Expecting to have their firstborn, Habanabashaka and Florence got three |
After getting
the news she was pregnant, newly wed 23 year old Mukamana Florence and her
husband 25 year old Habanabashaka Jean Damaciene of Akaboti Cell, Kansi Sector
in Gisagara District begun the long wait for of their firstborn, but little did they know they would instead have
three babies.
The couple gave
birth to three bouncing baby boys about two months ago from the University
Teaching Hospital (CHUB) in Huye district where Florence underwent a C-section
operation to deliver her three.
The young
father and mother share the joy they felt for their triple bundle of blessing
(as is customary in Rwandan culture to refer to a child as Umugisha –blessing from God).
But with their
inexperience, meager means, and the overwhelming task that comes with having
three little ones to cater for at ago, Habanabashaka and wife are now already
against the ropes.
Since the birth
of the couple’s children, Rwanda Red Cross local committee in Gisagara
mobilised volunteers in the area to visit this family and supported them in
every means that was at their disposal.
Among others,
they bought clothes for the little ones and their mother, cleared farming land
to help Habanabashaka cultivate enough food for his family and constructed a
vegetable garden (kitchen garden) for the family to help provide food
supplements for the young mother so she can get enough breast milk for her
three babies.
For parents, it
is easy to appreciate that even caring for one infant in itself is no easy
responsibility; sleepless nights of tending to their needs, skyrocketing
expenditures on this and that among many others are all familiar images.
But how about three
little ones at one single time literally translating into x3 each of the
psychological and financial requirements of parenthood?
But the
demanding nature of parenthood in Habanabashaka and Florence's case is
exacerbated by not only having triplets but also that they were originally both
orphaned children who are trying to rebuild their lives and with little avenues
to turn to for help.
Habanabashaka
for instance was one of the 15,000 Orphaned and other vulnerable Children in
the Southern Province who benefited from a Rwanda Red Cross implemented OVC
Program that ran for ten years until last year, and although he had appreciably
made strides in improving his living conditions, he is not capable of meeting
the needs of his three little ones.
For instance,
he admits, affording milk to supplement breast milk for the babies is already becoming
tough.
On some rough
days, the mother sorrowfully warms water and serves her little ones.
The parents
surely need help as Rwanda Red Cross Coordinator in Gisagara, Robert Muyenzi
confirms.
“Our volunteers
have helped in various ways so far, but the needs of this young family remain enormous.
We are trying to solicit help from different partners thus are also appealing
to all to help these young parents to enjoy their little bundles of blessings.”
Despite the challenges that it spells, Habanabashaka and Florence
continue to celebrate and thank God for their triple blessing.
Rwanda Red Cross Volunteers clear farming land for Hanabashaka's family, and plant a vegetable garden to supplement in meeting particularly Florence's food needs |
No comments:
Post a Comment