The Military Wives Association of Kenya (MWAK) has wrapped up a week-long mentorship and maternal health outreach program in five military units in Eldoret Nakuru and Gilgil regions.
The activities began with a mentorship program at the Recruits Training School (RTS) in Eldoret on Monday 18 October 2021. Over 4300 recruits were mentored on various topics among them financial management, career progression, relationship and marriage, physical health and stress management. Speaking after the mentorship program, recruits Samuel Sifa and Doreen Mramba expressed their pleasure noting that the lessons will impact them positively.
MWAK Chair, Mrs Tabitha Kibochi affirmed the commitment of the association to all KDF personnel and their families, including the retired to live a holistic life through health, education, housing, mentorship, recreation and veteran affair.
MWAK team then proceeded to the 9 Kenya Rifles Moi Barracks on Tuesday 19 October 2021, where Mrs Kibochi opened a refurbished maternity extension wing for safe delivery. The team further conducted a maternal health campaign in collaboration with the Compensation and Welfare Department and the Medical Corps from the Defence Headquarters to advising women on precautions and guidelines required before and during pregnancy as well as childbirth.
The maternal outreach campaign comprised of; assessment of children living with disabilities, ante-natal and postnatal care, blood pressure and sugar screening, Body Mass Index (BMI), proper nutrition, safe ways of handling pregnancy and Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT).
Under the theme Afya njema ustawi wetu.
Franciscah Najipu, a spinal bifida champion urged pregnant women to start taking folic acid tablets within the first three weeks of their pregnancies and attend pre-natal clinics. She said that she suffered the condition because her mother lacked information on the importance of the essential tablets during pregnancy. Majority of cases of children living with disabilities like spinal bifida and cerebral palsy can be minimized if pregnant women visit medical centers immediately they notice they are pregnant.
“No mother desires to have a disabled child. The challenges and victimization of the children with disabilities faced in the society is huge. Some of the challenges are preventable if early precautions are taken,” said Mrs Najipu.
On Thursday 21 October 2021 the team then proceeded to Kenyatta Barracks, Gilgil where there were over 300 participants.
Esther Kimani, a child birth educator urged women to observe a balanced diet and regular body exercises during pregnancy saying that it helps in preparation of safe delivery to both mother and child. The elated participants thanked MWAK and KDF for choosing to take the noble campaign close to them.
On Friday 22 October 2021, MWAK continued with the maternal outreach campaign to over 200 participants at the 3 Kenya Rifles in Lanet Nakuru.
The team also visited the KDF Food Processing Factory to familiarize themselves with the operations as well as the upcoming construction of two classrooms at Kenyatta Barracks Primary School. The MWAK team requested one more classroom to be dedicated for disabled children.
On Saturday 23 October 2021 the mentorship program was extended to over 600 cadets at the Kenya Military Academy (KMA), where the cadets prepared for post trauning life encouraginh them to pursue their dreams and focus for their space in the various fields of their capabilities.
Speaking during the program, the Commandant KMA Major General Fatuma Ahmed thanked MWAK leadership for choosing to take the mentorship program to the cadets saying it shall go along way in shaping their future. She added that its not only useful to the cadets but also to the officers and instructors present.
MWAK has so far taken the outreach to Nairobi, Eldoret and Nakuru regions and are set to tour coast on 26 – 28 October 2021 as well a Laikipia and Nanyuki regions.
