Written by Maureen Onyango, CFK Africa Communications & Advocacy Lead.
For Elizabeth, a mother living in Gatwekera village in Kibera, the birth of her twins felt nothing short of miraculous. While receiving antenatal care at CFK Africa’s Tabitha Maternity Home (TMH), nurses informed her that one of the babies was in a breech position and the other was lying low. It was a delicate situation.
“One child was already sitting in a breech position, and the other was lying low. Because of that, the nurses had explained to me that I was most likely going to have to deliver in a surgical theater,” she said.
CFK Africa staff explained everything clearly and prepared her for the likely possibility of a referral to a higher-level facility for delivery. “We were ready to go to the theater,” Elizabeth recalled.
That morning began like any other. “I woke up early, and before seven o’clock, I started feeling strange. My head was light,” she said. “I told my friend that I wasn’t feeling well, and she advised me to rest for a bit. As time passed, the feeling grew stronger. Around five or six in the evening, I noticed something unusual. I thought maybe it was just water, but then I realized it wasn’t, and I knew I was about to give birth. That’s when my friend told me, ‘You should go to the hospital right away.’”
Elizabeth headed to the place she trusted the most. When she arrived at Tabitha Maternity Home, the CFK Africa team acted quickly. “The nurses helped me immediately. I thank God for that,” she said. “There were four people on duty, and they quickly got me a bed.”
Despite the complications, Elizabeth was able to deliver safely at TMH. “God was with me, and the nurses gave me so much care and confidence,” she said, smiling. “I am so grateful that I didn’t have to have an operation.”
Twins are not new in Elizabeth’s family line, so she wasn’t surprised when the antenatal ultrasounds confirmed she was expecting two, growing her family to four children. Still, she considers their safe delivery a blessing. “I call them my miracles,” she said softly. “Everything could have gone differently, but I’m here, and they’re healthy.”
Elizabeth continues to attend follow-up appointments and is grateful for the ongoing support she receives from TMH; the check-ins, breastfeeding guidance, and immunization reminders for her twins.
Antenatal care is critical for expectant mothers. Regular checkups not only help monitor the baby’s health but also prepare mothers for possible risks early. In Elizabeth’s case, knowing the position of her twins and seeing professionals trained to respond swiftly and safely in complex situations was lifesaving.
At Tabitha Maternity Home, every delivery, routine or complicated, is handled with compassion, expertise, and readiness. The nurses’ quick thinking and coordination ensured Elizabeth’s safe delivery without unnecessary delay or panic. For many mothers in Kibera and neighboring communities, CFK Africa’s TMH is a trusted space where care feels both professional and personal.
As Elizabeth puts it, “They treated me with love, and they made me feel safe. That’s something every mother deserves.”
Support maternal and child health for mothers in slums like Elizabeth with a donation to CFK Africa.