Faith Makandi

 

“We normally listen Muuga fm all the time and most of the time we carry radio to the farm. One day I was just listening it while preparing my farm, I then I heard from radio about free cervical and breast cancer medical camp organized by Naledi Initiative. The announcement was made after every news time for three weeks and I could hear it while I am cooking or cleaning my utensils. It was as if they were talking to me. Then I marked the date they were announcing for screening. I went for cervical cancer screening but they told they will screen for my breast also. After examining my breast they told they can feel something in my breast and I should visit Meru Teaching and referral hospital for farther investigation. The sample was taken and it was discovered it was breast cancer stage 1. The first then I thought is who will take care of children because I am dying and how will I hide it from my friends. Then I was given a number by the doctor to contact one of the Naledi Initiative officer. He told me we meet in Meru town after I called him. I was so down and I feeling as if it was the end of my life. The first thing he asked me is if have taken any food, I told him I have only ksh 100 as fare to take me home. He took me to a restaurant and he order food for me. He shared his story of his mother and examples of cancer survivor who the cancer was found at stage 1. Hi counseling and his promise to walk with me this journey, did not only give me hope but also a strength to fight. They paid for form me social health insurance for two years and I started my treatment immediately. I went through mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and later we formed cancer support group that we meet once per month. This my 3 year now as cancer warrior”. Said Faith Makandi

Salome Makena

“ I am single mother of one child and my livelihood is basket weaving. It is very difficult to get buyers and sometime I do not sale and this is my means of income I have. I do not shop to sell my basket because I can not afford the rent. I heard story of Robert on how he lost mother through cervical cancer through an radio interview. I knew Robert through children’s orphanage where he was staying in Meru but I never knew how he lost his mother. I decided to visit him at children home to get more information because his story was very emotional and inspiring. His story on how he took care of his mother as an African boy was very admiring. As he was sharing, I found safe to share my regular abdominal pain and increase in my vaginal discharge. Immediately advice me to visit Meru teaching and referral and he connected me with a Naledi Initiative navigator reproductive nurse who work there. She took me through the process of cervical screening. I did not paid anything because she told me that Robert had called her and paid for all the services. I received a call after ones week to be given the worse news of my life. It was cervical cancer stage 1. It was so difficult to tell my only child, I was afraid because this disease is a death sentence. I knew want next is death, death, death because to me cancer is just death. I cried so much until my eye turned red. I had no courage to tell my daughter. I am grateful to God for therapy from Robert who visited our home and prepared my daughter before sharing with her bad news. I am doing my radiotherapy and my daughter who is in college is my caregiver, live long Naledi Initiative”. Said Salome Makena

Severina Kambura.

 
“I am single mother of 4 children and I sell vegetables on the road or wash clothes for neighbors to get something to feed my children. On may 2026, I heard in muuga fm about free cervical and breast cancer screening medical camp organized by Naledi Initiative at Kinyeyere primary school which is in our village. I have been having persistent abdominal pain and frequent need to urinate but I could not afford to go to hospital for check up due to lack of money. I woke very early in the morning on the day of medical camp and I found many people queuing but I did not give up, I took my service card at registration desk and I waited for my service number to be mentioned. I had a lot of abdominal pain on that day. They did my blood pressure, weight assessment and I was taken to the room with doctors. I explained her what I was feeling, then she examined me and she took some sample. She directed me to another classroom where I was given medicine then I was told that I will be called. I was call for the results after one week, which of Ovarian cancer stage 4. I saw darkness and I took almost 30 minutes crying. The doctor asked me whether I have registered to social health insurance, I told her no. She connected me Naledi Initiative who facilitated registration of social insurance and paid for one year. I have started my chemotherapy. Naledi Initiative was God sent to save my life, I do not if I could be a life today”. Said Severina Kambura

Phillis Kaguri Muriuki

“Since 2023 my breast has been have problem but I did not inform anyone because of stigma. I thought I was bewitched, so I went for prayers to different pastors but they were no changes. I was so scared when the wound started bleeding blood but I not know what to do because I had no money to go hospital. I depend on my husband who is casual labor which was not reliable. As I was listening Muuga fm, I heard them mentioning about free cancer screening medical camp organized by Naledi Initiative at Kinoru stadium, I remember it like yesterday, it was on Saturday. I woke 4:00 am without telling anyone. I found very friendly doctors who checked on my breast and they give me a referral form to go Meru teaching and referral hospital on Monday. They told me it was urgent and I should not miss Monday appointment. I told them I have no money to pay the hospital but they doctor insisted that I must go and I should not worry about the payment. I have no words to express how grateful I am to these doctors, they organized everything with Naledi Initiative and paid no money for appointment. Naledi Initiative paid my sample and staging cost, and paid my social health insurance for two years. It was discovered it was breast cancer stage 3. They removed my breast and then I was introduced for chemotherapy but I went to Nairobi for radiotherapy because we can not get it here in Meru. Thank you Naledi, you are my savior. I am doing well now and taking medicine and attending my clinic at Meru teaching and referral hospital. I aslo joined cancer support group and we meet at Nteere garden every first Saturday of month”. Said Phillis Kaguri Muriuki