By PHARES MUTEMBEI
When little boys and girls get sick, they become weak and lack necessary energy to go to school or play. Nowadays, one of the diseases that is affecting children is diabetes. Just like other diseases, it prevents the body from functioning properly. It also interferes with good growth.
Unfortunately, Kenya has 25,000 children living with diabetes. Doctors blame the rise of disease on eating excess sugary or fatty foods, which makes a child overweight.
If a child has diabetes, she or he will be constantly tired, always thirsty, weak and will start getting thin.
This calls for need to educate them. In fact, tens of children living with diabetes met in Nairobi recently, for an educational retreat. For three days, the children were educated on the right foods to eat, how to exercise and how to teach other children and people about the symptoms.
The camp was organised by Safaricom Foundation and Kenya Diabetes Management and Information Centre.
Mr Les Baillie, the chairman of Safaricom Foundation, said it was important for children to learn about self medication.
“These children are ambassadors in the fight against diabetes,” he said.
Susan Mumbua, 12, a Class Five pupil at Blessed Brain Academy, Kangundi, says that her condition has not stopped her from studying hard or engaging in fun activities.
“Children who have diabetes should be given medicine. Luckily, some of us get medication but there are others who don’t,” says Mumbua.
“I am a good swimmer,” she adds.
Fedis Wambui, 11, another diabetic child adds that children should not be ashamed because they are diabetic since it can be managed with medication.
