As a teenager, Ephantus Muhunyo witnessed a financial crunch in their family but there was nothing much he could do. Having been diagnosed with chronic kidney failure, Muhunyo’s mother had to go through a costly medical procedure that prompted the then 15-year-old Muhunyo to take action. What later emerged was Happy Kidney Foundation, an organization he founded in 2009.
I wanted to do something that would contribute finances to the medical fund. I wanted to let Kenyans gain awareness about kidney failure and hopefully inspire change.
When he was only 15, his mother, Josephine Wairimu Maina was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and consequently had to be put on dialysis as she underwent numerous medical procedures. This became the family’s routine and within the first few months the family had exhausted finances and started to seek assistance from friends together with the extended family through Harambees.
Upon completing his secondary education, Muhunyo went home and noticed that things were very thick for his dad and elder siblings. He resolved to take action and make a contribution towards the difficult situation.
He told People Plus: “It had been three years of financial strain and pain for my mum. I wanted to do something that would contribute finances to the medical fund. I wanted to let Kenyans gain awareness about kidney failure and hopefully inspire change.” And when he was 17, alongside other 10 friends, they walked 120 kilometers to provide moral support to his ailing mother.
Following this walk, he got to interact with many other families and there he realized there were many people out there who did not have a voice like he did for his mum. “This birthed a dream in my heart and passion was stirred up to continue walking not just for my mum but for many others out there and also to educate the youth so that they can take charge of their health from an early age,” he said.
But Muhunyo’s mother would later succumb to the ailment in 2009. “When my mum died, I purposed to honor her long suffering spirit and the struggle that my family went through for five years by establishing the foundation. I wanted to see a society that is free from kidney disease.”Following this pledge other Kenyans joined him to establish HAKI few months later after her demise.
Today, the foundation thrives on volunteerism in form of time, skills, and professional expertise. Maximizing on the human resource. The organisation creates awareness, offers training and support related to kidney and other chronic diseases to the youth and the poor and their families who have little access to medical information and services.
Despite the fact that he was the last born in his family of nine, Muhunyo vowed to address the disease that killed their mother. He had learnt to be independent minded from an early age so it was easier for him to remain steadfast with his vision.
Over 5,000 people have so far been reached directly through community outreaches, medical camps and wellness fora. “Indirectly we’ve reached over 500,000 people through radio, TV and social media. These people have benefited from free medical screenings that encourage regular medical check ups.
Muhunyo is also the chairperson, East Africa Youth in Philanthropy Network.
On this Valentines Day, HAKI Foundation will host kidney disease patients, kidney donors, kidney recipients together with their families and other caregivers as they celebrate and share love.
http://liliankaivilu.com/mums-death-birthed-hope/
http://www.jambonewspot.com/kenyan-narrates-mums-death-birthed-hope/