Stories from the Field: Life-Changing Moments at MPESA Foundation Health Camps

During my time as a medical officer at Zuri Health, overseeing the camps, I was fortunate enough to meet and help many individuals whose stories deeply impacted me. While I won’t be able to share every experience, I’d like to highlight a few that truly stood out. These moments remind me of the incredible difference we can make when we combine expertise, compassion, and a strong support system.

Winnie: A Lifeline in a Crisis

My first camp with Zuri Health was at Rongai, and it remains one of the most memorable experiences of my career. It was a particularly hectic camp, but I was called aside by one of our county clinicians to assess a patient named Winnie. She was a small-built woman, soft-spoken, and clearly pregnant—though I initially believed she was in her third trimester.

I was quickly informed that she had been leaking amniotic fluid for several weeks, waiting for the camp to arrive. She couldn't access medical care due to distance and financial constraints. To make matters more urgent, the camp had been postponed for two weeks. My heart sank when I learned about the situation, but we acted fast.

I brought her into an examination tent, took a quick history, and performed an assessment. The danger signs were clear, and I escalated the situation immediately. The fetal parts were easily felt. I feared a lot, Sepsis being top on my list and my biggest fear of all, the baby's well being. Thanks to the swift action of our team, we searched for a referral facility in her environs that would love to take in this young mother and her child, which was no easy feat, but we managed to transfer her to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) for further management. She was induced and delivered a beautiful, albeit premature, baby girl who was healthy and strong.

The next morning, I received a call from Winnie. With tears of gratitude, she told me that her daughter was doing well. To this day, she still reaches out to update me on her daughter’s progress. Her child is now six months old, and every time I hear from her, I’m reminded of the profound impact we made on that day—saving both mother and child when all seemed lost.

Viv: A Shy Teenager with a Life-Changing Diagnosis

The Lang’ata cancer camp, our first cancer-centered initiative, also introduced me to incredible individuals whose resilience left a lasting impression. Viv is a 16-year-old girl who came to the camp with an obvious neck mass. She was extremely shy, and it wasn’t clear whether her hesitation came from the stigma of her condition or simply from her personality. Her brother, who accompanied her, shared that they had traveled all the way from Narok, hoping to find help when they heard from the cancer camp. They travelled all the way to Langata hoping to receive help.

During her consultation with the oncologist, Viv was examined, reassured and referred for further tests. After the camp, however, I received a call from her brother just a week later. Viv was not doing so well. I urged him to take her to Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral, and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) immediately. There, she was admitted, stabilized, and all necessary tests were conducted. Her treatment was quickly initiated, and she showed signs of improvement. As Zuri Health, knowing the financial impact this would carry on her and her family, we were then happy to assist with the hospital bills to allow this young girl a second chance at life.

A week later, I received another call—this time, it was Viv’s brother calling to express their deep gratitude. They were thankful for the camp, Zuri Health, and Mpesa Foundation, which had made it possible for them to receive life-saving treatment. He spoke about how many people in rural areas like theirs would never have had access to such care without the camps, and he was especially grateful that Viv had a second chance at life.

Dan: A Resilient Cancer Warrior

Dan’s story is another that continues to inspire me. A cancer survivor, Dan had already beaten the disease once but was now facing a recurrence. He arrived at the camp with a look of determination but also a hint of worry—he had exhausted all his funds and was unsure how to proceed.

We examined him and offered him a listening ear and were able to enroll him into the KUTRRH treatment program, where he received the necessary work-ups and was placed on a new treatment plan. Despite his financial strain and the emotional weight of facing cancer a second time, Dan’s resilience shone through. His determination to fight again, coupled with the care and support he received from our team and KUTRRH, gives me hope for his journey ahead.

We continue to keep him in our thoughts and prayers, and we are grateful that Zuri Health and the Mpesa Foundation were able to provide him with the support he so desperately needed during such a difficult time. He currently is continuing with his chemotherapy sessions and frequent follow-up with us and we continue to financially assist him with the hospital bill to allow a strong warrior to focus on fighting and beating this again.

Kris: A Lifeline in Uasin Gishu: Compassion in Action

Though I wasn’t able to attend the Uasin Gishu camp in person due to unforeseen circumstances, a call I received that morning made me realize how interconnected we all are in this mission. A woman in her second pregnancy, post-dates, was in severe pain and unable to make it to the camp or afford hospital care. I was able to get in touch with our camp personnel who acted quickly to bring her to the camp site, where we reviewed her situation. She had a previous cesarean section scar, which increased the risk of complications and to worsen the situation, she noted the abdominal pain was mainly around the area of the scar. We rushed her to the nearest hospital.

Within the week, she underwent multiple tests to ensure the maturity of the fetus and she went under the knife once more to bring forth a beautiful baby girl. Later that day, I received a phone call from her. She was in tears, laughing and crying at the same time, as she thanked me for not forgetting about her. Her words of gratitude left me speechless and reminded me of why we do this work—because sometimes, even the smallest action can change a life.

A Son’s Dedication and Belief

At the camp in Nakuru, a young man came up to us requesting assistance with his mother who was at home and couldn’t attend the camp but was in dire need. We took the ambulance to go meet her and discovered she had broken her hip and couldn’t work and was in a terrible condition. We brought her back to the camp, quickly assessed by the physiotherapist on ground and was referred to the hospital.

It was reported that she had previously been to the hospital but could not afford the medical bills and she was discharged and sent home until she could pay. The MPESA Foundation supported her hip surgery and hospital stay throughout recovery until discharge. Her son expressed his sincere gratitude for the unwavering support shown to his mother. Proving again his dedication to his mother saved her.

Conclusion: The Power of Compassionate Care

These stories are just a few among many that highlight the life-changing work we are able to do through Zuri Health and the Mpesa Foundation. Each of these patients entered our care at a time of crisis, but thanks to the dedication of the entire team, we were able to provide not just medical intervention but also hope, compassion, and support.

Every person we meet on this journey has a unique story, but one thing remains constant: the power of accessible healthcare, timely intervention, and a compassionate touch can save lives. We are forever grateful for the opportunity to continue serving communities in need, and we remain committed to making a difference, one patient at a time.