Dying is part of life. This is also the case at Rhein – Valley Hospital. Last week, an elderly woman who was receiving care at the hospital died.

 

The woman’s family was displaced from their home during the war last year and they found shelter at Rhine – Valley Hospital Camp. They had to flee without the few belongings they already had and now own nothing.

The entire Rhine – Valley team lovingly cared for the hemiplegic woman until her death. Twice a week, Wanjara, the doctor, visited her at home to check her high blood pressure and diabetes. After death, she was kept at the Nakuru mortuary until the family could raise the money for the funeral. Without the help of Mama Matata, the woman would still be there today. Ruth arranged for a coffin and the necessary burial clothes for the woman. But also for the husband and daughter bought the necessary mourning clothes, because the old shoes had holes and hardly any soles. The only pants and shirt were torn. After everything was taken care of, the woman could be laid to rest at the end of the week. The dead always return to the place of birth.
 
 
 

She was laid to rest outside Molo, a two-and-a-half-hour drive from the hospital. The whole village was present at the funeral. There was singing, dancing and a lot of talking. The family was overjoyed that the wife and mother could be returned to her birthplace in all honor and tradition. The en clothes and shoes they will be able to use well in the future. With intact soles you already walk better and clothes without holes give more warmth…
-Taimi Huber