Tumaini Health Centre Rwika

Tumaini Health Center - Rwika

About Us

Tumaini Health Center - Rwika

We are a modest medical facility in Rwika Village, Embu County, Kenya. Our founder, the Rev John Itumu, inspired by his parents’ commitment to God and the community, established Tumaini Medical Centre as a ministry run on the Christian principle and teaching of God’s generosity – freely you have received, freely give (Matthew 10.8). A strategic partnership between Tumaini Health UK and Tumaini Health Centre Rwika made this project a reality.

Rwika, named after an ancient spring comprises a the village, several schools including a large vocational technical college/polytechnic – all with a population of 7000 people

As an organization registered under section 10 of the Non-Governmental Organization Coordination Act, we operate under a Board of Trustees. We are licensed to operate as a private level 2 medical institution under the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Act (Reg No 018545). The daily running of the centre is entrusted to a volunteer administrator who is also a trustee and accountable to the board.

 

Our history

A ’hope’ inspired vision

Tumaini in Kiswahili means ‘hope’. The centre was established to build, equip, and run a health centre to provide diagnostic and healthcare to the Rwika community and its environs. We are a God-centered inclusive ministry that offers all God’s people ‘Tumaini’.

We opened our doors to our community on 1 July 2021. Our free one-day medical camps attracted over 100 patients. In June 2023, more than 600 patients were treated before we closed for renovations. Our patients receive consultation /laboratory services and drugs for a highly subsidized fee of about £2 per patient per visit.

In pursuit of ‘total health’

Beyond regular medical care and in pursuit of our community’s ‘total health and inclusivity, ‘ we recently started hosting and running psychosocial programmes for women and young people. The feedback continues to encourage us to do more. We are grateful to those who have shared this vision and resourced the programmes.

In a new vision for Tumaini, our ministry and operations are based on a volunteer model.  Medical personnel are sought to offer their skills in service to the community. Three staff members are paid an upkeep allowance.

Testimonials

Maria a mother of seven, found her way to Tumaini on recommendation who we had earlier treated. She arrived with two sick children. One was immediately put on a drip while the younger child and Maria were treated for pneumonia. We established a relationship with Maria for a while. During that time, the staff visited her home and brought food and other essential gifts. Eventually, three of her children were sponsored by Compassion International. We lost touch with Maria after closing the centre for 8 months. However, our interaction with her begun to open our eyes at the diverse nature of the ministry of Tumaini

Maria A mother

When she visited our clinic she complained of lower abdominal pain and suspecting pregnancy. The test confirmed her as 5 months pregnant. Lilian expressed her disappointment and frustration saying that the pregnancy was unplanned/unexpected and that she couldn’t keep it due to the risks involved. She had 2 previous C-section in five years as she delivered her 2 daughters. The scar was still not healed. She requested us to terminate the pregnancy on the grounds that she was a single mum with two other kids to look after and without any income. Nurse Simon passed on the matter to Nancy, who held two counselling sessions and explained our Christian values. There was a concern that Liliian might seek abortion services elsewhere. Thankfully, she finally accepted to keep the pregnancy. In return, we will offer her free pre-natal and medical care. We have found accommodation for her near Tumaini and paid her relocation cost and one month's rent. We have also asked for donation of clothes and food. Lillian has since joined our weekly Thursday afternoon fellowship and testifies of how God showed up when she was about to give up.

Lillian

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