A family in Katelenyang village in Teso North Subcounty in Busia is appealing to Kenyans to help their three children suffering from sickle cell anaemia get specialised treatment to enable them to continue with their studies.
Emily Chebet, a devoted mother of three children diagnosed with sickle cell anaemia, has issued a heartfelt plea to well-wishers to assist her in buying drugs and getting blood transfusions urgently to save the lives of her kids.
“When God blessed me with my first-born son 11 years ago, I had a lot of hope in him. As a family, we knew he would be a normal child; this has never been the case since, after six months, he was diagnosed with sickle cell,” she narrated.
Chebet, a mama mboga at Angurai Market, has seen her business collapse after channelling all capital, family land, and other resources towards her children’s medication, which turned out to be a drop in the ocean.
“All my three children take two tablets each day, with a single tablet costing Sh200. On a single day, I need Sh1200, which is beyond my means,” Chebet added.
According to the family, regular blood transfusions and monthly admissions in various hospitals in both Kenya and Uganda have completely drained all resources in the family, pushing the family to live hand-to-mouth and face rejection as a result of begging from neighbours.
With the ongoing doctor strike, the three haven’t had any drugs or medication for a month now, leaving them at the mercy of God.
Her sentiments were echoed by neighbours led by Denis Parapara Karani, who have also given their best to support the family, with the only hope being an appeal to all Kenyans to support the family foot medical bills and drugs.
“Based on the family’s status, I want to ask all Kenyans to set aside even a shilling and support the medical bills of these three children,” Parapara said.
The family can be reached through the KNA office in Teso North at Amagoro or through the area chief.
By Absalom Namwalo
