This is a strikingly similar story of two women, both from the Ngorongoro region in northern Tanzania, but living in different villages. They had never met before until they ended up in FAME's maternity ward. As you read their stories, you'll be amazed by the similar experiences these two women shared! 

Nangiki

Nangiki (foreground) and her mother-in-law (background) captured at FAME's Maternity Ward.

Nangiki* was 30 weeks into her pregnancy when she fell seriously ill. The illness began during the day, but by 1:00 a.m, it was clear that something was seriously wrong. In her distress, she called for her mother-in-law, who quickly came to her side. Realizing the severity of the situation, she summoned Nangiki's father-in-law. Together, they swiftly arranged to borrow a car from a neighbor to urgently transport Nangiki to FAME, which was more than a 4-hour drive away.

“I suddenly fell ill. At first, I didn’t want to mention anything because I’m staying with my in-laws while my husband works in Kenya. They’ve been incredibly kind to me and my children and I didn’t want to disturb them. However, when I went to bed and woke up a few hours later in intense pain, I knew something was wrong. I had already given birth to two children before this one and had never experienced this pain before.”

— Nangiki

When Nangiki reached FAME, it was evident to the medical team that she required an immediate C-section to ensure the safety and well-being of both her and her baby.

Nangiki’s daughter in an incubator at FAME's Special Care Nursery.

“When the doctors said I needed an operation, my in-laws asked for my decision. I had given birth to both my kids at home and wasn’t used to hospitals, so everything felt strange and scary. But the doctors made sure we understood the situation by having someone explain everything to us in our language, Maasai, since we don’t speak Swahili. After I understood what was happening, I said yes to the surgery.”

— Nangiki

Nangiki gave birth to a healthy baby girl weighing 2.4 lbs. Because her baby was born prematurely at 30 weeks, she was transferred to FAME's Special Care Nursery (SCN) and placed in an incubator.

“I was so happy when they told me I had a girl! I already have two boys, but they often spend time with their father or prefer to be with their uncles and male cousins. I’ve always dreamt of having a daughter to share stories with and my dream came true! However, I was very worried about her size, but the doctors told me that she would grow strong quickly. True to their word, she’s getting bigger every day and we’ll go home soon. I am grateful for the help and kindness my family and I have received at FAME.”

— Nangiki

shomo

Shomo poses outside FAME’s Maternity ward.

Twin 1 in an incubator at FAME's Special Care Nursery.

FAME's nurse, Nditoya Mollel, checks on Twin 2 in the incubator at FAME's Maternity Ward.

Similar to Nangiki, Shomo* was in her 30th week of pregnancy when she started experiencing lower abdominal pain. She was away from home as she had been accompanying the cattle in their search for pasture.

“I suddenly felt intense pain and asked one of the women to accompany me back home for some rest. However, the pain kept getting worse and after a few hours at home, I decided to go to the local clinic because I knew something was wrong. It was not my time to give birth, so I knew the baby wasn’t ready to be born. I’ve given birth to three children before, so I could tell this pain was different. While en route to the hospital, I began to feel that the baby was on its way and to my surprise, it turned out that the baby was indeed arriving right then, even though we were still on the road! In the chaos, after helping deliver the baby, one of the women shouted, ‘I can see another one’ and I thought she was confused due to the stressful situation. But as it turns out, I was carrying twins!”

— Shomo

Upon arriving at the local clinic, the doctor wasted no time directing them to FAME, saying, "Only FAME can save such small babies."

“When we arrived at FAME, my children and I were in critical condition. I was dizzy and in pain; my children were cold, very cold to the touch. I just knew there was little chance we would leave this hospital alive.”

— Shomo

Shomo had experienced significant blood loss by the time she reached FAME. Her newborn twins, born prematurely at 30 weeks, suffered from hypothermia. Time was of the essence. Fortunately, the FAME medical team is always well-prepared for emergencies and thanks to their quick intervention, Shomo and her children's lives were saved.

“It seems I fell into a deep sleep. When I woke up, they told me I had delivered twin daughters and believed they would be fine. I was very, very happy! I already have three boys at home and I have always wanted a girl and now, God has blessed me with two!”

— Shomo

Shomo had no idea she was carrying twins because she couldn't attend any prenatal classes due to the distance to the local clinic. Like Nangiki, she had given birth to her previous children at home without any issues, so she anticipated a similar experience for this pregnancy. She mentioned that the only thing that stood out as different was that her stomach felt "much tighter" than her previous pregnancies.

After spending several weeks in the Special Care Nursery (SCN), where their daughters lay side by side, FAME sent these new mothers and their daughters back home.

Access to maternal newborn healthcare in rural Tanzania is still incredibly limited. FAME is proud to serve as a lifeline, particularly for women like Nangiki and Shomo, who face sudden complications requiring specialized care for themselves and their children.

*The patients' names have been changed to protect their privacy and Permissions were secured to share these patients' stories. These interviews have been translated from Maasai to English.

The patient

When we arrived at FAME, I met a doctor and it was a relief to see that she was a woman. I would not have been comfortable discussing my problems with a man. Furthermore, she was a fellow Maasai, just like me! I was very excited! I could communicate in my native language and share everything happening to me in detail, as I don’t speak English and know only a little Swahili. The doctor listened to me, writing down everything I said. Sometimes, she would ask me questions, which I would gladly answer. She ordered some tests and they had to take my blood. But I was not scared, just very hopeful! 

When she received the test results, she prescribed medication for me. That was three months ago. She asked me to return for a follow-up after three months and here I am today. The medicine has worked! I feel so much better. My strength has returned and I can now do more around the house, including playing with my children and chasing after the goats! I am very happy. FAME has been a blessing!”

“When the Maasai women and men come to see me, even if they know Swahili or English, they will always ask if it is okay to speak Maasai. And when I say yes, it makes them so happy as they are more comfortable explaining their symptoms in their language, making them open up more. I am very blessed to be in a position to help my people.”

— Dr. Theresia Sariko Lepapa, the physician who cared for this patient.

*Permission was secured to share this patient's story. This interview has been translated from Maasai to English.

“I have been sick for nearly two long years. It has been a rollercoaster of doctor visits, herbalist remedies and countless clinics, but none worked. I was very sad as I was newly married and my illness left me feeling dizzy and weak most days, making it hard to care for my husband and children how I wanted to.

About three months ago, my sister-in-law shared a story with me. It was about a woman in our neighboring village who had been sick for many months and everyone, including her family, had given up hope. Someone told her about a hospital called FAME, saying they had good doctors who could see things others could not. She talked to my husband, who agreed to let her bring me to FAME.

Our village is quite far away, so it was a long journey to FAME. We took a boda boda [motorcycle taxi], two buses and a bajaji [autorickshaw] to reach here. I was very tired from the long trip and started to get annoyed at my sister-in-law because this was all her idea. I had resigned myself to a life of pain. My husband had married another wife, so I had a lot of help at home and felt supported. I did not need to come to FAME, I told myself, I was surviving just fine!

The patient (right) stands alongside her sister-in-law

Happy*, a 12-year-old girl, lives in Karatu town with her parents and younger brother (her only sibling). She attends a day school with classes from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fortunately, she benefits from a comfortable school bus that picks her up from home in the morning and drops her back after school.

Happy's parents are highly educated; her father works as a Town Planner (responsible for the design and development of urban areas) and her mother is an auditor. Because of their educational background, they place great importance on Happy's education and are committed to her success.

“My parents are quite strict when it comes to exams and homework. They closely monitor my progress in school. During holidays, they arrange for a tutor to visit our home for a few hours to help me with my studies.”

— Happy

Happy enjoys her school, where her class has a fairly balanced gender ratio: 14 girls and 16 boys.

“I really love my school! I learn something new every day. While I enjoy mathematics, I consistently score the highest in English. I also love hanging out with my friends. They mean a lot to me.”

— Happy

Tanzania is a predominantly patriarchal society. When asked  how she is treated compared to her brother, Happy said:

“My brother and I are treated equally. Our parents don’t show favoritism based on gender. At home, we all have our assigned responsibilities. I mainly handle household chores like cleaning and dishwashing, but my mom also helps since she cooks for us every day. My brother’s duty is to care for the chickens and ducks, ensuring their well-being. Sometimes, when there’s a lot of housework, such as when we have visitors, my brother helps me. I’d say we support each other, with no one doing more than the other. Our parents provide us with a lot of support as well.”

— Happy

Happy also takes great pleasure in her identity as a girl.

“I absolutely love being a girl! I enjoy going shopping for dresses and shoes with my parents. Spending hours braiding hair is something I find joy in. My brother doesn’t share my enthusiasm for these activities and I believe he’s missing out!”

— Happy

As she grows up, Happy aspires to become either a doctor or an auditor, inspired by her amazing mother.

Unfortunately, not all girls are as fortunate in northern Tanzania as Happy. She recognizes the privilege of having educated parents who understand the value of education and wholeheartedly support her, regardless of gender, in reaching her full potential.

“My dad took me to FAME today because I had a stomach ache, which kept me from going to school. I’m glad he decided to take time off work to bring me here and ensure I recover quickly and return to school. I don’t like missing school! I’m grateful to him for looking out for me. He cares about my education and my health, too! I’ve seen the doctor, got some medicine and am feeling slightly better. I think I will be okay to go to school tomorrow.”

— Happy

FAME provides comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and education services for adolescent girls. As a hospital, FAME plays an important role in providing accessible and confidential services to help all young girls grow into healthy, knowledgeable and confident individuals. 

*The patient's name has been changed to protect her privacy and permission was secured to share her story. This interview was conducted in English.

I'm sitting across from a young man we'll call X. He's dressed nicely, wearing a clean, ironed, checkered shirt and a jacket that looks like it could be for a special occasion. As he sits down for our chat, he takes off his hat, a sign of respect in Tanzanian culture and greets me with a confident smile, shaking my hand. However, it's important to note that things in his past haven't always been as positive as they are now.

A few years ago, X came to FAME in a deeply troubling state. He exhibited aggressive and impulsive behaviors that caused his family to lose hope for him. His actions had not only embarrassed his family but also disrupted the peace of their community. He frequently engaged in disruptive behavior at the local market, often chasing after the women selling groceries, finding it entertaining despite the havoc it would wreak. At times, he even ran through the village naked, greatly alarming and upsetting the villagers. As a result, he became somewhat isolated from both his community and his own family.

“I wasn’t feeling good. Sometimes, I had terrible headaches and my head felt heavy. Other times, my ears would ring loudly, like drums were playing inside my head! From time to time, I felt extremely happy and that’s when I’d visit the market because it was so nice to see everyone there. But sometimes I also felt deep sadness and didn’t want to leave my house.”

— X

X's mother brought him to FAME after weeks of increasingly aggressive behavior. He had become significantly worse than usual. Often, his family had to restrain his hands to prevent him from harming himself and others. Additionally, he had completely neglected his personal hygiene, making it difficult for others to tolerate his presence. Fortunately, the family lived close to FAME, making it a convenient choice.

X became highly anxious and combative with the medical staff when he arrived at FAME. He was confused and upset because the new surroundings were unfamiliar. As a result, he was quickly admitted and prescribed antipsychotic medication.

After spending several weeks at FAME, X was permitted to return home with a prescription for medication.

“Every day, I take a pill in the evenings. At first, I didn’t like them because they made me nauseous. However, they have improved my symptoms greatly, allowing me to engage in conversations with my family, which I greatly enjoy. So, I have continued taking them. I come to FAME every month to pick up my medication without fail. They help me feel like my old self, so I take them religiously. When I come here, I talk to the doctor about how I am feeling. FAME has really supported me and I am thankful for their help.”

— X

Since coming to FAME, X has been doing quite well. He tells me he has nice clothes and takes great pride in looking sharp. Whenever he washes his clothes, he takes the time to iron them neatly for the next day. He doesn't have a regular job, but he volunteers at the local church and the pastor gives him a small monthly allowance for his help. X says he enjoys being at the church every day, so he's not too keen on seeking employment elsewhere, even if he knows he could make more money.

World Mental Health Day aims to spread awareness and ensure that mental healthcare is accessible to all who require it. X's mother mentioned that since he was a teenager, he displayed some unusual behavior. Still, she didn't know how to address it and didn't want to spend money taking him to the hospital just because he was a bit different from his peers. Only years later, when he experienced a significant breakdown, did she realize it was time to seek help at the hospital.

FAME remains committed to improving mental health, particularly in our community, where significant stigma surrounds individuals and families suffering from mental health challenges.

*The patient's name has been changed to protect his privacy and permission was secured to share his story. The quotes from the interview have been translated from Swahili to English. 

Judy

Today, we are at the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Clinic, where we meet 36-year-old Judy*. She's here for her prenatal checkup as she's 18 weeks pregnant with her second child. This is not Judy's first time at FAME; she had previously given birth to her first child here three years ago. The delivery was difficult as her son was born prematurely, just one day short of reaching the 25-week mark.

“Everything was going well during my pregnancy for the first three months. Then, things took a turn. I started experiencing sharp pains that made it impossible for me to walk and I had to spend most of my days in bed. I attended prenatal classes at FAME then and they advised me to rest and take it easy. However, I suddenly went into full-blown labor when I was almost 25 weeks along. My sister rushed me to FAME and the doctors confirmed that they had no other option but to deliver the baby. It was a devastating experience for me.”

— Judy

Judy, being a new mom with no prior experience, felt extremely frightened and uncertain about what lay ahead.

“I was sure that my child would die. I had never heard of a baby being born that early; I didn’t think it was something that could happen. The doctors and nurses at FAME were incredibly supportive. They comforted me and reassured me that despite the odds against us, my child still had a chance to survive. My son was born weighing only 1.1 lbs. He didn’t even look like a human being! I have never cried so much in my life.”

— Judy

While FAME has a Special Care Nursery, the closest facility to a NICU for almost 100 miles, FAME does not have the synthetic surfactant injection given to premature babies to help them breathe. As a result, Judy’s baby had to be transferred to a NICU in Arusha, 95 miles from FAME.

“The NICU in Arusha was full, but thanks to the efforts of FAME doctors, they managed to secure a spot for me. When my family came to assist with the transfer, they were shocked by just how small my baby was, almost resembling a rat! Nevertheless, I was unwavering in my determination to do whatever it took to save my baby’s life.”

— Judy

Judy stayed with her baby in the NICU at Arusha Lutheran Medical Center (ALMC) for three months.

“It was a very challenging time. My baby was the smallest one in the NICU. I saw other mothers of premature babies crying a lot, but I tried my best to stay strong because I quickly realized that my tears did not make anything better. The doctors were incredibly compassionate and when my son reached 2.2 lbs, they surprised me with a cake and a little celebration! I appreciated how every little achievement was celebrated there.”

— Judy

Judy's beaming as she flips through pictures of her unstoppable three-year-old son. "FAME made it all possible and I'm so grateful," she says, deeply moved.

Judy is very thankful to FAME.

“FAME truly saved my baby’s life. He is now an active 3-year-old and very intelligent! He keeps me on my toes! I named him Godwin, but now we all just call him ‘Miracle’. I have always had faith in doctors, so I might have lost hope if FAME doctors had not told me there was a small chance of survival for my child. FAME stood by me, supporting us every step of the way. After taking my baby home from the NICU, I brought him to FAME’s RCH for vaccinations and checkups, where we still come today. FAME has been there for us for the past three years and it’s given me the courage to have another child. I am confident I am in capable hands with FAME if I ever face a similar situation.”

— Judy

FAME continues to make strides in its Special Care Nursery (SCN). In 2022, we hired pediatrician Dr. Elissa Zirinsky and in 2023, Volunteer Pediatrician Dr. Peter Wallis joined the team. With this level of support and expertise over the next year, we are excited to bring our SCN to the next level in order to greatly reduce the need for these types of referrals.

*The patient's name has been changed to protect her privacy and permission was secured to share her story. The quotes from the interview have been translated from Swahili to English.