The hospital is so far away ...
Kenya: This clinic saves children and families in rural areas
When the nearest hospital is far away, an emergency can quickly become life-threatening, especially for children. The poor, rural district of Tharaka Nithi in Kenya struggles with this problem. Fortunately, there are dedicated community health workers in the villages, whom HELPING HANDS equips and trains in this area. For more serious cases, there is our life-saving rural clinic.
The story of little Maya (name changed for protection) shows how valuable this form of aid is. When the health worker was called by Maya's mother, she immediately saw Maya's dangerous condition and brought the little girl to our "Clinic of Hope."
A dire diagnosis
The clinic team also confirmed that bringing Maya here was the only right decision. The diagnosis: Maya was so malnourished that dangerous germs were able to take hold. Her body had tried to get rid of the germs through diarrhea. This made the already thin girl even thinner and dangerously dehydrated. So much so that she fell into so-called hypovolemic shock: the little fluid left in her body was no longer enough to maintain blood flow.
How the clinic team saved Maya
When attempting to administer intravenous fluids to Maya, it turned out that her veins had collapsed. Under enormous time pressure, the team established intraosseous access—a difficult emergency measure. But then it was done. Maya was saved. Now she could slowly recover. The clinic team ensured that Maya was nursed back to health and can now live at home again under the watchful eyes of the health worker.
Our medical aid network in Tharaka Nithi, Kenya
Our community health workers are on the ground in the villages. They know their communities well and are the points of contact for families. They handle simple matters themselves. In more serious cases, they refer patients to our "Clinic of Hope." Although this is not a fully equipped hospital, the team is highly qualified and works with great heart for the people of their region.
Why the clinic is so important
Maya would not have survived the long journey to the next town. Our rural clinic was her salvation. We support the "Clinic of Hope" as much as we can, because no child should come here in vain. Nevertheless, the clinic mostly operates with scarce resources and is always at the limit of its strength.
Will you help ensure the clinic always has everything necessary to take in emergencies like Maya?
HELP AND DONATE NOW!
In rural Kenya, our clinic makes a critical difference! Will you help provide children in emergencies with everything they need?
15 EUROS
help to have basics like plasters, bandages, and IV fluids ready.
30 EUROS
help to keep sterile surgical instruments and medical products like cannulas and syringes ready when a large or small emergency patient arrives.
FURTHER projects
