By Paula Murira | Communications Officer
A story by CORP Mercy
(*Names have been changed for privacy.)
As a Community Own Resource Person (CORP) working with CHAT, I’ve had the opportunity to meet many women in my community. Still, one story that has stayed with me is that of Mary* and her family in Kandebene.
Mary is a 29-year-old farmer, raising three young children with her husband, David*, who works at a flower farm on the slopes of Mt. Kenya. When I met her during one of my door-to-door visits, she was already using the Depo Provera injection—a three-month injectable pregnancy protection family planning method. She told me she had started using it after learning about family planning from friends. But while it worked at first, she often struggled to make the regular clinic visits, and the cost became a burden. She shared her fears of falling pregnant again before she was ready.
I sat with her that afternoon and explained the different family planning options available, especially the long-term ones. We talked about how the five-year contraceptive implant could give her peace of mind and more time to care for her family. After asking a few questions and thinking it over, Mary made her decision: she wanted the implant.
A few days later, I accompanied her to receive the service.
“I don’t want more children,” she told me. “And with the implant, I feel secure and relieved. It gives me time to focus on raising my children well.”
What touched me most was the support she received from her husband. Together with the help of relatives, they are committed to ensuring their children attend school and have a better future. Mary’s face lit up when she spoke of her dreams—of her children growing up to be educated, responsible, and caring individuals.
“For us, family planning helps us live peacefully,” she said. “Each of my children gets the attention they need, and I feel more in control of my life.”
Her words reminded me why I do this work. It’s an honour to walk alongside women like Mary and share information and choices that empower them. I’m grateful to CHAT for equipping us CORPs to reach communities that would otherwise go without knowledge of FP or access to the services. And I’m proud to see the difference we’re making—one family at a time.
"Family planning isn’t just about people—it’s about preserving the planet for future generations." – David Attenborough.
Thanks to the generous support of GG, CHAT successfully shared
By Paula Murira | Communications Officer
By Paula Murira | Communications Officer
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