Due to rapid population growth in Kenya, women and children face many challenges. Among these challenges are access to good health facilities and proper nutrition. This is mainly brought about by extreme poverty and ignorance.

Macheo Children’s Centre through her mother to child program aims at giving information especially to young mothers on; the needs of their babies before and after birth, malnutrition and other health related problems.

Agnes Kasungwa is one of the beneficiaries of Macheo mother to child program. Agnes, 38 years old and a mother of 6 children, lives in Kiandutu slum – Thika. Macheo field workers met Agnes in November last year; she was about 5 months pregnant and mourning the death of her husband who had passed way in the previous month. Being the sole bread winner, the burden of providing basic needs for the children in her condition was a big challenge. Agnes had not even once, visited a health centre for checkup since she could not afford it; this stressed her much.

After evaluation of Agnes situation; Macheo, immediately engaged a counselor to give her psychosocial support. After several sessions with the counselor, Agnes improved gradually. Macheo also supported her to register for antenatal care in Kiandutu health centre. Agnes also benefited from information she got through seminars organized by Macheo mother to child program.

In April this year, Agnes had a safe delivery in Kiandutu health centre. Unfortunately, baby Angeline had a problem known as spina bifida (split spine); a complication that cannot be handled in the health centre. Baby Angeline was referred to a referral hospital where she could get suitable services. She was operated successfully, though the medical bill amounted to Kes 48,325; which was too high for Agnes to pay. Macheo social worker negotiated for the reduction of the bill. We are happy with the hospital since it agreed to reduce the bill to Kes 10,000 which Macheo paid.

Macheo also assisted Agnes to register for National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), she will continue paying and it will cover the whole family. Baby Angeline is doing fine, the doctors are optimistic that she will get well soon. She will continue attending clinic until she heals.

Macheo will also provide Agnes with a seed capital through Mache Family Empowerment Program to start a small business. With this we believe that Agnes will manage to provide her children with the basic needs.

We are happy with the progress of baby Angeline; we wish her all the best!

On 5th May 2013, Macheo children visited Peponi School for a sport event, art work and fun. The children from Macheo Children’s Home eagerly waited for the big bus (Basi Kubwa) to take them to Peponi School. On arrival, they received a warm welcome and later enjoyed various sports event and other activities. Songs and dance in the bus, painting, bead work and other sports polished the great event…

Op zaterdagmiddag 18 mei komt oprichter en general manager van Macheo, Marnix Huis in ’t Veld, vertellen over de situatie en ontwikkelingen van Macheo in Kenia.

Tijdens deze informatieve bijeenkomst en borrel in de Badcuyp in Amsterdam kan je al je vragen stellen over de verschillende programma’s van Macheo. Tussen 16.00 en 18.00 ben je van harte welkom. Je kan hier een routebeschrijving samenstellen.

We horen graag of je hierbij aanwezig wilt zijn via michiel@macheo.nl of via het onderstaande formulier.

Tot de 18de!

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A woman bears a huge burden in bringing up children and in particular when the husband is not responsibly enough or totally absent.

This year mother’s day; Macheo would like to celebrate Christine Muthoni from Kiandutu slum in Thika. Macheo met Christine in the year 2008 in Kiandutu. Christine lived with her 4 children and a injured husband; she could not properly feed her family. “We survived with one meal in a day since I depended on scarce casual labour” she says.

Macheo supported Christine to start a small business of selling vegetables and fruits. This was a turnaround for her and the family. Christine family gradually improved on nutrition, her children’s health got better and she also managed to take them to school. Christine told us that the success of her small business came from the information she got through seminars, organised by Macheo Family Empowerment Program.

Christine, now 45 years old; is happy as she reflect back the journey she has walked together with Macheo. Today, three of her children are grown ups and depend on themselves; the last born is in form 2 in a secondary school.

Beside bringing up her own children and taking care of her old husband; Christine also takes care of 6 needy children, a teenage girl and a paralysed man. She lives with them in her house, provides them with the basic needs and takes the children to school.

One of these children is Emma; she was found borne and thrown in a ditch in Kiandutu slum. Christine took Emma from day one and started taking care of her. Emma is now 6 years old, healthy and in school. “I was inspired by the work that Macheo does and that is why I support these needy children” said Christine.

Christine is really a mother not only to her own children but also to those who depend on her. We salute Christine and wish her good luck in her endeavours.