TESTIMONIALS
Yolanda RamosEmpowering African Immigrants, Refugees and other underserved communities
TESTIMONIALS OF LIVES TOUCHED!
Over the years, Uhai for Health Inc. has touched thousands of individuals both here in Massachusetts and in Kenya. There are hundreds of testimonials of individuals and families impacted by our services including screening for chronic illnesses and training healthcare workers in Kenya to providing connecting our community to resources including healthcare, behavioral, Education and social services.
“I thank God I am not where I
was, today I am registered
Nurse and graduating as a
nurse practitioner next year.”
Homeless, pregnant and Suicidal.
“I met Jane Kimani when l found myself in a situation that women find themselves in and needing help and support. I found myself pregnant, homeless and a two-year-old on my back after fleeing a domestic violence situation. I was so scared, lost and even contemplated suicide. I ended up in a domestic violence shelter in Worcester and that’s when Jane path and mine crossed. I still remember one of the ladies who worked at the shelter coming in for her shift one evening and telling me about this awesome Kenyan lady who helps a lot of women from Africa who had found themselves in my situation. She gave me Jane’s number and asked me to call her. I was so petrified of anyone Kenyan that as soon as l walked out of her office, l threw the phone number in the trash. This lady kept asking me to call Jane and she informed me that Jane was concerned and was asking about me. I finally decided to call the number and immediately Jane planned to come and visit me and my son at the shelter.
Jane picked us up and took us to her house. Cooked for us, prayed with us and by then l was almost delivering my baby and had no baby supplies. Jane quickly arranged a baby shower for me and l was shocked that l received everything l needed for the baby. On top of that, l got almost 2,000 dollars in cash, and clothes for myself and my son. When the day came for me to have the baby, Jane went to the labor room with me, prayed for me, held my hands and stayed with me until l delivered. On top of that Jane took my 2-year-old son home with her and stayed with him until l was strong enough to take care of him. To think that this was a stranger and how much she had gone out of her way to support me left me baffled. Fast forward to when God finally shone His face on me and gave me a place to stay. Jane took time off her job to drive me almost 2 hours out to my new home. I thank God for Jane for allowing Him to use her.
I thank God l am not where l was. Today l am a registered Nurse and graduating as a Nurse Practitioner next year and I am so grateful to Jane taking me in supporting me and just allowing me to know that l deserved to live and l credit my success today to Jane and a few other people who believed in me and played the part they did in my life.”
Alice N.
Pregnancy Loss and School Support
“I had 2 miscarriages earlier and was having a difficult pregnancy where the doctors informed me that the baby would need surgery after birth. In the last trimester, I went for a regular checkup and was told the heart was no longer beating. I had lost the pregnancy at 28 weeks. In my desperation, Jane heard about it and came to talk to my husband and I. She provided us with the resources, places and people that were available to offer help and walk us through the grieving process. Months later, she followed up in the house to check on how we were doing and prayed with us.
We were finally blessed with a child that needed intervention in school. Jane provided tips on things we should be requesting from the schools and what we should be on the lookout for. This improved my conversations with the doctors and teachers and a better experience for my child. When my elderly parents needed assistance with the medical system, she also pointed out ways we should navigate the system and where we should go for help.
MOST OF ALL, YOU MADE ME FEEL VALUED… I was trying to put on a very bold face when everything around me was falling apart. While mourning a major loss, a betrayal and feeling dismissed from the community, I did not know how I could be significant to anybody. I walked into the store while you were buying supplies for the UHAI dinner, and you invited me to join you to help prepare for the event. I said I did not have a babysitter, but you said it was OK to bring my child with me. Showing that I was still valuable when others dismissed me… That was life-giving. Thank you for being there for me and others in similar or worse situations.”
Su-kate M.
“Most of All, You made me feel valued.”
The pain of losing a child to the system.
“When my wife was very sick, as a refugee family with no family members here in Worcester, we felt very lost. Jane Kimani and Uhai were there for me. She arranged care for my wife and supported her until she got well. We were comfortable because she understood our culture and could speak Swahili. A few years later, my family got involved with the Department of Children and Families (DCF), my family was devastated and depressed especially because we had not done anything wrong. Jane Kimani came and met with my son’s doctor and explained to her the misunderstanding and also met with our lawyer at his office. She helped us fill all the paperwork that we needed, and she also comforted my wife who was going through such a difficult time. Jane Kimani advocated for us and we were able to win the case, and we had our son back home. We are thankful for Jane standing with us and taking her time from work to help us.”
Claude, A.
“Advocated for us and we were able to win the case and we had our son back home”
Alcoholism and Homelessness
“I met Jane Kimani while I was still an active alcoholic We really got off on the wrong foot because I didn’t want to hear what she had to say. After sobering up Jane took me under her wing and honestly started my recovery journey with nothing but motherly love.
Fast forward, Uhai and I have worked hand in hand in trying to help the community in various issues affecting us from talking to teens to figuring out how to help struggling active addicts the list has been endless.
I cannot forget neither can my family how Jane Kimani was there for us when my nephew a 21-year-old university student died by suicide two years ago. The dedication and love Jane showed during that difficult time will forever be remembered and we as a family will always be indebted to her.”
Anthony K. Ras Anto
“After Sobering up, Jane took me under her wing and honestly started my recovery journey with nothing but motherly love.”
“Today, I am a postmaster in the United States Postal Office.”
Pregnant, Lost and Alone.
“I was new in the country from Ghana and miles away from family and friends. I was pregnant and things were not going well. Stressed out, everything failing and about to give up; I cried out to God and He send me Jane Kimani whom I call my angel. She held my hand and supported me through my pregnancy journey. Jane gave me the social support I needed; she encouraged me through my journey where I was able to find myself again. I started believing in myself. Today, I am a Postmaster in the United States Postal Services, it has been more than 9 years, and Jane and I keep in touch.”
Rebecca D.
“I feel like I do not belong at home with my African parents and I do not belong at school with my American friends.”
Mentoring Young People
“When I arrived in US from Kenya together with my family, I did not know where to start, Jane Kimani sheltered me and she mentored me. She assisted me in applying for a job, taught me how to write a resume and helped me apply for college. Today I have a place for me and my family to stay, and I also have secured a job and it’s just because of her assistance and mentorship. I truly appreciate her invaluable support from the bottom of my heart. From the time I met her, she has always lent a helping hand to me in difficult situations. Her advice, suggestions, and mentorship have helped me overcome many of my problems.”
Elvis T.
Hospitalized Again After Delivery of My Baby
I came to U.S. around the time of hurricane Katrina and all my luggage went mission upon arrival at the airport, I was left only with my pocketbook, I didn’t have any clothes to change. My host then had just finished an accelerated nursing program that meant she didn’t have enough savings and wasn’t working much. Upon hearing this unlike others, Jane brought me clothes and I was so touched with the kind gesture. I later got my luggage after one month most of them ruined as they had been mistakenly taken to hurricane Katrina survivors. Jane continued to be my guardian angel, she could give me a ride to and from the CNA School. She could at times take me to her house and cook and as I expected other visitors only to find I was her only visitor. This made me feel valued as then people had ‘classes’ and jobs and didn’t seem to care much about newcomers to this country. Jane continued to support and encourage me to pursue school and in 2 years I was able to complete a diploma in nursing. Later in life I got married and after delivery of my daughter; Jane was God sent and as I got discharged we met Jane already outside our house with grocery ready to cook some food at the same time offering moral support. After a few days I had complications and was hospitalized for another week Jane was always there and so supportive and would come stay with our few days old baby so that my husband would come and be with me in the hospital. I still remember the photo of my baby that she sent me while I was in the hospital. That was so reassuring that she was in good hands. I still remember how she could also do my baby’s laundry. I was so touched by her kindness. She continued to support us for months and eased our hard time until we were stable. I’m forever humbled and thankful to Jane and to Uhai for Health.
Anne M.
Social Support and Navigating Mental Health
System
When my son become sick, I did not know where to start in navigating the system. As a parent I was worried and felt lost. Jane Kimani and Uhai for Health Inc. stepped in and assisted my son and I. Jane was available answering every phone call I made needing help and resources. She even accompanied me to the discharge meeting where my son was admitted and helped me ask the right questions. She took time to talk to my son encouraging him on his new struggle. She assisted us with applying for the health insurance and referral for specialized care. She has continued following up with us and we are very blessed to have her on our side. You are truly a blessing from God Jane. I cannot thank you enough for being there of me. God bless you always. Lucy M.
Special Need Children and Medical Needs
Since our 2 kids got diagnosed with PKU, a rare disorder in year 2016, Jane has been such a blessing to my family. We are glad she appreciate our unique and challenging circumstances of taking care of children living with special needs where mandatory prescriptions are out of our reach, yet their very availability means everything to the health and survivor of our children and our peace as parents. We particularly THANK YOU for the Phenyl free Formula and the Diapers.
James Kabindu.
