The Hidden Faces of Malnutrition: A Call to Action for Kenya’s Future.
A man doesn't step in the same river twice, because it is not the same man, and it is never the same river.
I can only wonder what Heraclitus had in mind when he said this, or perhaps he was inspired by the struggles of his community back in 500 BCE in Ephesus. Known as the "Philosopher of Change," his words resonate deeply with our work, because change is what we strive for every day. Yet, some of the moments we encounter in our community work remind us just how urgent and profound that change needs to be.
In community work, change often arrives in stark, heart-wrenching moments. My heart sinks whenever I encounter children trapped in cycles of helplessness—hungry, impoverished, and robbed of the opportunities every child deserves.
One such moment unfolded in a single-room mabati house deep in rural Lusingetti, Kikuyu Constituency. Inside were a mother and her four children, all severely malnourished. The children couldn’t talk, open their eyes, leave alone stand. The scene was overwhelming—helpless faces, fragile bodies. A dilemma presented itself: do we call an ambulance, or do we squeeze them into my small toyota car and rush to the nearest hospital? Neither option seemed feasible. In such cases, how does one decide? We knew professionals had to be called—only medics could handle the delicate task of tending to individuals hovering between life and death. (Subscribe to continue reading)
