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
Welcoming public health message at Kigali Airport
. Off to do home visits via moto
Reinforcing family planning teaching
Peanut gallery
Countryside panorama
Along the road
Community children
Women and girls carrying the loads
Walking to the bottom of the valley to Davina's house
Annonciata in action
Davina telling her story to Danielle and Annonciata
Davina (age 20)with her sister
Kevina (age 2) and son Brit (age 1+)
'
.Kids following us back up the track
Working with Annonciata is an honour
Heading home
