Free Wigs Put Smile on Faces of Kenyan Cancer Patients
2020-11-16
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1Mary Nafula learned she had cancer a year ago.
2She survived the cancer treatment, but her hair fell out.
3The hair loss made the mother of three feel unprotected and weak.
4Nafula found help at a beauty salon in Nairobi.
5Women go to salons for haircuts and beauty treatments.
6But this business in Kenya's capital offers other products.
7It gave Nafula a wig to cover her head.
8The wig replaces the natural hair she lost during the treatment.
9Nafula describes her new feelings of confidence in herself.
10"We can embrace all the challenges that accompany us, knowing that we are going to heal," she says.
11The World Health Organization says cancer is the third-leading cause of death in Kenya.
12Cancer deaths are rising - from 37,000 reported cases in 2012 to almost 48,000 currently.
13Doctor Gladwell Kiarie is a cancer specialist at The Nairobi Hospital.
14She says the rise in cancer deaths is probably a result of lifestyle changes and more testing for cancer.
15"We are smoking more. We are taking alcohol more," Kiarie said.
16"Our traditional diets have changed, and we no longer eat the traditional food that we used to. We have more fatty foods. We have less water and greens in our foods, more processed food."
17Kenya's government has launched information campaigns and opened more testing centers across the country.
18But most Kenyans do not have enough money for treatment.
19Nafula said she was lucky enough to be able to pay for her cancer treatment.
20She says she is happy to have a wig and to be free from criticism on the streets and in the public transport vehicles called "matatus."
21Nafula described being very sick and trying to ride in a matatu.
22She was told "You should not enter the matatu because cancer can infect us." Nafula added, "I felt so bad."
23Diana Akech is the owner of the beauty salon where Nafula got her wig.
24Akech started doing beauty makeovers five years ago after a friend got cancer.
25The friend lost her hair, but Akech gave her a wig.
26Akech said she put the story on social media and starting hearing from many people.
27"Let me say my friend gave me the willpower to keep doing this... She's in heaven right now and I am sure she's very proud of what I'm doing."
28The wigs cost around $250 each and are paid for by hospitals and businesses.
29Recovering from cancer can be long and painful.
30A wig can reduce the pain and show patients that they are not alone.
31I'm John Russell.
1Mary Nafula learned she had cancer a year ago. She survived the cancer treatment, but her hair fell out. The hair loss made the mother of three feel unprotected and weak. 2Nafula found help at a beauty salon in Nairobi. Women go to salons for haircuts and beauty treatments. But this business in Kenya's capital offers other products. It gave Nafula a wig to cover her head. The wig replaces the natural hair she lost during the treatment. 3Nafula describes her new feelings of confidence in herself. "We can embrace all the challenges that accompany us, knowing that we are going to heal," she says. 4The World Health Organization says cancer is the third-leading cause of death in Kenya. Cancer deaths are rising - from 37,000 reported cases in 2012 to almost 48,000 currently. 5Doctor Gladwell Kiarie is a cancer specialist at The Nairobi Hospital. She says the rise in cancer deaths is probably a result of lifestyle changes and more testing for cancer. 6"We are smoking more. We are taking alcohol more," Kiarie said. "Our traditional diets have changed, and we no longer eat the traditional food that we used to. We have more fatty foods. We have less water and greens in our foods, more processed food." 7Kenya's government has launched information campaigns and opened more testing centers across the country. But most Kenyans do not have enough money for treatment. 8Nafula said she was lucky enough to be able to pay for her cancer treatment. She says she is happy to have a wig and to be free from criticism on the streets and in the public transport vehicles called "matatus." 9Nafula described being very sick and trying to ride in a matatu. She was told "You should not enter the matatu because cancer can infect us." Nafula added, "I felt so bad." 10Diana Akech is the owner of the beauty salon where Nafula got her wig. Akech started doing beauty makeovers five years ago after a friend got cancer. The friend lost her hair, but Akech gave her a wig. 11Akech said she put the story on social media and starting hearing from many people. "Let me say my friend gave me the willpower to keep doing this... She's in heaven right now and I am sure she's very proud of what I'm doing." 12The wigs cost around $250 each and are paid for by hospitals and businesses. 13Recovering from cancer can be long and painful. A wig can reduce the pain and show patients that they are not alone. 14I'm John Russell. 15Ruud Elmendorp reported this story for VOANews.com. John Russell adapted his report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. 16_____________________________________________________________ 17Words in This Story 18salon - n. a business specializing in hair care, beauty products and services 19confidence - n. belief in one's self; a feeling that one will act in the right way 20embrace - v. to accept (something or someone) readily 21challenge - n. a major test or problem; an invitation to compete in an event 22accompany - v. to go somewhere with (someone) 23lifestyle - n. the normal way of life of an individual or group 24heaven - n. a place in many religious traditions where God lives, and where good people go after they die 25proud - adj. a feeling of deep satisfaction in one's own qualities or possessions 26We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.