As founder of Mama Maria Kenya, Peter "Awilo" Kithene has merged his two passions: Africa and medicine. Having grown up in a remote village in Kenya, Kithene bore witness to many easily preventable deaths. "Resources are scarce and treatable conditions go undiagnosed until it is too late," he explains. Kithene's own parents died of an undiagnosed illness, having never received any medical attention; the same was true for six of his 10 siblings.
Kithene was determined to make sure there was adequate medical care for other people living in rural Kenya. "Mama Maria provides essential health care such as basic ambulatory care, prenatal and maternal care and vaccinations, pediatric care, and emergency transport to medical facilities for people living in rural Africa," explains Kithene.
In addition to primary health care, Mama Maria is engaged in regular medical, nutritional, and other educational community outreach programs, runs an orphan-feeding program, and facilitates educational opportunities for the deaf of the community. "These services alleviate some of the fear around illness and provide an opportunity to foster healthy, thriving communities."