The Sickle Cell Heroes Comic Book

The Heroes

ABOUT THIS COMIC BOOK Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited red blood cell disorder that results in the formation of abnormal hemoglobin. There are over 300,000 children born with SCD every year with most births occurring in sub-Saharan Africa.

Dr. Sophie Uyoga, a research fellow under the Initiative to Develop African Research Leaders (IDeAL), is one of the thirteen African scientists that received funding to implement innovative community and public engagement projects from the African Academy of Science.

This comic book aims to raise the profile of the social issues and challenges that people living with SCD undergo. This will help the community understand challenges faced by the children and their caregivers and appreciate the role of research in finding better treatments for the disease.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This comic book was funded through the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) DELTAS Africa Community and Public Engagement (CPE) seed fund. DELTAS Africa — the Developing Excellence in Leadership, Training and Science — is a US$100 million programme of the AAS supporting the Africaled development of world-class researchers and scientific leaders in Africa.

The CPE seed fund, created with the support of Wellcome and the UK Department for International Development (DFID), is a 6-month scheme to support DELTAS Africa doctoral and postdoctoral fellows to implement innovative engagement projects aligned to their research projects.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Email: sicklecell@kemri-wellcome.org Call: +254 712 570 192 SPECIAL THANKS TO: The patients and parents involved in the focus group discussions and in-depth interviews that generated content for the comic book. The human genetic factors group, community and school’s engagement teams and the IDeAL team for their support and Community Media Trust for bringing the ideas to life.

BABA PENDO THE PROTECTOR

KUBALI IS WOKEN UP BY A FRANTIC SCREAM AND HE RUSHES OUT. MAMA PENDO IS HOLDING PENDO WHILE HIS MOTHER IS SCREAMING.

?

MOTHER

II

UUI

II

UUI

WE LOST A CHILD THREE YEARS AGO WHO LOOKED EXACTLY LIKE THIS. MAMA PENDO HAS TO TELL US WHY THIS KEEPS HAPPENING!

I DON’T UNDERSTAND. ARE YOU SAYING I MADE THIS HAPPEN?

MY SON. I HAVE SENT WORD FOR YOUR UNCLES AND THE REST OF THE FAMILY TO GATHER HERE IMMEDIATELY.

NO NO NO NO! THIS CAN’T BE HAPPENING AGAIN!

LATER THAT MORNING, THE WHOLE FAMILY GATHERS TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE SICK CHILD.

WE LOST A CHILD 3 YEARS AGO, WHO WAS SICK EXACTLY LIKE THIS ONE HERE TODAY. WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH PENDO, MY DAUGHTER?

IN THE AFTERNOON THEY TAKE THE SICK CHILD TO THE WITCHDOCTORS SHRINE ON TOP OF THE HILL TO FIND OUT WHATS IS WRONG. THE CHILD HAS BEEN CURSED BECAUSE HER MOTHER DISHONOURED THE FATHER.

I CAN TELL THAT THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS IS VERY VERY CLOSE TO THE CHILD.

THE MOTHER MUST BE CLEANSED BEFORE THE CURSE IS LIFTED.

WE HAVE HEARD ENOUGH. WE WILL VISIT THE WITCHDOCTORS.

BABA PENDO IS SO ANGRY AT WHAT THE WITCHDOCTORS SAY THAT HE SENDS MAMA PENDO AND BABY PENDO AWAY.

FROM NOW ON, YOU ARE NO LONGER MY WIFE, AND THIS CHILD IS NOT MINE! PLEASE TAKE HER AND LEAVE MY HOME!

I KNOW A BAD THING HAS HAPPENED AND I AM TRULY SORRY, BUT SHOULD WE TAKE THE BABY TO HOSPITAL, JUST IN CASE?

LATER THAT EVENING, BACK AT HIS HOME, HIS MOTHER AND MAMA MKAMBO ALSO TRY TO MAKE HIM CHANGE HIS MIND.

MAMA PENDO AND PENDO ARE AT SHUKRAN’S HOME, WAITING TO TRAVEL TO HER VILLAGE TOMORROW. IT’S TOO LATE NOW.

THINK VERY CAREFULLY ABOUT THIS. DO YOU REALLY WANT THEM TO LEAVE?

MAMA PENDO!

SHUKRAN! HAS THAT EVIL WOMAN LEFT YOUR HOME?

DID YOU NOT HEAR WHAT THE WITCHDOCTORS SAID? MY MIND IS MADE UP.

BABA PENDO FINALLY AGREES TO TAKE BABY PENDO TO PONA DISPENSARY. SHUKRAN GOES WITH THEM.

MY FRIEND, PENDO IS INNOCENT AND SHOULD NOT SUFFER. SHE NEEDS MEDICAL ATTENTION BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.

FINE. LET US TAKE HER TO THE HOSPITAL. BUT YOU ARE COMING WITH US.

BABY PENDO IS FOUND TO HAVE A HIGH TEMPERATURE AND CRIES A LOT IN PAIN. THE NURSE SENDS THEM TO SEE THE CLINICIAN.

HER TEMPERATURE IS VERY HIGH AND I CAN SEE SHE IS ALSO PALE. HAS SHE BEEN EATING WELL?

THE FOLLOWING DAY, HE GOES TO LOOK FOR MAMA PENDO AT SHUKRAN’S HOUSE. HE IS STILL VERY ANGRY.

SHE HAS NOT BEEN EATING VERY WELL, AND SHE CRIES A LOT AS IF SHE IS IN PAIN.

PENDO!

THE NURSE SITS AT HER DESK AND SCRIBBLES ON A FORM.

THE CLINICIAN EXAMINES PENDO FOR SOME TIME. SHE THINKS SHE MAY HAVE A SERIOUS ILLNESS AND REFERS THEM TO THE COUNTY HOSPITAL FOR MORE TESTS.

THE CLINICIAN HANDS OUT 2 NOTES TO BABA PENDO.

THE CHILD IS VERY SICK. WE NEED MORE TESTS TO CONFIRM THE PROBLEM.

WHAT KIND OF TESTS?

SHE COULD HAVE A BLOOD DISEASE, BUT WE CAN’T TEST IT HERE.

THE FOLLOWING DAY, BABY PENDO IS TAKEN TO MAISHA COUNTY HOSPITAL WHERE THE CLINICIAN AT PONA DISPENSARY TOLD THEM TO GO FOR FURTHER TESTS. THEY WAIT AT THE SICKLE CELL DISEASE CLINIC.

PIMO SHOWS THEM TO THE LAB WHERE THEY MEET LEBO, WHO DRAWS BLOOD FROM PATIENTS.

THEY MAKE SURE CORRECT TREATMENT IS GIVEN. WE CAN NOW TAKE HER BLOOD SAMPLE.

WHERE IS THE TEST TO BE DONE?

ONE IS FOR TESTING AT THE COUNTY HOSPITAL, THE OTHER IS FOR GETTING PAINKILLERS FOR THE CHILD.

PENDO!

YOU REALLY HAVE A LOT OF MACHINES HERE.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN HER BLOOD? THE CLINICIAN WILL TELL YOU MORE.

WAAAH!

AFTER 2 WEEKS, THEY COME BACK TO COLLECT PENDO’S RESULTS. A SENIOR FIELD WORKER AT THE CLINIC MEETS THEM.

SO WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO PENDO DURING THOSE 2 WEEKS?

HELLO! I AM SALAMA, THE CLINICIAN IN CHARGE OF THIS CLINIC. WHEN THE CHILD CRIES A LOT, HAS PALE SKIN, YELLOW EYES WITH SWOLLEN HANDS OR FEET, SHE MAY HAVE SICKLE CELL DISEASE WHICH AFFECTS THE BLOOD. WE WILL KNOW IN 2 WEEKS.

PENDO TESTED POSITIVE FOR SICKLE CELL DISEASE.

MY NAME IS MATEMBEZI, SALAMA IS NOT IN TODAY. PLEASE COME INSIDE SO WE DISCUSS THE RESULTS.

DON’T WORRY. I HAVE GIVEN HER PALUDRINE FOR MALARIA PREVENTION AND FOLIC ACID FOR BOOSTING HER BLOOD LEVELS.

THEY ALL GO INSIDE THE CLINICIAN’S OFFICE.

AT THE MOMENT IT CAN’T BE TREATED, BUT WE HOPE TO GET A CURE SOON. PENDO WILL HAVE TO TAKE MEDICINE EVERY DAY FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE.

CAN THIS DISEASE BE TREATED?

NO, NO, NO! SO THE WITCHDOCTORS LIED? THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE! IT HAS TO BE HER FAULT. IT MUST BE FROM HER!

LISTEN, SICKLE CELL DISEASE IS NOT WITHCHCRAFT OR HIV OR A CURSE, OR CAUSED BY ANY OTHER THING. IT IS A DISEASE WHICH IS INHERITED FROM BOTH PARENTS.

THAT EVENING, WHEN THEY GET BACK HOME FROM THE CLINIC, BABA PENDO CALLS A FAMILY MEETING AND TELLS THEM THE REAL CAUSE OF THE CHILD’S SICKNESS. HE APLOGIZES FOR SENDING MAMA PENDO AWAY AND PROMISES TO TAKE CARE OF PENDO.

PENDO CAN BE PART OF THE SEARCH FOR THE CURE FOR SICKLE CELL.

YES WE ARE. GO AND THINK ABOUT IT

WE WILL HELP YOU AND PENDO AS YOUR NEIGHBOURS AND FRIENDS.

YOU REALLY HURT ME. EVEN WHEN THE DOCTORS SAID IT WAS A DISEASE INHERITED FROM US, YOU STILL BLAMED ME!

I AM SORRY FOR ALL I DID. I NOW UNDERSTAND. I PROMISE TO TAKE CARE OF HER UNTIL SHE CAN LOOK AFTER HERSELF.

ARE YOU SEARCHING FOR THE CURE?

FROM THAT DAY ONWARDS, BABA PENDO NEVER MISSED TAKING PENDO FOR HER CLINIC APPOINTMENTS.

PENDO YOU ARE GROWING FAST! YOU ARE FIVE YEARS OLD ALREADY?

AMANI’S SICKLE CELL RESULTS ARE NEGATIVE.

BUT HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? I THOUGHT ALL OUR CHILDREN WILL HAVE IT?

YES! WE HAVE A NEW BABY CALLED AMANI.

BABA PENDO ALWAYS MADE SURE THAT PENDO’S TEACHERS KNEW SHE HAD SICKLE CELL AND TREATED HER RIGHT.

WHEN AMANI TURNED 3 YEARS OLD, BABA PENDO AND MAMA PENDO TOOK HIM FOR A SICKLE CELL DISEASE TEST. THEY WENT FOR HIS RESULTS AFTER 2 WEEKS.

NOT REALLY. EACH PREGNANCY HAS A 25% CHANCE OF HAVING A CHILD WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE

BABA PENDO WAS SO PROTECTIVE OF PENDO, SHE WASN’T EVEN ALLOWED TO FETCH WATER OR PLAY UNDER THE HOT SUN.

GRANDMA, CAN I HELP YOU FETCH WATER?

THANKS FOR LETTING US KNOW.

PENDO MAKE SURE YOU DON’T STAY UNDER THE SUN FOR TOO LONG.

SHE IS NOW 8 YEARS OLD. THIS LETTER FROM THE CLINIC SAYS NO HEAVY PUNISHMENT, WORK OR SPORTS.

YES PENDO, YOU ARE 9 YEARS OLD NOW AND CAN FETCH WATER.

YES DAD.

NO! NO! NO! SHE CAN’T DO HEAVY WORK!

ONE DAY WHEN PENDO WAS 11 YEARS OLD, SHE HAD AN ATTACK AND WAS ADMITTED IN HOSPITAL.

AT 14, AFTER SITTING FOR HER FINAL PRIMARY SCHOOL EXAMS, SHE GOT AN ADMISSION LETTER TO A SECONDARY SCHOOL FAR FROM HOME. I WANT TO GO TO A BOARDING SCHOOL. I CAN NOW TAKE CARE OF MYSELF.

THE DOCTOR HAS GIVEN YOU MEDICINE CALLED HYDROXYUREA. NOW YOU WON’T HAVE AS MANY ATTACKS.

I AM GLAD YOU ARE HERE WITH ME. I AM YOUR PROTECTOR.

THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BEING MY PROTECTOR. I CAN START WITH THE NEARBY SCHOOL AND GO TO BOARDING WHEN I TURN 17.

THAT SCHOOL IS SO FAR AWAY FROM US. WHAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO YOU? WE KNOW,BUT WE WANT YOU TO BE CLOSE TO US IN CASE YOU NEED EMERGENCY TREATMENT.

THANK YOU BABA PENDO FOR KEEPING YOUR PROMISE TO PROTECT HER.

THE END!

BARAKA

THE DREAMER

BARAKA IS A CHEEKY AND JOVIAL BOY. ONE DAY ON THEIR WAY HOME AFTER SCHOOL, THEY NOTICE A NEW BILLBOARD AT THE END OF THE ROAD.

THROUGH FOOTBALL OF COURSE. I WILL BE A SOCCER STAR.

LATER ON IN THE WEEK, AS THEY PLAY FOOTBALL AT SCHOOL.

DAUDI, THAT WILL BE ME WHEN I GROW UP.

IT’S VERY NICE, YOUR DREAM. HOW WILL YOU GET IT?

HE IS RUSHED TO NEARBY MAISHA COUNTY HOSPITAL WHERE HE IS EXAMINED AND WHEELED INTO SURGERY. I CAN’T MOVE! DAUDI, I CAN’T MOVE!

BARAKA FALLS DOWN ALL OF A SUDDEN AND CRIES OUT IN PAIN.

I AM GOING TO GET HELP.

THE CLINICIAN, SALAMA IS CONCERNED AND ASKS TO SPEAK TO BARAKA’S DAD IN HIS OFFICE.

WELL, HE IS A NORMAL BOY, ALWAYS RUNNING AROUND, BUT USUALLY COMPLAINS OF ACHES AND PAINS.

FANI, I AM SO SCARED.

DON’T BE SCARED LITTLE BROTHER. WE WILL BE HERE WHEN YOU COME OUT.

DON’T BE SCARED. IT’S A VERY SIMPLE PROCEDURE. YOU WILL BE OUT IN NO TIME.

THE SURGERY WENT WELL. BUT BARAKA HAS TO GO FOR EXERCISES TO MAKE HIS LEGS STRONGER.

DOES BARAKA COMPLAIN OF PAIN?

WILL HE BE ABLE TO WALK AGAIN?

THIS IS WHY WE SUSPECT HE MAY HAVE SICKLE CELL DISEASE. WE HAVE TO DO FURTHER BLOOD TESTS.

YES HE WILL. BUT FIRST, HE HAS TO LEARN HOW TO USE A WALKER.

BARAKA WAKES UP AFTER SURGERY TO THE NEWS THAT HE HAS TO GO FOR PHYSIOTHERAPY TO MAKE HIS LEGS STRONGER. FANI, HIS SISTER IS BY HIS SIDE, COMFORTING HIM.

BARAKA IS TAUGHT HOW TO USE A WALKER IN THE PHYSIOTHERAPY UNIT.

DON’T BE SCARED TO GO OUTSIDE. NOBODY WILL LAUGH AT YOU,

A WEEK AGO I WANTED TO BE A SOCCER STAR, AND TODAY I CAN’T EVEN WALK! WHAT IS THIS DISEASE?

WHEN BARAKA COMES FOR HIS CHECK UP, HE CAN COLLECT THE SICKLE CELL TEST RESULTS.

BARAKA FINALLY RETURNS TO SCHOOL AFTER RECUPERATING AT HOME FOR ALMOST A MONTH.

WELCOME BACK BARAKA. EVERYONE AT SCHOOL IS READY TO HELP AND SUPPORT YOU.

I AM SORRY SON. YOU HAVE TO REMAIN STRONG. WHEN YOU GO BACK FOR A CHECK UP, WE WILL GET THE SICKLE CELL TEST RESULTS AND WE WILL KNOW FOR SURE.

I STILL HAVE THAT DREAM. BUT I WILL NEED ANOTHER WAY.

NO. NEVER.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING NICE TO ME.

BARAKA AND FANI ARE ON THEIR WAY TO THE CLINIC TO GET HIS SICKE CELL TEST RESULTS. THEY ARE RIDING HIS FAVORITE TUK TUK.

VERY PROUD OF YOU BARAKA. YOU DON’T NEED YOUR WALKER ANYMORE. HE HAS REALLY IMPROVED. THE CLINIC MUST BE GOOD FOR HIM.

I HAVE TO DEFEAT THIS THING. IT CAN’T LIVE MY LIFE FOR ME.

8 DAYS, AFTER BEING RUSHED TO HOSPITAL BARAKA GOES BACK HOME. HIS DAD NOTICES THAT HE DOESN’T WANT TO GO OUTSIDE THE HOUSE.

I KNOW YOU WILL FIND ANOTHER WAY. JUST DON’T GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAM.

BARAKA IS WATCHING DAUDI AND OTHER BOYS AND GIRLS PLAYING FOOTBALL.

BARAKA, YOU HAVE TO EAT WELL, DRINK LOTS OF WATER AND TAKE YOUR MEDICINE EVERYDAY.

WHY DID THIS DISEASE CHOOSE ME?

I AM HAPPY YOU ARE GETTING BETTER. JUST WHEN THE VILLAGERS HAVE STARTED TALKING ABOUT YOU.

SILLY THINGS THAT I CAN’T REPEAT. JUST REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE WORTHY AND DESERVE TO BE HERE.

AT THE CLINIC, SALAMA THE CLINICIAN CONFIRMS THAT INDEED BARAKA HAS SICKLE CELL DISEASE.

IT IS TOUGH WHEN YOU FIND OUT YOU HAVE SICKLE CELL DISEASE LATER IN LIFE. YOU HAVE TO HELP HIM FIGHT.

IT IS SOMETHING YOU ARE BORN WITH. IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT.

AFTER 2 MONTHS, BARAKA IS BACK TO HIS USUAL JOVIAL SELF. HE IS WATCHING TV AT HOME.

WHAT DO THEY SAY ABOUT ME?

I AM WORRIED ABOUT HIM. HE IS JUST SAD THAT HE CAN’T WALK LIKE HE USED TO. OR PLAY FOOTBALL.

SOME PEOPLE SAY …THAT I DON’T HAVE A FUTURE..

SO I SHOULD STOP GOING TO SCHOOL OR CLINIC.

ABOUT A MONTH AFTER SITTING THE NATIONAL PRIMARY SCHOOL EXAMS, BARAKA AND DAUDI ARE RELAXING AT THE NEARBY PARK.

WHAT? SO PROVE THEM WRONG. GOING TO COLLECT MY HIGH SCHOOL ADMISSION LETTER TODAY. YOU HAVE YOURS?

I KNOW. GOT AN ADMISSION LETTER FROM ELIMU SECONDARY SCHOOL FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED.

THE FOLLOWING YEAR, BARAKA JOINS ELIMU SECONDARY SCHOOL FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED (ESSPH).

WHEN HE WAS IN FORM 2, BARAKA ALWAYS READ THE SCHOOL MOTTO EVERYDAY TO INSPIRE HIM TO WORK HARD IN CLASS.

TERMS WENT BY. IN FORM 3, WHEN BARAKA TURNED 16, HE FOUND A LOT OF JOY AND PLEASURE IN DRAWING HIS CLASSMATES AT THE FOOTBALL PITCH.

ONE DAY, AFTER A FOOTBALL MATCH, ONE OF THE NEW BOYS WALKED OVER AND INTRODUCED HIMSELF.

HOW ARE YOU? I AM MANU. EVERY DAY, I SEE YOU HERE DRAWING US.

I AM BARAKA. I LIKE DRAWING. I USED TO PLAY FOOTBALL. NOW I CAN’T, SO I DRAW.

YOU ARE IN MY CLASS. BUT YOU SIT IN THE FRONT. US WE ARE AT THE BACK. CAN I LOOK AT YOUR DRAWINGS?

WHEN I WAS IN PRIMARY SCHOOL, I HAD A DREAM OF BECOMING A SOCCER STAR, HAVING A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY, A NICE HOUSE AND CAR.

I SEE YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOUR HAND AND FOOT. SO WHAT REALLY HAPPENED? WAS IT POLIO? AN ACCIDENT?

BARAKA FOUND SOMEBODY WHO ACTUALLY ENCOURAGED HIM TO TAKE ART SERIOUSLY.

BARAKA AND MANU HIT IT OFF AND BECAME FRIENDS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, TALKING ABOUT EVERYTHING.

I HAVE SICKLE CELL DISEASE. FOUND OUT WHEN I WAS ABOUT 12. IT AFFECTS MY BLOOD AND BONES AND THAT IS WHY I AM LIKE THIS.

IT IS TIME TO DREAM A DIFFERENT DREAM. ONLY THIS TIME INSTEAD OF SOCCER, DREAM ART.

FROM THAT DAY ONWARDS, HE BECAME ONE OF MISS SANAA, THE ART TEACHER’S FAVOURITE STUDENTS.

HMMM….LOOKS GOOD. BUT MAKE YOUR LINES BOLDER.

OF COURSE YES. IF ONE IS SERIOUS, WORKS HARD AND IS DISCIPLINED. JUST LIKE IN ANYTHING ELSE.

THANK YOU MISS. IS IT POSSIBLE FOR ONE TO MAKE A LIVING FROM ART AND DESIGN?

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE GROWN UP, COMING TO THE CLINIC BY YOURSELF FOR THE FIRST TIME!

BARAKA TURNED 17 DURING THAT TERM’S HOLIDAY. HE ALSO COULDN’T WAIT TO GO TO CLINIC BY HIMSELF FOR THE FIRST TIME .

I REALLY LIKE ART. I HAVE ALSO MADE A VERY GOOD FRIEND CALLED MANU. HE IS KIND AND HE HELPS ME.

THAT IS NICE TO HEAR. WE WERE SO WORRIED ABOUT YOU. I WILL TAKE YOUR BLOOD IMMEDIATELY AFTER PIMO TAKES YOUR PRESSURE AND WEIGHT.

TOMORROW, I AM GOING TO THE CLINIC

BY MYSELF!

AMONGST ALL THE EXCITEMENT, CLINICIAN SALAMA NOTICES THAT BARAKA’S BLOOD TEST RESULTS DON’T LOOK GOOD.

BARAKA, YOUR HAEMOGLOBIN LEVELS ARE A BIT LOW. IS EVERYTHING FINE AT SCHOOL?

OK. CAN YOU REMEMBER ANYTHING THAT YOU DID DIFFERENTLY WHEN YOU WERE IN SCHOOL?

SOMETIMES I FORGET TO TAKE MY MEDICINE OR TAKE AS MUCH WATER OR EAT AS I SHOULD. ART CLASSES ARE VERY DEMANDING. I KNOW EVERYTHING IS NEW, BUT ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT YOUR HEALTH COMES FIRST. OK?

OK. SORRY FOR THAT. I PROMISE TO EAT WELL, TAKE PLENTY OF WATER AND TO ALWAYS TAKE MY MEDICINE.

THE FOLLOWING YEAR, BARAKA TURNED 18, AROUND THE TIME HE WAS DOING HIS FINAL ART PROJECT FOR THE NATIONAL EXAM.

THIS IS BRILLIANT WORK BARAKA.

AFTER 4 YEARS AT ESSPH, IT’S TIME FOR BARAKA TO LEAVE. HIM AND MANU BID EACH OTHER A TEARFUL GOODBYE. THANKS MANU FOR BEING SUCH A GOOD FRIEND TO HIM AND TAKING CARE OF HIM ALL THESE YEARS.

THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN ME AND ENCOURAGING ME. YOU HAVE A BRIGHT FUTURE IN ART AND DESIGN. CONSIDER JOINING A COLLEGE TO FURTHER YOUR TALENT AND CAREER.

HE IS A SPECIAL PERSON. HE HAS A BEAUTIFUL DREAM, WHICH WILL COME TRUE. BYE MY FRIEND.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN? I AM THE ONE WHO TOOK CARE OF HIM MOST OF THE TIME.

BARAKA’S FATHER WAS SO PROUD OF HIM FOR FINISHING HIGH SCHOOL THAT HE THREW HIM A PARTY.

SON, I AM PROUD OF YOU FOR NOT GIVING UP DESPITE YOUR ILLNESS. SO WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO NEXT?

DON’T EVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS BARAKA. PROMISE ME THAT.

GOODBYE MANU. I PROMISE. WILL KEEP IN TOUCH.

SO, I HEAR YOU COMPLETED YOUR SECONDARY SCHOOL?

HM. WHY BOTHER WITH EDUCATION? WHY WASTE YOUR FAMILY’S MONEY? WHAT CAN YOU EVER BECOME?

AT ELIMU COUNTY NATIONAL POLYTECHNIC, BARAKA IS ENJOYING HIS CLASSES AND CANT WAIT TO START HIS OWN BUSINESS.

I WANT TO CONTINUE WITH ART AND DESIGN. IT’S MY DREAM FOR THE FUTURE.

IF YOU ARE SURE THAT IS WHAT YOU WANT, WE WILL SUPPORT YOU. WHICH COLLEGE DO YOU WANT TO GO TO?

AFTER A FEW MONTHS, BARAKA IS SET TO JOIN COLLEGE TO STUDY GRAPHIC DESIGN. HE GOES FOR A HAIR CUT.

RINGA. JUST CUT MY HAIR, OK? THAT IS WHAT I AM PAYING YOU FOR. ONE DAY YOU WILL SEE FOR YOURSELF WHAT I CAN DO.

YES I DID. WHAT ABOUT IT?

MANU, HOW HAVE YOU BEEN? THANKS FOR MEETING US. THIS IS ZURI. WE ARE IN CLASS TOGETHER AT THE POLYTECHNIC.

TO CELEBRATE HIS 21ST BIRTHDAY, BARAKA INVITES MANU HIS OLD FRIEND FOR LUNCH AT A NEARBY RESTAURANT. NICE TO MEET YOU ZURI. WE WERE IN HIGH SCHOOL TOGETHER WITH BARAKA!

NICE TO MEET YOU TOO. BARAKA HAS TOLD ME A LOT ABOUT YOU.

AFTER LUNCH, MANU WALKS THEM BACK TO COLLEGE GATES. HE IS VERY HAPPY FOR HIS FRIEND BARAKA.

SO PROUD OF YOU BARAKA. REMEMBER THE DREAM! ZURI, TAKE CARE OF HIM.

ONE YEAR LATER, BARAKA IS IN HIS HOME OFFICE, WHERE HE CONDUCTS HIS BUSINESS. HIS FAMILY HELPED HIM SET IT UP AND IT IS PICKING UP.

I CAN’T BELIEVE WE HAVE BEEN HERE FOR A YEAR! 6 MORE MONTHS TO GO THEN GRADUATION!

OK….OK….NO PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS. BYE.

I WILL. SEE YOU SOON.

RINGA THE BARBER WALKS IN. HE NEEDS SOME URGENT POSTERS FOR HIS SHOP AND A FRIEND OF HIS SENT HIM TO BARAKA’S SHOP. RINGA, WELCOME. HOW CAN I HELP YOU?

YES I AM. REMEMBER WHAT I TOLD YOU? CAN YOU NOW SEE?

MR MAMBO, YOUR ORDER IS READY FOR COLLECTION. I HAVE SENT YOU AN INVOICE. DID YOU GET IT?

3 MONTHS LATER, BARAKA GETS A PHONE CALL FROM SALAMA THE CLINICIAN, HE RUSHES TO THE CLINIC TO SEE HIM I WAS SURPRISED BY YOUR PHONE CALL. IS SOMETHING WRONG?

BARAKA…THIS...

THIS…IS YOUR...

BUSINESS? ? I WAS TOLD THIS IS THE BEST DESIGN SHOP IN TOWN! I DID NOT KNOW IT WAS YOURS!

NOT AT ALL. IT IS ABOUT CORRECTIVE SURGERY FOR YOUR LEFT LEG. NOW THAT YOU ARE 22 YEARS OLD, YOU NEED IT.

IF IT WILL HELP ME WALK BETTER, IT IS FINE. I WILL LET YOU KNOW WHAT I DECIDE.

BARAKA AND ZURI GO TO VISIT BARAKA’S FATHER AFTER A LONG TIME. THEY TALK IN THE VERANDAH AS THE REST WATCH TV INDOORS. THEY COME OUT AND JPIN THEM AFTER A WHILE.

THE REST COME OUT AND JOIN THEM IN THE VERANDAH. BARAKA, IS ZURI YOUR GIRLFRIEND?

IT SEEMS BUSINESS IS DOING WELL. ANY FUTURE PLANS?

IT IS NOT BAD. MAYBE GET CORRECTIVE SURGERY FOR MY LEFT LEG, AND THEN GET MY DIPLOMA IN GRAPHIC DESIGN.

YOUR BIG BROTHER IS A KIND,, POLITE, HONEST AND HARDWORKING MAN AND I REALLY ADMIRE HIM .

FOR NOW WE ARE VERY GOOD FRIENDS. MAYBE IN THE FUTURE, THINGS WILL CHANGE.

WE ARE HAPPY FOR YOU. JUST REMEMBER ZURI HAS TO GO FOR SICKLE CELL TESTING BEFORE YOU GET TOO SERIOUS!

THE END!

Mwalimu Juma AND Lulu

MWALIMU JUMA LOOKS UP FROM THE TEST PAPERS HE IS MARKING THAT ARE STREWN ALL OVER HIS DESK. HE IS ON DUTY AND HE NOTICES LULU WALKING IN THROUGH THE GATE, LATE.

HE LEAVES AND MAKES FOR LULU’S CLASS ROUND THE CORNER FROM HIS OFFICE. HE STOPS AND THEN PEEPS AROUND THE CORNER. LULU IS OUTSIDE HER CLASSROOM. MWALIMU HERI IS AT THE DOOR, YELLING ANGRILY AT LULU.

HMMMM. THIRD TIME THIS WEEK SHE IS LATE. WHAT IS GOING ON, I WONDER?

YOU ARE ALWAYS LATE! THIS IS NOT A MARKET YOU WALK INTO ANYTIME YOU FEEL LIKE! COME HERE!

LATER ON THAT AFTERNOON, DURING GAMES TIME, MWALIMU JUMA NOTICES LULU SLEEPING ON HER DESK.

THAT EVENING, AS THEY ARE LEAVING SCHOOL, MWALIMU JUMA CALLS OUT TO LULU. ARE YOU FINE? IS EVERYTHING OK AT HOME?

WAAAH! HMMMM. SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG WITH HER.

THE FOLLOWING DAY IS SATURDAY. LULU IS AT HOME PLAITING HER SISTER’S HAIR. HER FATHER IS ON PHONE AS MWALIMU JUMA MAKES HIS WAY TOWARDS THEM.

I AM FINE. ALL IS WELL AT HOME MWALIMU. WHY?

MWALIMU! THIS IS A SURPRISE! WELCOME.

ACTUALLY, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT LULU.

YES YES…ARE YOU SURE YOU ARE READY? I AM ON MY WAY….YES.

HE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT LULU, BUT I HAVE TO GO.

NDUGU! TAKE THIS WATER INSIDE THE HOUSE. WELCOME, MWALIMU JUMA.

LULU HAS COME TO SCHOOL LATE THREE TIMES THIS WEEK, AND I HAVE SEEN HER GETTING PUNISHED FOR IT.

PUNISHED? HOW?

WHAAT!

I DON’T UNDERSTAND…….

WHAT IS GOING ON?

TELL ME, HAVE YOU NOTICED ANYTHING STRANGE SINCE YOU GOT HERE?

STRANGE? HMMMMM… I WAS SURPRISED THAT YOU WERE FETCHING WATER BY YOURSELF...

I AM TIRED!

THE CLASS TEACHER….

BEAT HER HANDS.

TIRED OF WHAT? UH…UH.…YOU STOPPED LULU FROM CARRYING THE WATER INTO THE HOUSE. WAIT, IS LULU ALLERGIC TO WATER?

HAHAHA!

I WISH. ANYWAY, LULU HAS A DISEASE CALLED SICKLE CELL DISEASE. WHICH IS INHERITED FROM US.

GOD BLESS YOU FOR THAT. THESE CHILDREN REALLY SUFFER FOR A MISTAKE THAT IS NOT THEIRS!

IS THAT FUNNY?

I SEE. OK. I SEE.

YOU KNOW, I BROUGHT A LETTER TO SCHOOL FROM THE CLINIC WHERE SHE GOES. THE LETTER EXPLAINS THE NATURE OF HER DISEASE AND THAT SHE SHOULD NOT BE BEATEN AT SCHOOL, OR MADE TO DO HEAVY ACTIVITIES LIKE RUNNING OR PLAYING FOR LONG. I GAVE IT TO THE HEADMISTRESS!

I GOT WORRIED WHEN I ALSO FOUND HER SLEEPING ON HER DESK DURING GAMES. THAT IS WHY I CAME TO TALK TO YOU, HER PARENTS.

LOOK, I AM STILL NEW AT THE SCHOOL. AT LEAST NOW I UNDERSTAND AND CAN TALK TO THE REST OF THE TEACHERS ABOUT THE DISEASE.

THANK YOU FOR TELLING ME. TOGETHER, WE CAN PROTECT LULU.

MRS LENGO? SHE HAS BEEN AWAY ON SICK LEAVE FOR SOME TIME NOW.

BUT THIS TEACHER WHO PUNISHES LULU, DOES HE NOT KNOW? DID MRS LENGO INFORM OTHER TEACHERS?

THE FOLLOWING WEEK, BACK AT SCHOOL, MWALIMU JUMA IS IN THE STAFFROOM.

HOW DO I TALK TO THEM ABOUT SICKLE CELL DISEASE?

YOU AND YOUR YELLOW EYES.

MEANWHILE, AT THE PLAYGROUND, LULU AND DAMARIS ARE PLAYING FOOTBALL WHEN NETO GRABS LULU’S WATER BOTTLE.

YOU ALWAYS WALK WITH THIS WATER BOTTLE AROUND. YOU THINK YOU ARE TOO GOOD FOR THE REST OF US?

NETO AND HIS GROUP LAUGH AND WALK AWAY, LEAVING LULU ON THE GROUND PICKING UP HER BOTTLE. DAMARIS RUNS OFF TO THE STAFFROOM.

PLEASE GIVE ME BACK MY BOTTLE. I NEED IT.

YOUNG LADY, THIS IS NOT A HOTEL WHERE YOU COME IN ANY TIME YOU WANT. WHAT DO YOU WANT?

NETO! I AM GOING TO TELL ON YOU.

DAMARIS ENTERS THE STAFFROOM AT FULL SPEED, STARTLING THE TEACHERS. SOME NEARLY SPILL THEIR TEA.

SORRY SIR. MWALIMU JUMA. LULU NEEDS YOUR HELP NOW!

MWALIMU JUMA GETS UP IMMEDIATELY AND THEY RUN OFF TO WHERE LULU IS.

LULU HAS MANAGED TO DRAG HERSELF TO THE NEAREST CLASS BUT IS NOT BREATHING WELL.

I…NEED…..

WATER.

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

I AM GOING TO FETCH WATER FOR HER.

HALLO, HALLO? MAMA LULU, CAN YOU PLEASE COME TO SCHOOL IMMEDIATELY?

?! !

MY CHILD. HOW ARE YOU FEELING?

I AM FINE. THANKS TO MWALIMU JUMA AND DAMARIS.

DON’T WORRY LULU. DAMARIS WILL BRING YOUR BOOKS IN THE EVENING AND YOU CAN DO HOMEWORK TOGETHER.

I NEED TO SPEAK TO THE TEACHER IN CHARGE ABOUT THIS BULLY. RIGHT NOW!

I THINK YOU SHOULD TAKE LULU HOME TO REST. I WILL HANDLE THE BULLY. PLEASE TAKE LULU HOME.

SO LONG AS IT IS NOT ABOUT FOOTBALL OR POLITICS.

AFTER 30 MINUTES, MAMA LULU ARRIVES ON A MOTORBIKE. SHE LEAVES FOR HOME SHORTLY WITH LULU AFTER TALKING WITH MWALIMU JUMA.

THE NEXT DAY AT GAMES TIME, MWALIMU JUMA IS IN THE STAFFROOM AND HE KNOWS HE MUST TALK TO THE OTHER TEACHERS ABOUT SICKLE CELL. MY FELLOW TEACHERS, THERE IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT.

I THOUGHT YOU SAID IT WAS SOMETHING SERIOUS.

IT’S SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS, AND IT AFFECTS SOME OF OUR PUPILS HERE. IT’S CALLED SICKLE CELL DISEASE.

IT’S VERY SERIOUS. YOU ALL HEARD ABOUT YESTERDAY’S INCIDENT. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE TEACHERS UNDERSTAND ABOUT THE DISEASE AND HELP THESE PUPILS.

WHAT HAPPENED TO LULU? IT SOUNDS SERIOUS.

MWALIMU NAHASHON, THE LONGEST SERVING TEACHER WALKS INTO THE STAFFROOM.

FOR ME, I WILL PUNISH ALL PUPILS UNTIL THEY GET DISCIPLINED. THAT IS OUR ROLE AS TEACHERS.

EVERYTHING SEEMS FINE AFTER THE INCIDENT WITH THE BOY.

SOME OF THEM ARE PRETENDERS!

A FEW WEEKS AFTER HER INCIDENT, LULU HAS GONE FOR A CHECK UP AT THE SICKLE CELL DISEASE CLINIC.

HE IS SUCH A MEAN BOY.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE SICK CHILDREN. WHAT PLEASURE DO YOU HAVE IN INFLICTING PAIN ON A SICK CHILD IN THE NAME OF PUNISHMENT? IS THAT NOT EVIL? ARE TEACHERS EVIL?

AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS, MRS LENGO RETURNS TO SCHOOL AND MEETS MWALIMU JUMA.

THIS IS A PRESCRIPTION FOR PAINKILLERS FOR HER. SEE YOU NEXT TIME FOR HER REVIEW.

YES DOCTOR. AS USUAL, THAT IS WHAT WE ALWAYS DO.

ANY SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS OF AN ATTACK, RUSH HER TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL, OK?

I HAVE OVER 10 LETTERS FROM THE CLINIC ABOUT THESE CHILDREN LIVING WITH SICKLE CELL.

10!

I HEAR YOU HAVE BEEN DOING GOOD THINGS WHILE I WAS AWAY. I WAS JUST TRYING TO HELP WHILE YOU WERE AWAY.

GOOD.

YES. I ALSO HAVE A LETTER FOR MWALIMU HERI TO APPEAR BEFORE A DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE.

ITS LULU! COME QUICKLY!!.

WHAT HAPPENED? MWALIMU HERI! HE MADE HER KNEEL OUTSIDE IN THE SUN.

SHE MADE ME DO IT!! I HAD TO DO IT!

3 DAYS LATER AFTER HER ORDEAL, LULU IS RECOVERING AT MAISHA COUNTY HOSPITAL WARDS WHERE SHE WAS ADMITTED.

MWALIMU JUMA ANGRILY PUSHES HIM AWAY AND PICKS UP LULU. DAMARIS, QUICK! TELL MRS LENGO TO CALL HER MOTHER TO MEET US AT THE HOSPITAL.

I AM JUST SO HAPPY THAT ME AND DAMARIS WERE THERE FOR HER.

THANKS TO MWALIMU JUMA LULU GOT HERE JUST IN TIME!

MWALIMU JUMA, I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU AND HOW YOU TOOK CARE OF ME. LULU, I AM SORRY FOR LETTING YOU DOWN MWALIMU HERI WAS SUSPENDED FROM DUTY.

THE END!

DAVIS

THE SUCCESS

10.00 AM. ELEZA KENYA UNIVERSITY GROUNDS. IT IS GRADUATION DAY.

“DAVIS”

ROSA APPROACHES FROM A DISTANCE AS DAVIS IS TAKING A SELFIE OF THE THREE OF THEM.

DAVIS, MAMA DAVIS AND KUNTA POSE FOR PHOTOS AFTER.

ROSA IS SHAKING HANDS WITH DAVIS.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR GRADUATION. MY NAME IS ROSA AND I AM A TV JOURNALIST.

THIS IS MY MUM AND KUNTA, MY BROTHER. ROSA IS A TV JOURNALIST.

IT IS OK KUNTA. WE WILL REPRESENT YOU WELL. TV JOURNALIST? ARE WE GOING TO BE ON TV? PEOPLE AT HOME WON’T BELIEVE IT!

THANK YOU. YOU ARE A TV JOURNALIST?

YES, AND I WOULD LIKE TO DO AN INTERVIEW WITH YOUR FAMILY ON OUR TV SHOW. INTERESTED?

YES, I JUST TOLD DAVIS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO AN INTERVIEW WITH YOUR FAMILY TOMORROW?

THANKS GUYS..

LET’S MEET TOMORROW AT 8 AM, TANGAZA TOWERS, OK?

I AM GOING BACK TO THE BARRACKS THIS EVENING, SO I CAN’T MAKE IT TOMORROW.

THE FOLLOWING DAY AT TANGAZA MEDIA STUDIOS. 8.30 AM.

ROSA KICKS OFF THE INTERVIEW BY ASKING MAMA DAVIS A QUESTION. MAMA DAVIS, WHEN YOU SAY DAVIS HAS COME FROM FAR, WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

WELCOME TO THIS SHOW AND THANKS FOR COMING. PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELVES.

I AM NANCY AND DAVIS IS MY ELDEST SON. I AM SO SO PROUD OF HIM, BECAUSE HE HAS COME FROM VERY FAR TO BE WHERE HE IS.

I THINK THAT IS A QUESTION THAT DAVIS SHOULD ANSWER.

THANKS FOR HAVING US. I AM DAVIS. I AM 25 YEARS OLD, AND I GRADUATED YESTERDAY WITH A BACHELORS IN LAW DEGREE.

WELL, I WAS A VERY ACTIVE CHILD, RUNNING AROUND, PLAYING FOOTBALL, CYCLING, MAKING CARS OUT OF CLAY.

I USED TO FEEL PAIN IN MY JOINTS AND BONES ALL THE TIME. BUT WHEN I GOT HOME MY MUM USED TO THINK I HURT MYSELF WHILE PLAYING.

FLASHBACK. DAVIS IS 7 YEARS OLD. HE HAS JUST COME HOME FROM PLAYING AND IS IN PAIN, SO HIS MOTHER ORGANIZES A MASSAGE AS USUAL. AFTER SOME TIME, MAMA DAVIS FINALLY DECIDES TO TAKE DAVIS FOR A CHECK UP IN HOSPITAL. THE RESULTS INDICATE DAVIS HAS SICKLE CELL DISEASE, WHICH AFFECTS HIS BLOOD AND BONES.

YES. IT SEEMS SO.

MUM, WHY AM I ALWAYS IN PAIN?

SEEMS LIKE THE HOT WATER IS NOT WORKING ANYMORE.

PRESENT DAY. AT TANGAZA MEDIA STUDIOS, ROSA CONTINUES WITH THE INTERVIEW.

WHY NOT?

I AM NOT SURPRISED. I HAVE ALWAYS SUSPECTED I WAS A CARRIER… MY BONES ITCH OR PAIN IN A CERTAIN WAY.

WELL, YOU HAVE A SICKLE CELL GENE AND HIS FATHER HAS IT AND DAVIS INHERITED IT FROM YOU. WE WILL HELP YOU AND HIM MANAGE IT IN THIS CLINIC.

PRESENT DAY. TANGAZA MEDIA STUDIOS. DAVIS IS EXPLAINING A POINT AS THE REST LOOK ON.

I REMEMBER THAT DAY VERY WELL. USUALLY, HE JUST GOT MASSAGED AND HE WOULD BE FINE. BUT NOT THAT DAY

I JUST FELT IN MY BONES THAT THIS PAIN WAS NOT ORDINARY. AND I WAS PROVED RIGHT AT THE HOSPITAL.

THAT IS SUCH AN AMAZING STORY. WHAT MEMORIES DO YOU HAVE OF LIVING WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE?

YES. I HAVE SICKLE CELL DISEASE. IT IS NOT AN EASY DISEASE TO LIVE WITH AND I HAVE STRUGGLED A LOT TO BE WHERE I AM TODAY.

FLASHBACK. DAVIS IS 11 YEARS OLD AND IN PAIN. MAMA DAVIS IS CARRYING HIM ON HIS BACK AS THEY MAKE THEIR WAY TO THE CLINIC.

WHAT ARE YOU STARING AT? YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN A MOTHER CARRYING HER CHILD?

PRESENT DAY. TANGAZA MEDIA STUDIOS. ROSA IS ALMOST MOVED TO TEARS

BY WHAT MAMA DAVIS SAYS.

YOU CARRIED YOUR SON ON YOUR BACK TO HOSPITAL FROM HOME?

WE WILL TAKE A BREAK AND BE BACK SHORTLY.

ALMOST 8 KILOMETRES. HE HAD AN ATTACK, AND WAS IN SO MUCH PAIN. NOBODY COULD HELP ME AND WE DID NOT HAVE MONEY FOR TRANSPORT, SO..

PRESENT DAY. TANGAZA MEDIA STUDIOS. THE INTERVIEW CONTINUES WITH ROSA SWITCHING TO DAVIS’ EDUCATION.

FLASHBACK. DAVIS IS IN FORM 2 AT FAHARI BOYS HIGH SCHOOL. HIS TEACHER HAS CALLED HIM. “ARE YOU EATING WELL AND DRINKING PLENTY OF WATER? HAVE ENOUGH MEDICINE TO LAST THE NEXT WEEK?” FROM YOUR MOTHER.

WELCOME BACK. SO, HOW DID DAVIS MANAGE TO PERFORM WELL AT SCHOOL WITH ALL THIS?

HE WAS ALWAYS TOP IN HIS CLASSES AT SCHOOL. WHEN HE STARTED MEDICATION.

IN BOARDING SECONDARY SCHOOL, I HAD A VERY GOOD TEACHER, WHO UNDERSTOOD MY CONDITION, LOOKED OUT FOR ME AND KEPT IN TOUCH WITH MUM.

YES AND YES. PLEASE TELL HER TO STOP WORRYING ABOUT ME. I AM FINE.

SHE IS JUST CONCERNED. YOU ARE DUE FOR A CLINIC VISIT A WEEK FROM NOW, SO YOU BETTER START ASKING FOR PERMISSION NOW.

I PROMISED TO LOOK OUT FOR YOU. YOU WORK VERY HARD IN CLASS AND HAVE A GREAT FUTURE AHEAD OF YOU.

THANK YOU MR MOYO FOR THE EXTRA SWEATER YOU GAVE ME LAST WEEK. IT REALLY HELPED WITH THE COLD.

PRESENT DAY. TANGAZA MEDIA STUDIOS. ROSA WIPES HER SPECS WHILE LOOKING AT DAVIS.

ITS SIMPLE. PREVENTING WHAT CAUSES PAIN, LIKE BATHING WITH HOT WATER WHEN IT’S COLD, KEEP-ING WARM WHEN IT’S COLD, AVOIDING HARD CHORES AND DRINKING A LOT OF WATER.

DAVIS, WHAT WAS YOUR SECRET TO MANAGING THE PAIN?

PRESENT DAY. TANGAZA MEDIA STUDIOS. DAVIS IS NOW TALKING ABOUT HIS UNIVERSITY DAYS.

DAVIS, HOW WAS UNIVERSITY? DID YOU HAVE AN EASIER TIME THERE?

THAT IS WHERE I LEARNT THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTING ATTACKS, BECAUSE YOU COULD NOT MISS LECTURES, CATS OR EXAMS

I ALSO RELIED A LOT ON MY DOCTOR FROM THE CLINIC. I WOULD CALL HIM EVERY TIME I WAS FEELING SICK AND HE WOULD TELL ME WHAT TO DO.

FLASHBACK. DAVIS IS IN THE MT KENYA UNIVERSITY HOSTELS. IT IS 1.00 PM. AND HE IS LYING ON HIS BED, LOOKING SICK AND ON HIS PHONE.

2 HOURS LATER, DAVIS CALLS BACK THE DOCTOR WITH GOOD NEWS.

I TOOK PALUDRINE, FOLIC ACID AND HYDROXYUREA LAST EVENING. THE PAIN IS STILL THERE. SORRY TO HEAR THAT. TAKE FOLIC ACID, A PAINKILLER, DRINKS LOTS OF WATER AND SLEEP FOR AN HOUR OR TWO. IF IT IS COLD, WEAR A SWEATER, OK? OK. WILL CALL YOU AND LET YOU KNOW.

MUCH BETTER. IN FACT I AM THINKING OF GOING FOR MY EVENING LECTURE.

PRESENT DAY. TANGAZA MEDIA STUDIOS. THE INTERVIEW IS ALMOST COMING TO AN END. PAIN IS TEMPORARY, BETTER DAYS ARE COMING AHEAD, NEVER LOSE HOPE.

AS WE COME TO THE END, ANY LAST WORDS FOR PATIENTS WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE AND THEIR PARENTS?

FINALLY, WHAT IS IN THE FUTURE FOR YOU?

TO PARENTS, BE THERE FOR YOUR CHILDREN WHEN THEY ARE IN SORROW. UNDERSTANDING THE DISEASE IS THE WAY TO MANAGE IT.

IT WAS A PLEASURE TO MEET YOU. I WILL LET DAVIS KNOW WHEN THE SHOW WILL BE ON AIR.

FAMILY? DO YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND?

AFTER THE INTERVIEW ENDS, ROSA WALKS THEM OUT OF THE BUILDING.

BYE ROSA. WAITING FOR YOUR TEXT OR CALL.

I AM CURRENTLY AN INTERN AT THE LAW COURTS. I AM WAITING TO JOIN KENYA SCHOOL OF LAW. I HOPE TO PRACTICE SOON. START A FAMILY AT THE RIGHT TIME.

THANK YOU FOR INVITING US. PEOPLE FROM THE VILLAGE WON’T BELIEVE IT IS ME ON TV! THANK YOU!

3 DAYS LATER, DAVIS TAKES HIS MUM TO BOARD THE BUS BACK HOME.

TAKE CARE SON. VERY PROUD OF YOU. BYE!

HAVE A SAFE TRIP MUM. THANKS FOR COMING. WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN OUR SHOW IS ON TV.

AFTER SEVERAL DAYS, DAVIS RECEIVES A CALL AS HE IS GOING BACK TO THE OFFICE IN THE COURT BUILDING. YES, I JUST GOT HERE. I HAVE 2 CASES TO PREPARE FOR COURT TOMORROW, THEN I LEAVE AT 1 PM.

A FAMILY OF MY OWN. WIFE. 2 CHILDREN.

WHAT DO YOU WISH FOR THE MOST?

THAT SATURDAY, DAVIS HAS A LUNCH DATE WITH HIS LONG TIME FRIEND FARIDA AT TAMU RESTAURANT.

OK…..OK….SO 1.30PM…OK. REALLY?!

SO, TAMU RESTAURANT, 1.30PM? IT’S A DATE!

BUT, I DON’T WANT MY CHILDREN TO INHERIT SICKLE CELL DISEASE…

THAT EVENING AFTER THE NEWS BULLETIN, THEIR SHOW WAS AIRING AND MAMA DAVIS IS WATCHING AT HOME.

THE FOLLOWING DAY, AS DAVIS IS COMING FROM THE GYM, ROSA CALLS WITH SOME EXCITING NEWS!

I WISH I WAS THERE FOR THE INTERVIEW!

SO WHAT WILL YOU DO?

THE WOMAN HAS TO BE NEGATIVE FOR SICKLE CELL DISEASE. ONLY THEN CAN WE HAVE CHILDREN.

THIS IS SO EXCITING KUNTA! I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!

HI ROSA. HOW HAVE YOU BEEN?. FINALLY! I WILL INFORM HER. SHE WILL BE SO EXCITED!

DAVIS IS ALSO WATCHING THE SHOW WITH FARIDA AT HIS HOUSE. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU! THIS IS EXCITING!

YES. I HOPE THIS INSPIRES OTHER PATIENTS WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE TO ALSO HAVE A BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD.

THE END!

sickle cell FACT S Inheritance Genes determine the inherited characteristics parents pass on to their children: height, features, hair colour or eye colour. The different forms of sickle cell disease are determined by the genes inherited from the person‛s parents. Carriers of the gene don‛t have sickle cell disease or exhibit any signs of the disorder, but they can pass the gene for the disease to their children. Many people don‛t know that they are carriers of sickle cell disease. About 4000 children are born with sickle cell disease born in Kenya every year.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Can patients with sickle cell disease get married and have children?

Yes they can. However, genetic screening is advised so as to marry a normal partner as this will ensure their children do not inherit the disease.

Is there a cure for sickle cell disease?

Bone marrow transplant can cure sickle cell disease although the procedure is only applicable to select patients. It is an expensive . procedure not easily accessible. With proper vaccination, a good diet, early diagnosis and treatment of complications and the use of hydroxyurea patients can live a life of good quality

If I am feeling well after taking Hydroxyurea for some time can I stop taking it? .

No, you cannot stop taking the medication unless you are pregnant. Patients who take Hydroxyurea experience less pain when they take it as advised by the doctor

Does sickle cell disease affect pregnancy in any way?

Sickle cell disease does not affect fertility and many young women with sickle cell disease have had successful pregnancy outcomes. Women who become pregnant should talk to their doctor if they are on Hydroxyurea, since female patients need to stop the medication during pregnancy. Women with sickle cell disease should get special prenatal care and frequent checkups to ensure a healthy pregnancy. One should plan to deliver in a well-equipped hospital that offers transfusion and emergency caesarian care if the need arises.

Can I pass on sickle cell disease to my friends?

No, Sickle-cell disease is inherited by children from their parents. You cannot acquire it by sharing food, holding hands or sharing clothing.

Symptoms of SCD – Use the leaflet Prevention – genetic counselling and testing of couples before they get married.

Note: Carriers of the sickle cell gene usually do not have symptoms

Do patients with sickle cell disease have specific dietary needs?

There is no special diet, but it is important to eat a balanced meal and drink plenty of water.

Can I participate in sports?

As a general rule, any sport that is strenuous exercise may trigger pain crises. If one has an enlarged spleen it is advisable to avoid contact sports which may result in injury to the spleen

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Vegetables, Hemoglobin, Jaundice, Malaria, Blood, Transfusion, Water, Trait, Sickle, Fever, Gene, Anemia, Pain