helen weld public health

Turi Kumwe Home Visits

Two weeks ago I had the honor accompanying Annonciata (GHI training supervisor) and Danielle (Princeton-in-Africa Communications Fellow) on two home visits in rather remote areas beyond Bumbago. The phrase, “Turi Kumwe” meaning “we are together/we are united ”, is part of the Gardens for Health lexicon and is manifested by a special fund (as well as in other ways) which is supported by staff, fellows and volunteers. Each month people donate a voluntary amount to the Turi Kumwe fund that is targeted to assist staff, families in the GHI program or other community members in need. Through reports from field educators, Annonciata had identified two families in the program who might need extra assistance with extra vulnerabilities.

The first family we went to visit, the mother was not present, since she was off working in the field. Her husband and two children were at home in their very simple abode with a large President Paul Kagame poster adorning the wall. Due to the fact that his wife had been absent at recent health trainings was a red flag for Annonciata to investigate. During the visit, we encouraged the father to attend the trainings in lieu of his wife in the event of her absence to ensure the dissemination of the weekly training messages and materials. Since she had missed the Family Planning training, the information was reinforced to him. Vasectomies are free in Rwanda, but unfortunately this is a very hard sell to men. How wonderful it would be to have more public health messages about this topic broadcast to dispel misconceptions. (There has been public health progress with an enormous HIV education billboard, Kinyarwanda one side and English the other, at the airport since my last visit a year ago to Rwanda.) Why he wasn’t the one out working is another topic.

A complex and heart wrenching story was revealed at our next visit to Davine, age 20, who is enrolled in the program with a 2 year old sister named Kevina. Observing Annonciata’s communication skills as she elicited information from Davine in a highly compassionate, sensitive and professional manner was inspiring. Davine also has her own child who is just a few months younger than Kevina. Their mother died in Kevina’s infancy when Davina was pregnant resulting in Davina having to drop out during her first year of high school. To support the family she and her older brother (they all have different fathers) had to sell their livestock. Kevina’s father refuses to provide support and her brother has a hard time finding work near home. Needless to say, caring for two small toddlers is very daunting for this young woman. For starters, the Turi Kumwe fund will be able to obtain Mutuelle d’ Sante (health insurance for 3000RWF/~$4 USD) per person/year for Davina and the children, as well as get supplemental milk and other provisions. Davina was very grateful for Annonciata’s concern and willingness to activate some extra help.

Being in the presence of people with such resilience is always very humbling and certainly makes one pause with gratitude. It is also reassuring that Annonciata will be able to follow up.

Helen