Maji Mazuri children centre is established in Kasarani a suburb of Nairobi. The centre hosts children who are either mentally/physically challenged and HIV positive orphans. The organization’s mission is to prepare, empower and rehabilitate the children for a better, more fulfilling future. The word “Maji Mazuri” may mean differently for many. To some it may simply mean clean water but for many it means hope and inspiration. This can be seen in the bright faces of the children in the centre which can further be confirmed in their inspiring life stories. Being in Maji Mazuri has changed their life for the better as they can now proudly proof that disability is not inability. For instance John Kavue is one of the happiest boy in the centre whose life has completely changed by being in Maji Mazuri.
John Kavue is a 5th born in a family of six siblings. He was born without any disability. After 2 years his mother realized that he was growing a lab. She took him to Nyeri district hospital where he was put on therapy session for one year. Due to financial constraints he stopped attending the therapy sessions.
In the year 2008 he was admitted in kasarani children centre where during the pre-admission medical assessment he was diagnosed with:
• Reduced muscle bulk and muscle strength.
• Spasticity of lower limbs more evident and is lesser on the upper limps.
• Jiggers’ infestation on both legs and fingers of both upper limbs are mildly affected.
• Normal spinal alignment and has a slight postural curve on a sitting position.
• Stiffness on both ankle joints.
• Sitting in a w-position.
Immediately after admission in the centre he was put on therapy sessions. The therapists focused first on training him in coordinating, placing of feet, standing position and introduced him to toileting skills. Through regular exercises he seemed to respond well and within a period of 4 moths the boy was able to stand with a walking aid and move around freely. He was also able to do toileting well with minimal help.
After this achievement the therapists now focused on training him on hand control of the upper extremities, how to walk without the walking aid but with the help of still bars like grills. The response was very nice as after one month he was able to walk quickly using still bars and also feed himself properly something which he couldn’t when he was admitted in the centre.
Right now he can walk freely around the centre premises by the grills, walk up stairs, feed himself properly, do toileting well, play with the other children freely and also communicate clearly to others. All this has been achieved through the cooperation, hard work and dedication of the entire Maji Mazuri centre fraternity.
BRAVO MAJI MAZURI for giving light and hope in the lives of the disadvantaged.
