A few weeks ago the stories of two women from St Mary’s Village mesmerized people in Kenya. On our screens and during the News, in different channels, their faces manifested an incredible feeling to the viewers as they showed strength despite carrying pain and suffering for so many years.
All started when a young volunteer lady visited St Mary’s Village some weeks back. After a day shared with the occupants of this elderly home, she took the initiative to report to Inooro Radio Station, which is part of Royal Media Group. A quick arrangement was done and within a short time there they were. They came with St John ambulance to help two women enduring some complications.
This was how the two elderly women, Margaret Wairimu and Jacinta Njeri, were taken to Kenyatta National Hospital for a test of fistula. The result revealed no fistula but some other deceases that old age imparts. While all this was taking place, journalists found space of interviewing them. The two told about their stories. No one could remain unmoved by what they have been going through for so many years.
Margaret Wairimu, 53 years old, told how her brain was damaged when she developed sickness, which later crippled her. She was just in form one, in 1978. She was taken to Kenyatta National Hospital, where she spent five years. She had lost sense and she could not speak or move. After some sign of healing, she was brought to St Mary’s Village.
Jacinta Njeri, however, told her story with tears in her eyes. She said that the symptoms of her sickness appeared when she delivered her first child, who, unfortunately, did not live long. She underwent an operation that left her paralyzed. In such condition, her husband and family abandoned her. She was then taken to St Mary’s Village. “I am happy to be well taken care of here”, she says. Such feeling is common among most women living here at St Mary’s Village.
After the test of fistula the two women were taken back to St Mary’s Village to continue with their daily life. It is unfortunate that despite this event this place is still unknown to many people. In fact, those who visited Margaret and Jacinta have realized that there are 41 women who are housed here. Each of them has her own story to tell, a sad one. Most of them suffer from mental ailments, depression and few have physical challenges. They live with any available help people bring to them. Their need is enormous as to maintain them in their old age. Despite all these, they are happy to see visitors coming to their place. This keeps them smiling, making them feel loved, and really joyous to have found a home to live in.
