Community Members Speak — Individuals, Health Professionals and Partners
In response to WiRED International’s 25 years of work bringing health and medical information to low-resource areas around the world, many people have written testimonials. The following contains a sampling of remarks from individuals, health professionals and partners.
From Individuals
“My name is James Mwangi. I am 29 years old and I am living with HIV. Throughout my school life, I never had access to detailed information about HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. My parents never discussed sex with my siblings and me. At home everyone was afraid of me after I learned I was infected with the virus. They set separate utensils and a washing basin for me. I felt stigmatized and became very traumatized.
WiRED International, through other organizations in Kenya and elsewhere, have put up many community health information centers. I attended several outreach sessions about positive living with HIV/AIDS. If there had been centers where people could freely access information on health including HIV/AIDS and even STDs before I became infected with HIV, then perhaps I wouldn’t have become infected.” —James Mwangi, resident, Kenya
“After I finished my secondary studies, it was such a relief to hear that there were WiRED health modules I could study on the computer — and that I could study for free!” —Hillary Fiona Owuor, young adult, Kenya
“I would like to thank WiRED for this program, which helped me study so many diseases I didn’t know about that affect our lives. So my fellow teenagers, I urge you to join this program because it will change your life.” —Merceline Achieng, teenager, Kenya
“I was very curious to learn about WiRED when my friend said two words: ‘health education.’ Health is a serious predicament in my community, which most residents ignore. They don’t know they are leading dangerous lives.” —Daniel Odhiambo Ogolollo, teenager, Kenya
“WiRED, I want to thank you for guiding me in the correct path, and starting now I will brush my teeth in that way.” —Young girl learning about dental care, Armenia
“Information is no longer a luxury for the rich. I don’t have to Google or blame everything on my superstition. All I have to do is access WiRED programs. I am in a better position to take care of my family and my unborn child.” —Brenda Akoth, mother, Kenya
“WiRED International has empowered me with knowledge, and I can confidently say I am able to handle any situation, any disease, outbreak or disaster in Obunga.” —Denis Onyango, HIV-positive widower, father of three, Kenya
“Through WiRED I realized that it is possible to live a positive life after getting infected with HIV virus and it is possible to prevent the child from being infected by the mother.” —Lavender Amondi, student, Kenya
From Health Professionals
“WiRED International has given us a very resourceful information center and the Internet site connections to make it possible for us to obtain medical literature that was otherwise out of our reach. Of all the people who promised us ‘the wonderland,’ you are the only one who really delivered us one.” —Safwan A. Taha, M.D., Iraq
“I was taught during my medical training that patient education was at the top of the to-do list. Accordingly, the WIRED program of health education modules was a natural means for me to pass basic medical knowledge to the Armenian public.” —Dr. Ara Nahabedian, doctor, Armenia
“What I have learned from WiRED has enabled me to give critical information to pregnant mothers about HIV and AIDS and how to prevent mother to child transmission. Also, there are many malnourished children in the slums of Kisumu who have benefitted from the knowledge I received from WiRED.” —Alice Olwino, nurse, Kenya
“The children were impressed with the WiRED training on dental hygiene and asked many questions, which was very exciting. After our discussion they promised to brush their teeth the way they were taught today and to follow good dental hygiene.” —Satine Manukyan, nurse, Armenia
“In Haiti where I volunteer, educational materials are always a precious resource. The staff seemed surprised that the WiRED modules were free, and a couple of medical residents copied the entire flash drive onto their computers.” —Yen-Len Tang, M.D.
“People here in Kenya need WiRED’s support. Please continue educating the public about health and continue visiting schools so that we can stay healthy for upcoming generations. Your work is helping us, and I am proof.” —Aaron Masiga, Nurse’s Aide, Kenya
WiRED Partners
“The association of Project Amazonas with Wired International has been highly productive for us. The Spanish-language health modules and the computer and AV equipment provided by WiRED allow us to take health education to where the people are — the isolated river-side communities of the many tributaries of the Amazon. People are especially receptive to audiovisual materials, which we can now use in local schools, meeting rooms and even in open-air nighttime venues. Lack of electricity is no hindrance with the solar chargers and batteries. The WiRED modules will be a core element of our boat- and land-based rural medical service expeditions, allowing us to effectively integrate education and treatment in the Amazon.” —Dr. Devon Graham, Director Project Amazonas, Peru
“Aiding the disadvantaged and the deprived individuals and communities is a privilege that we all possess, and I am pleased to be in a position to assist people in need. Thanks to WiRED programs — in this case basic knowledge about good health practices — people can make major strides to improve their lives and the lives of their children.” —Sebouh Baghdoyan, Director, WiRED-Armenia