Reach a mother in Kenya with 3 prenatal visits

In Kenya, Riders' mobilizes Vumilia, a women’s group based in the Kabras district of Western Kenya working to overcome HIV/AIDS in their community through the psychological, social and economic empowerment of women.  They provide voluntary counseling and testing facilities, medical referrals, surgeries, home-based care, a feeding program for orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs), and a youth program.

Vumilia is raising awareness of AIDS in the community and play an integral part in sharing information to prevent mother to child transmission (PMTCT), a strong intervention for maternal health.  Exemplifying this is the story below as told by Beatrice Sajita, one of the Vumilia carers. She explains,  "I have a patient by the name Jane Alphonse.  She lives in Cheroso area which is about 20 kms from Vumilia.  She had not known her status then. The first time I visited Jane at her home,  She had  a severe skin disease. Rashes were all over her body and she was  so itchy.  She scratched herself almost continuously as we spoke.  I inquired from her if she had consulted a doctor.  Jane had suffered the condition silently for over six months  and was even avoiding people to avoid gossip by neighbors but still she neither had courage, money  nor knowledge to seek medication.  I counselled her and encouraged her to seek for medical care.  I told her that when we take her to hospital she may have to attend VCT before anything else.

She was so worried that with the  rashes all over her body and being seen at the VCT clinic people may start saying that she is HIV/AIDS positive. After several follow ups and counselling,  Jane got courageous enough to be tested.  She was positive and expectant too.  She then was referred to Malava District hospital  and put on ARVs. I did follow ups on her for ARV adherence and baby prophylaxis.

Jane delivered a baby boy. The baby boy is now two years old and HIV negative. She still is on ARVs and operating a grocery shop [ at West Kenya [ 5km] from Vumilia, Kakamega.  She is very healthy and ok."