Lesika* is a young maasai girl from a village in Ngorongoro, five hours from FAME. She had only been married for a year, and she was excited to be expecting her first child. Her three girl friends were also pregnant, and their due dates were within weeks of each other. She was excited to share this journey with them, and was looking forward to parenting their children together. 

“My two friends got their babies in January, and another in February. I was looking forward to my turn! When the stomach pains started, I was very worried. It was not time for the baby to come. I prayed a lot, asking God to save my child.”

— Lesika

Lesika was brought to FAME by her husband and mother-in-law. She had been having excruciating stomach pain for three days. She was only 35 weeks pregnant. Lesika arrived at FAME and after a difficult delivery, gave birth to a son. He was born premature and weighed 2.9 lbs.

The baby was taken to FAME’s Special Care Nursery and put on the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, to provide respiratory support. FAME’s Special Care Nursery is well-equipped and provides round-the-clock care for premature babies, as well as babies who have a low birth weight or need care for neonatal health issues. FAME has a team of 17 highly trained nurse-midwives who care for the babies and offer support to the mothers.

FAME had over 100 admissions to the special care nursery last year and is on track to support even more in 2022.

After 32 days, Lesika’s baby was doing great and finally able to breastfeed fully. He was also gaining weight and already up to 3.4 lbs. 

“I’m very happy. My husband is happier! I’m thankful to FAME, they have done so much for us. When I came here I was very sick, but now I’m healed and I have my child. I have named him Moses because I like the name. My husband will give him a Maasai name, as that’s the important one!”

— Lesika

“I can’t wait to go home and introduce my son to all my friends! I’m certain when our kids are older they will be the best of friends!”

Moses will need to reach certain milestones before he and Lesika can be allowed to go home. But Lesika enjoys spending time with her son at the maternity ward, and is happy to be a mom.

*While the patients’ name has been changed to protect privacy, permission was secured to share their photos and story with FAME supporters, and to raise awareness of available medical care at FAME Medical.

The five children that FAME successfully treated for rabies.

It was mid-March when an 11-year-old Maasai boy was brought to FAME. He came from a local clinic 45 miles away, after displaying symptoms of extreme fear of water, excessive saliva flow, respiratory difficulties, biting and aggression. The doctor at the local clinic asked his family if he had been bitten by a dog. The answer was yes, but did not seem relevant as that was over two weeks ago. The doctor knew right away, “he has rabies. You have to take him to FAME now.”

Two weeks earlier, Leboo* and his three male cousins were herding cows two miles from their home. On this particular day, a strange dog appeared out of nowhere and started chasing the cows. Leboo, being the oldest, ran towards the dog to scare it away from the animals. That's when it bit him. His cousins became involved in the scuffle as well. Two suffered minor bite marks and the other got a few scratches. The dog escaped.

It wasn't until two weeks later that Leboo became violently sick. He was rushed to the local clinic, where the doctor diagnosed him with rabies and urgently referred him to FAME for a rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) vaccine. Unfortunately, Leboo passed away an hour after arriving at FAME. His condition had become fatal once the symptoms began.

Volunteer Dr. Shama Cash-Goldwasser (center) is pictured with FAME's social worker, Nganana Kitashu (far left), during their trip to the village to find rabies-infected persons.

“Thank you to FAME and God. I believe FAME and God worked together to save our children. If you had not come for the children, we had no way of bringing them this far to the hospital.”

- Youngest boy's mom

"I am a single mom and I had no money to see a doctor. Thank you FAME for caring about us. Our village is quite far and secluded, and sometimes we think everyone has forgotten us. But not FAME.”

- Girl’s mom

“I was in shock. I was sad. I was confused. When they told me the boy had died, I just stood there. I didn’t want to cry, because I had to call his mother in the village and tell her. A few years ago, I was the one who had to tell her that her husband, my brother, had died. And now I had to be the one to tell her that her oldest child was dead.”

— Leboo’s Uncle

Leboo’s uncle had mentioned that there were other boys bitten by the same dog, but that they were fine. The medical staff at FAME knew it was only a matter of time before Leboo’s cousins began showing symptoms too. FAME’s social workers, together with volunteer Dr. Shama Cash-Goldwasser, drove to the local village to find the kids. They asked the parents if they could bring the kids to FAME, as they believed that the boys had been exposed to rabies as well. As they prepared to leave and bring the children to FAME, a neighbor ran up to the team and said that there were two young children from a different homestead who also had been bitten by a dog.

“We ran to the homestead. We found a 3-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl; their mothers confirmed that they had been bitten by a strange dog, but since it was not a big bite, they didn't think it was serious. We informed them it was urgent that we take the kids with us to FAME, and that it was a matter of life and death.” - FAME’s social worker, Nganana Kitashu

Once at FAME, the five kids were admitted to the inpatient ward where they received free rabies vaccines and were monitored for rabies symptoms. After three days, they were safe to return home.

Rabies, locally known in Tanzania as kichaa cha umbwa (madness of dogs), is a deadly virus that spreads to people from the saliva of infected animals, usually transmitted through a bite. While canine rabies is almost entirely eliminated in many parts of the world. The United States reports between one and three cases of rabies annually. In 2021, there were five rabies deaths recorded, all occurring from bat bites, and the highest number in centuries (CDC). This is not the case for Tanzania. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), rabies is responsible for an estimated 1,500 deaths per year in Tanzania. This is especially common in rural areas, where there is often limited rabies vaccines available and poverty and access to health services present barriers to treatment.

Local dog ownership in Tanzania is limited and most dogs are roaming free. The Tanzanian government is finalizing a national rabies control strategy, which will involve a nationwide dog vaccination campaign, with the aim to eliminate canine rabies by 2030.

Rabies is a preventable disease when treatment is administered in time, but in those cases where an infected person begins exhibiting symptoms, it is nearly always fatal (CDC). For rural communities in Tanzania, rabies is particularly devastating as treatment is limited and often far away. FAME is proud of its teams’ rapid response and dedication to ensuring that life-saving rabies treatment is available to people living in the most rural parts of its catchment area.

“I want to thank FAME and everyone here. As a village, we are very grateful. We might have lost one son, but you have saved five of our children. Thank you for the quick intervention and for the free medication and transport to your hospital. Mostly, we are thankful for the education we have received about rabies. Now we know what it is and what to look out for. Next time, we will be ready!"

- Leboo’s uncle, pictured with FAME's Social Worker Kitashu (in black shirt), the mamas, and the children during their visit to FAME

*While the patients’ name has been changed to protect privacy, permission was secured to share their photos and story with FAME supporters, and to raise awareness of available medical care at FAME Medical.

When five-month-old John* started coughing uncontrollably and was struggling to breathe, his worried mum knew she needed to do something. She had taken him to a local dispensary a couple of days before, but sadly there had not been any improvement. If anything, his health was declining rapidly. She knew of a bajaji (auto rickshaw) driver in her neighborhood, and she called him to see if he could help. Luckily, the driver was nearby and drove her and little John to Karatu town from their village. Unfortunately, with the heavy rains in Karatu this season, the bajaji driver could not get on the muddy road to FAME. He told her that he was sorry, but Karatu town was the furthest he could go. She had no choice but to alight and take a boda boda (motorbike) to FAME. 

“I had a million thoughts running through my head. I was scared for my child, and more so of riding on the boda boda with all the turbulent wind blowing in our faces. I tried to cover John as much as I could, as I knew if I didn't get him to FAME, he would not survive.” - John’s mother 

When they arrived at FAME, little John was taken straight to the emergency room. He was diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia which included difficulty breathing and heavy coughing, additionally he had a high fever and persistent vomiting. After five nights at the inpatient ward, little John was well enough to go home and see his three older siblings.

John poses with his happy mama

“I want to say thank you to the doctors and nurses, and to everyone at FAME. We have had a good experience here; the service was top notch and they delivered the medicine on time. The medical personnel have been very attentive and monitored John all through. They answered all my questions, and there were many questions! It is my prayer that the doctors and nurses continue working together seamlessly. Finally, John can breastfeed, he wasn’t feeding well before. Thank you FAME!”

— John's Mama

John’s mother is no stranger to FAME. She delivered two of her babies here and continues to bring them to FAME for the baby clinic.

“FAME has been good to me. It's a bit far from my house, so not always easy to get to but so worth it! Asante (Thank you) FAME for everything.”

In the week that John was admitted to the inpatient ward at FAME, we had four other children in the inpatient ward also suffering from bacterial pneumonia. Luckily, they all got better and were able to go back home to their families.

Michael poses with his mama

One of the other children at the ward suffering from bacterial pneumonia was one-year-old Michael*. Just like John, he had a severe dry cough for a week, was running a fever, had loose stool and chills. 

“I took a taxi to FAME when his coughing got worse and his high fever could not break. At FAME they told me he had bacterial pneumonia and he would have to be admitted and watched overnight, while they administered antibiotics. I was relieved that they knew what the problem was, and that they were treating it. The doctors took very good care of us.” - Michael’s Mother

After four nights, Michael was able to return home, healthy.

“Michael is my first and only child, so every little thing scares me! This was our first time sleeping in a hospital, and I’m so thankful to FAME for the good service, the cleanliness of the wards, and the friendliness of the staff. It all made such a scary experience much better.”

— Michael’s mama

*While the patients’ name has been changed to protect privacy, permission was secured to share their photos and story with FAME supporters, and to raise awareness of available medical care at FAME Medical.

Today is World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, a day to raise awareness of the devastating health, social and economic consequences of this disease, and to promote efforts to end it. We talked to Dr. Richard Samson, FAME’s TB and HIV/AIDS coordinator, and one of our former TB patients, Saitoti*, to better understand this disease. In 2021, FAME treated 56 cases of TB, and so far in 2022 we have received 17 cases. 

Saitoti smiles during the interview

24-year-old Saitoti* was experiencing excessive coughing and chest pains. He was struggling to breathe and had excessive weight loss. He had become so weak that he could not perform his job as a herdsman.His grandfather offered to bring him to FAME. He had heard that it was a nice hospital, and thought we could help him. Together, they made the six-hour journey.

Once at FAME, Saitoti was seated in the outpatient clinic where he was waiting to see the doctor. However, while he was waiting, the FAME medical team overheard his cough. He was quickly fast tracked, tests and an X-Ray were done, and Saitoti was diagnosed with TB.

“I was devastated. I was scared. My father died of Tuberculosis 15 years before my diagnosis, and this convinced me that I would suffer the same fate.”

— Saitoti

TB treatment is quite lengthy and the side effects of the medication can be challenging. Dr. Richard explains: “We usually give TB patients medication for seven days, and ask them to come back for review and to get more. However, Saitoti lives quite far from FAME and because of the long and expensive journey, this was not feasible. So we gave him drugs for one month at a time. This is his sixth month on medication, and it will be his last.”

Once home, Saitoti had to be isolated for two weeks, so as not to infect his wife, mother and child, who live with him. “I stayed in a hut outside the home. I never left. My wife brought me food and left it outside the door. I stayed there for two weeks.”

His recovery has not been the easiest. He struggled with feelings of extreme fatigue, especially the first three months of taking medication. After this he was strong enough to go back to herding cattle and walking long distances to visit his friends. “After three months of medication I felt more like myself, it was at this point I became hopeful that I might survive! The doctors advised me to continue with medication for another three months, and this I followed religiously.”

Saitoti expressed his thanks to FAME for his treatment and the good service and follow up that he received. A couple of months ago, he met an older woman at the market who was coughing uncontrollably.

FAME’s Dr. Richard Samson, poses with Saitoti during the interview

“I approached her, struck up a conversation and I quickly realized that she had the same symptoms that I did. I asked her if I could bring her to FAME. She agreed. The doctors here confirmed that she had TB and is now on her second month of treatment and doing well. I’m so happy I was able to save her life. Nobody should die from this disease. ”

— Saitoti

Dr. Richard acknowledges that important strides have been taken in TB research and medications. Just a couple of years ago, the TB treatment pills were so big that the patients struggled to swallow them and some got scared and shied away from taking them. “The treatment is free, as the government of Tanzania provides TB drugs free of charge to health facilities. So nobody should be afraid of the cost.”

The majority of the TB cases received at FAME are the most marginalized and vulnerable people often facing barriers in accessing care. It is by taking the necessary steps to address health inequalities that it will become easier for these communities to access life saving treatment. “Everyone needs to know and understand that TB is curable. It is treatable, and with a timely diagnosis and access to care, lives can be saved.” - Dr. Richard.

*While the patient’s name has been changed to protect privacy, permission was secured to share his photo and story with FAME supporters, and to raise awareness of available medical care at FAME Medical

16-year-old Sironka* took his grandmother's cattle out to graze during his school holiday, as he did every morning. Unfortunately, he lost one of the calves. As he was running around frantically trying to find it, he fell on a big stone, landing on his stomach. His grandmother took him to the local clinic where he received some painkillers and felt better.

A few months later, he was building a house for the family’s goats when he fainted. At first, his mother thought it was the weight of the branches he was carrying that caused him to faint until she saw his swollen stomach. 

She rushed him to a local dispensary where he was given numerous injections over 3 days. This did not help and he continued to suffer from fainting spells, abdominal pain, loss of appetite until eventually he could not pass urine. 

Sironka’s uncle, who lives in Arusha, knew about FAME. He knew it was “a good hospital that makes people well” so he suggested that they bring him there. Unable to be accompanied by his mother who had to stay home with his siblings, Sironka traveled 50 miles alone from his village to get to FAME. His uncle met him in Karatu town and brought him to the hospital.

“When we came to FAME he couldn’t talk, he couldn’t pass urine, couldn’t eat, couldn’t drink even water! And now he is asking for food and water. He says he’s hungry, something he hasn’t said in weeks! It’s amazing!”

— Sironka's uncle

At FAME, the medical staff quickly realized that this was a grave situation. Sironka was taken to the radiology department for an x-ray, which showed that his fall had caused more damage than originally thought. Sironka had to have an emergency open appendectomy to remove his appendix, which was perforated and necrotic. FAME’s skilled surgical team was ready and the operation was a success. After five days at the inpatient ward, Sironka is ready to go home. 

“When they told me that the boy needed an operation, I was strong. I tried not to show fear. The boy had suffered enough and I knew that something drastic had to be done for him to get better.” - Sironka’s uncle

“Without this operation, he could have died. I believe that. We had lost hope. FAME is amazing, this operation has saved his life. The doctors were quick to act when we got here, we got immediate help and were not left waiting for hours. I believe this promptness and the skill of the doctors is what saved Sironka’s life. FAME is doing a good job!” - Sironka’s uncle

Sironka adds with a shy smile, “Ashe!” (Thank You!) 

*While the patient’s name has been changed to protect privacy, permission was secured to share his photo and story with FAME supporters, and to raise awareness of available medical care at FAME Medical.