After launching the Ndoto Zetu initiative, a programme that aims to empower communities positively in the country, Safaricom hasn’t gone back on its promises.
On Wednesday, September 29, 2020, two facilities within Kibra received medical equipment worth Ksh 500,000 and therapy machines worth Ksh 300,000.
St Mary’s hospital located in Karanja area of Kibra can now attend to patients seamlessly after receiving a suction machine, delivery and hospital beds, a microscope, an ultrasound machine and seats for the waiting area.
Before the donation, the facility that attends to almost 2,000 individuals faced many challenges.
Patients didn’t access adequate services whenever they came in for treatment or medical check-up.
The founder couldn’t hide her excitement after receiving the equipment.
“When I sent out the proposal, I didn’t expect that the organization would reach out and make the dreams of people in this area possible. Indeed when Safaricom says tuko pamoja, they don’t mince their words,” narrated teary Elizabeth.
Mary Rice Centre in Kibera
Mary Rice Centre in Kibera, on the other hand, received therapy machines worth Ksh 300,000. They include a customized wheelchair, a customized walker, and standing aid.
Since its inception, the centre has taken care of children from Kibera’s informal settlement. Currently, it has 80 children that live with different disabilities.
Before getting the therapy machines, the therapists at the centre did most of the therapies from mats.
Some of the skills that the children benefit from while at the centre include improving fine motor skills, differentiating colours, and learning how to grasp items.
“Before we got these machines, we faced many challenges because we had to carry out all therapies on mats with the children lying on their stomach. Henceforth, activities will become easier because we have all the necessary machines. I believe the children will manage to learn some of the basic skills seamlessly,” said Esther Ndung’u, an occupational therapist at Mary Rice Centre in Kibera.
