Saving Kenya's Environment Through Family Planning

Nunu (CHAT nurse) had reported that there is still enormous demand for family planning services, especially for the longer term contraception methods in Isiolo town (a town predominantly with a considerable Muslim community). During her monthly offs, her boss at CHAT had suggested to her that this would be an opportunity to help her community and was extended five more days so as to be able to offer the much requested FP services in her home town.. However, Pauline noticed that many of these people were still stigmatized due to their faith and hence, Pauline visited a group of young Muslim women and explained how CHAT goes around providing information and health services to marginalized communities in the Northern Kenya and felt that it was also upon her, to assist them as part of the community she comes from.

“I have little opportunity to ‘rest’ when taking my “offs’ these days, because most Muslim women now have FP information and the demand for the services is rather overwhelming!” Nunu explained She further confirmed that most women are choosing the longer-term methods of family planning.

One of Nunu’s clients, Jasmin a 24 year old single mother of 4, was amongst the women Nunu met in a group and who had heard about the different family planning contraception methods that were being offered by CHAT’s nurse (Nunu), – so she came to visit the nurse from her village in Kambi Gabra, a suburb the other side of Isiolo.

“Being a Muslim, my faith does not allow women to use any scientific method of family planning method, as the Koran teaches us that every child comes with blessings and luck held in its hands,” Jasmin explained. She further confirmed that she had been hearing on the radio about family planning, but whenever she requested her mother (a strict Muslim) to take her to the nearest clinic to enquire more about Family Planning, her mother would refuse and even send her from home, so that is how she ended up having the eleven children who are now a burden to her.

“When the night falls, kindly come to my friend’s house so that I can get the best method that will suit me,” Jasmin whispered a request to nurse Nunu (CHAT’s nurse). Nunu on that same day visited the friend’s house and the lady (Jasmin) was there waiting - after several tests were done, she chose the 5 year Implant as her preferred contraception protection method of choice. From there, henceforth, Jasmin became a family planning mobilizer and has been assisting her fellow Muslim women to access FP services.

“I am a ‘champion of change’ to the young girls and ladies from my community! Thanks to CHAT, now I feel empowered and know my rights as a woman, I just wish I could have had access to FP years ago” Jasmin said with a broad smile on her face.

This Jan. & Feb. 2016 – thanks to your donations - which contributed to helping CHAT reach the following: 15,025 individuals in Samburu, Laikipia, Meru and Kitui counties with various services of which a total of
4,652 women chose the longer term 3 – 5 yrs. contraception protection FP implant methods
1,344 chose the injectable method Depo-Provera offers 3 month protection and
532 chose ‘the pill’ as their preferred method of FP choice.

“Empowering a woman in poverty has to begin with access to contraception protection against unwanted pregnancies”
(A quote from Guttmacher research institute, research paper 2014 series no. 2)