Stories from Shirati
The Shirati Palliative Care team has touched many lives over the years. Here are some of their stories…
Ramadan during a team visit in September 2018
First Palliative Care team visit with Jakaya and his family
Ramadan and his mother during a team visit in August 2024
Ramadan
Ramadan is a patient the team first met in 2016. He lives with his mother in a remote village near Lake Victoria. He has polio and his mobility is limited to crawling. Ramadan spent most of his time laying on a mat near his home. Due to his close proximity to the lake, many fishermen would pass by in their travels and Ramadan began to make friends. He decided to begin making and selling soaps and matches with the hope of earning enough money to buy a radio so he would be less lonely. The Shirati Palliative Team helped Ramadan get started with the necessary supplies and provided encouragement. Their holistic support helped him to have a sense of purpose. Because of his entrepreneurship, Ramadan was able to purchase a radio and repair their home. The team makes regular visits to assess his needs and provide holistic care.
Video from Dorothy of Jakaya at Shirati Hospital
Jakaya
Jakaya is an 18 year old patient in the Sota village who was first seen by the Palliative Care team in April 2024. He was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. During their visit they found his blood sugar reading to be high and he appeared malnourished, weighing only 18 kg (40 pounds). His family was attentive in giving him local herbs, but could not afford the insulin to control his blood sugars. He was then brought to Shirati Hospital for management.
During his hospitalization, the Palliative Care team worked with him closely, started insulin which controlled his blood sugars well, and he slowly improved. When he left the hospital in May, his weight had increased to 24 kg (53 pounds). The palliative care team, using donated funds through our partnership, ensured the family was able to provide Jakaya with the insulin needed to control his blood sugars. After returning home his hair grew in more and was no longer discolored.
In November, Jakaya had made improvements at home, but his condition changed and he was rushed to Shirati Hospital, where he died 3 days later, comfortable under the care of the Palliative Care team.
Mganda during a recent home visit
Jakaya during a later home visit, making improvements
Mganda
Mganda is a 62 year old patient from the Nyahongo village who was well known to the Shirati team for a long time. He was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and had been experiencing uncontrollable pain, leaving him unable to stand or sit because of the cancer metastases. The team started him on oral morphine nearly two years ago which helped provided much needed relief.
Dorothy sent the follow message recently - “He has been praying for the program and when he saw me and the team during home visits, he said “Thank you my friend Doro, my doctor, you have added me days of peace. Even if I die I will die in peace with no pain.””
Dorothy shared that he died a peaceful death at home. They had just refilled his morphine 4 days before his death. “Your support/funds sent to us through fundraising makes a very big difference in our clients life… improving their quality of life… Stay blessed, send our prayers and appreciation to all our friends there.”