currently pursuing a degree in Counseling. Kityo was the president of the Mothers Union at Namiriembe diocese for three years. Then she became a trainer of trainees for two years and later was elected the Provincial President of Mothers Union in the whole of Uganda for three years. She was later elected trustee of Mothers Union at International level for six years.                                                                                                                                                                Awards   

Vivian with an award she won received from Gaba Rotary club./ Photo by Esther Namirimu

She has won a Presidential Award, in recognition of the outstanding ministry and dedication to the lost youth of Uganda.

In December 2006, she received a Girl Power Ministry Award; she also has an award from Rotary Club of Kampala West.

Kityo is also holds an award of honour given to her by the President of Youth for Christ, Jean Jacques Meile.

On top of that, she has a Vocational Award from Rotary Club of Kampala Central District 92000.

In December 2013, she received an award from the Rotary Club of Gaba.

Vivian receiving an award from members of Gaba Rotary club.

Photo/Esther Namirimu

Sarah Lubega, the president of Rotary Club of Gaba appreciated the good work done by Wakisa Ministries and promised to support the construction of the dormitory annex.                   

Malaria kills more people than HIV/AIDS

On Friday 11th April 2014, I received a call informing me that Ebifa Mukoda had died. Ebifa was our family friend, so close in that we addressed her as Auntie. When I asked what happened, I was told that she had died of Malaria. I think she would have survived if she had taken the disease seriously and got immediate medical attention.

Ebifa was a good woman with a generous heart; she had adopted 15 teenagers and given them a home and love. Up to now its still so had to believe that she is gone too soon. She will be laid to rest today at one of her homes in Bamburi, Mombasa Kenya.

Many people do not believe that Malaria is fatal and unless they lose a relative or a close friend they will never take the disease seriously and get proper treatment.

25th April 2014 is World Malaria Day, I wish this sensitization had started a little bit earlier on, may be Ebifa would still be alive.

Global efforts to control and eliminate malaria have saved an estimated 3.3 million lives since 2000, reducing malaria mortality rates by 42% globally and 49% in Africa. Increased political commitment and expanded funding have helped to reduce malaria incidence by 25% globally, and 31% in Africa.

But we are not there yet. Malaria still kills an estimated 627 000 people every year, mainly children under 5 years of age in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2013, 97 countries had on-going malaria transmission.

Every year, more than 200 million cases occur; most of these cases are never tested or registered. Emerging drug and insecticide resistance threaten to reverse recent gains.

If the world is to maintain and accelerate progress against malaria, in line with Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 6, and to ensure attainment of MDGs 4 and 5, more funds are urgently required.
The theme for 2014 and 2015 is: Invest in the future. Defeat malaria

Key facts about Malaria according to the World Health Organisation

• Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
• In 2012, malaria caused an estimated 627 000 deaths (with an uncertainty range of 473 000 to 789 000), mostly among African children.
• Malaria is preventable and curable.
• Increased malaria prevention and control measures are dramatically reducing the malaria burden in many places.
• Non-immune travellers from malaria-free areas are very vulnerable to the disease when they get infected.

According to the latest estimates, released in December 2013, there were about 207 million cases of malaria in 2012 (with an uncertainty range of 135 million to 287 million) and an estimated 627 000 deaths (with an uncertainty range of 473 000 to 789 000). Malaria mortality rates have fallen by 42% globally since 2000, and by 49% in the WHO African Region.
Most deaths occur among children living in Africa where a child dies every minute from malaria. Malaria mortality rates among children in Africa have been reduced by an estimated 54% since 2000.
Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites. The parasites are spread to people through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes, called "malaria vectors", which bite mainly between dusk and dawn.
There are four parasite species that cause malaria in humans:

• Plasmodium falciparum
• Plasmodium vivax
• Plasmodium malariae
• Plasmodium ovale.

Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax are the most common. Plasmodium falciparum is the most deadly.
In recent years, some human cases of malaria have also occurred with Plasmodium knowlesi – a species that causes malaria among monkeys and occurs in certain forested areas of South-East Asia.

Transmission

Malaria is transmitted exclusively through the bites of Anopheles mosquitoes. The intensity of transmission depends on factors related to the parasite, the vector, the human host, and the environment.

About 20 different Anopheles species are locally important around the world. All of the important vector species bite at night. Anopheles mosquitoes breed in water and each species has its own breeding preference; for example some prefer shallow collections of fresh water, such as puddles, rice fields, and hoof prints.

 Transmission is more intense in places where the mosquito lifespan is longer (so that the parasite has time to complete its development inside the mosquito) and where it prefers to bite humans rather than other animals. For example, the long lifespan and strong human-biting habit of the African vector species is the main reason why about 90% of the world's malaria deaths are in Africa.

Transmission also depends on climatic conditions that may affect the number and survival of mosquitoes, such as rainfall patterns, temperature and humidity. In many places, transmission is seasonal, with the peak during and just after the rainy season.

Malaria epidemics can occur when climate and other conditions suddenly favour transmission in areas where people have little or no immunity to malaria. They can also occur when people with low immunity move into areas with intense malaria transmission, for instance to find work, or as refugees.

Human immunity is another important factor, especially among adults in areas of moderate or intense transmission conditions. Partial immunity is developed over years of exposure, and while it never provides complete protection, it does reduce the risk that malaria infection will cause severe disease. 

For this reason, most malaria deaths in Africa occur in young children, whereas in areas with less transmission and low immunity, all age groups are at risk.

Symptoms

Malaria is an acute febrile illness. In a non-immune individual, symptoms appear seven days or more (usually 10–15 days) after the infective mosquito bite.

The first symptoms – fever, headache, chills and vomiting – may be mild and difficult to recognize as malaria. If not treated within 24 hours, P. falciparum malaria can progress to severe illness often leading to death. 

Children with severe malaria frequently develop one or more of the following symptoms: severe anaemia, respiratory distress in relation to metabolic acidosis, or cerebral malaria.

In adults, multi-organ involvement is also frequent. In malaria endemic areas, persons may develop partial immunity, allowing asymptomatic infections to occur.

For both P. vivax and P. ovale, clinical relapses may occur weeks to months after the first infection, even if the patient has left the malarious area. These new episodes arise from dormant liver forms known as hypnozoites (absent in P. falciparum and P. malariae); special treatment – targeted at these liver stages – is required for a complete cure.

Who is at risk?

Approximately half of the world's population is at risk of malaria. Most malaria cases and deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa. However, Asia, Latin America, and to a lesser extent the Middle East and parts of Europe are also affected. In 2013, 97 countries and territories had ongoing malaria transmission.
Specific population risk groups include:

• young children in stable transmission areas who have not yet developed protective immunity against the most severe forms of the disease;
• non-immune pregnant women as malaria causes high rates of miscarriage and can lead to maternal death;
• semi-immune pregnant women in areas of high transmission. Malaria can result in miscarriage and low birth weight, especially during first and second pregnancies;
• semi-immune HIV-infected pregnant women in stable transmission areas, during all pregnancies. Women with malaria infection of the placenta also have a higher risk of passing HIV infection to their newborns;
• people with HIV/AIDS;
• international travellers from non-endemic areas because they lack immunity;
• immigrants from endemic areas and their children living in non-endemic areas and returning to their home countries to visit friends and relatives are similarly at risk because of waning or absent immunity.

Diagnosis and treatment

Early diagnosis and treatment of malaria reduces disease and prevents deaths. It also contributes to reducing malaria transmission.
The best available treatment, particularly for P. falciparum malaria, is artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT).
WHO recommends that all cases of suspected malaria be confirmed using parasite-based diagnostic testing (either microscopy or rapid diagnostic test) before administering treatment. Results of parasitological confirmation can be available in 15 minutes or less. Treatment solely on the basis of symptoms should only be considered when a parasitological diagnosis is not possible. More detailed recommendations are available in the Guidelines for the treatment of malaria (second edition).

Prevention

Vector control is the main way to reduce malaria transmission at the community level. It is the only intervention that can reduce malaria transmission from very high levels to close to zero.
For individuals, personal protection against mosquito bites represents the first line of defence for malaria prevention.
Two forms of vector control are effective in a wide range of circumstances.

Insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs)

Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are the preferred form of ITNs for public health distribution programmes. WHO recommends coverage for all at-risk persons; and in most settings. The most cost effective way to achieve this is through provision of free LLINs, so that everyone sleeps under a LLIN every night.

Indoor spraying with residual insecticides

Indoor residual spraying (IRS) with insecticides is a powerful way to rapidly reduce malaria transmission. Its full potential is realized when at least 80% of houses in targeted areas are sprayed.

Indoor spraying is effective for 3–6 months, depending on the insecticide used and the type of surface on which it is sprayed. DDT can be effective for 9–12 months in some cases.

Longer-lasting forms of existing IRS insecticides, as well as new classes of insecticides for use in IRS programmes, are under development.

Antimalarial medicines can also be used to prevent malaria. For travellers, malaria can be prevented through chemoprophylaxis, which suppresses the blood stage of malaria infections, thereby preventing malaria disease.

 In addition, WHO recommends intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine for pregnant women living in high transmission areas, at each scheduled antenatal visit after the first trimester. Similarly, for infants living in high-transmission areas of Africa, 3 doses of intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine is recommended delivered alongside routine vaccinations.

In 2012, WHO recommended Seasonal Malaria Chemo prevention as an additional malaria prevention strategy for areas of the Sahel sub-Region of Africa. The strategy involves the administration of monthly courses of amodiaquine plus sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine to all children under 5 years of age during the high transmission season.

 This article has been written in loving memory of the most jolly and generous woman I ever knew, We shall miss you but I will MISS YOU EBIFA, please Rest in Peace.

 I know that you lived a great life, you traveled to the most beautiful places, threw parties every weekend, you built beautiful mansions and filled with love by adopting those poor teenagers, God blessed your business to the point of unbelievable, you having ksh800,000million on just one of your accounts but was still so down to earth. All I can say that you lived a great life, a life most people just dream about. Rest in Peace Ebifa Mukoda.