The turn out today was simply incredible as hundreds and thousands showed up at The Mombasa Sports Club,the venue of the event, to participate in this noble charity event that aims at raising funds to help those with heart conditions especially pediatrics to get the surgeries needed for them to lead normal lives or at least near normal lives. The annual event also took place at The Nyayo Stadium (Nairobi),The Kenyatta Stadium (Machakos) and Mumias Sports Complex (Mumias).
The M.C was Michel Otieno aka Dj. Lenium of Baraka Fm and on the decks was Spincycle’s very own popular charismatic and entertaining deejay, Dj. Bonez who kept the crowd alive with his great skills. He also managed to pose for some photos with some of the leaders of Mombasa who came out to show their support.
The Coast leaders in attendance included the Senator Hon. Hassan Sarai Omar whose performance among Senators in the whole country has been excellent and the Mvita M.P Hon Abdulswamad Nassir among other leaders. Mombasa County Youth Initiative members also attended and were very vibrant as they carried their banner high. Mombasa County Youth Initiative is the mother of Mocoyo Investment Limited and is made up of at least 30 like minded individuals pooling funds together so that the same can be channeled towards meaningful and viable investments. One of the members of this group is the Pwani artist King Sting who’s latest single called ‘Nipe Nipone’ is getting massive airplay.
The Mater Hospital first embraced the Pediatric Cardiac Program in 1994 after it relocated from Gertrude Gardens Children’s Hospital. Initially the local doctors only diagnosed and performed relatively minor surgeries, referring the bulk of the work overseas. In 1995 when the doctors did their first ‘closed’ heart surgery at The Mater: The program has grown from 20 open hearts annually to 200 cases a year.
To date since 1996, more than 2,500 children have been treated either by surgery or interventional cardiac catheterization by the Mater Cardiac Program. The majority are Kenyan children; however children from Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Malawi and Zambia have also been treated.
The Mater Heart Run helps raise funds for the needy as cardiac operations are very expensive and most parents are unable to raise the funds for their children. The sponsors including Nairobi and Mombasa city counties,media houses like the Standard Media Group and Baraka Fm,Banks like Chase Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Insurance Companies including Old Mutual and Jubilee insurance,Supermarkets including Nakumatt Supermarket among other many companies and organizations not mentioned here have contributed enormously throughout the years in the success of this positive initiative. The other great sponsor is the common mwananchi who spares some amount to give to the needy and back to the community. It is truly devastating to have a child with a heart condition and not be able to help them. However with the help of all of us we can help each other as children are our future,the future of Kenya and the future of the whole world.
You can support the cause in touching a child’s heart by purchasing Mater Heart Run merchandise, coming soon to a Nakumatt and Galitos store near you. You can also contribute by donating to their MPESA Paybill 526300 Account No: HeartRun.
I am proud of my city Mombasa for hosting and participating in such events and for making a huge difference in a child’s life. Please visit their website for more details and information on their future events.
Written/Compiled by: Harriet Mukana
Photos Courtesy of Omondi Wa Mercedese and David Pyper
PWANI ALIVE 