MARIAMU {MAMA AISHA’S STORY}

“Mariamu is a 35-year-old woman and a mother of three children. Her children are 10, 6, and 2 years old. Her life changed completely when she was pregnant with her youngest child, Aisha. Her father died many years ago leaving her mother with six children to care for. Her siblings are in the village but also struggling with their lives which means they can not offer Mariamu any support.

When Mariamu was about to give birth to her third child, she went to the hospital with her husband. The doctors told them she had complications and would need a C-section. The medical bills were very high, and her husband became angry and cold. When they returned home, he shocked her by saying the pregnancy was not his responsibility and that the baby was not his. He refused to pay the hospital bills and told her he would not support her.

Even with no money and no support, Mariamu had no choice but to go back to the hospital when her time came. She went alone, hoping the hospital social workers would help her with the medical bills. Her husband did not visit her even once after she gave birth. It was only when neighbors and the area leader went to their home and forced him to go to the hospital to visit his wife and child and be responsible for them

Mariamu gave birth through surgery, but little Aisha was born very weak. She did not cry at birth and had jaundice, which meant they had to stay in the hospital for a long time. This made the medical bills grow even higher, and it made her husband even more angry. He began sleeping in a separate room, locked with his own keys, and did not want to see Mariam or the baby. After a short time of providing some support, he completely stopped.

Soon after, he took some household items and left. He went and married another woman and told Mariamu clearly that he wanted nothing to do with her or the children. He told her not to bother him again.

Mariamu was left alone in a rented house with a very sick baby. She could not go to work because Aisha was constantly in and out of the hospital. Sometimes neighbors would give her food because she had nothing to feed herself or the baby. When she failed to pay rent, the landlord chased her away and took her furniture to recover the rent money.

Kind neighbors collected a small amount of money and helped her rent a tiny, cheap room just so she would have a roof over her head. But even then, finding food was still a daily struggle. Mariam lost all hope in life.

Doctors told her that Aisha’s severe growth delay might be caused by malnutrition, while others said the baby had holes in her heart. Today, Aisha is 2 years old, but she looks like a five-month-old baby. She is very small and weak.

Through the area chairperson, Mariam was referred to Neema Village. A letter was written asking for help. When we went to see her, what we found was heartbreaking. Mariam lives in a tiny room with almost nothing inside. She managed to find an old couch cushion where Aisha sleeps. Mariam herself sleeps on a piece of cloth on the cold floor. There is no bed, no mattress, no comfort just trying to survive.

After everything Mariam has gone through, the abandonment, humiliation, fear, and loss she is deeply emotionally wounded. Before she can be strong enough to start her business through the MAP Program, she needs counseling to help her heal, rebuild her confidence, and feel human again.

We are also thinking of moving Mariam closer to Neema Village so she can attend regular counselling sessions, sewing classes and other programs that are offered here at Neema for the MAP Mamas. Where she is living now is very unsafe, especially at night, and the road is very bad. In case of an emergency, it is almost impossible for help to reach her. Being closer to Neema would also make it easier to support her and monitor Aisha’s condition.

Right now, Mariam’s biggest and most urgent need is medical support for Aisha. The hospital visits, tests, and treatments are very expensive for her to  afford. Without help, her baby’s life is at risk. ”  Written by Heavenlight Counselor at Neema Village.

Very few women can lift themselves from such poverty.  When you lift a woman like Mariamu you not only change her world you change the world for all of us.