Maseno University blood donation drive: Saving a life



The BloodLink tent ready for donors at graduation square.



The Maseno University community participated in blood donation drive to help curb shortage of the precious liquid in the country. The 20^th and 21^st event at the varsity graduation square helped produce 155 pints of blood, 41 less in the last semester’s drive.

The drive was facilitated by Bloodlink foundation partnering with Kenya Blood Transfusion Services in universities and tertiary colleges in the Western region of the country. The varsity Red Cross chapter provided volunteers and mobilized donors.

The pints collected will aid patients in Nyanza, Western and part of Rift Valley provinces.



“Although the pints felt short to the anticipated 300 units, we appreciate the students for their positive turnout even though there were no incentives like t-shirts” said Beatrice Wango, Bloodlink foundation assistant officer.

Ms Wango observed the fear of students knowing their status and lack of confidentiality although blood donation doesn’t include VCT services.

Most of the students who turned up told Equator Weekly that the need to help save someone’s life prompted the act of charity. The blood collected will help accident victims, pregnant mothers in labour, anaemic and surgery patients amongst others.



“What made me donate blood today is the thought of a pregnant mother in labour needing urgent blood transfusion” said Jean Viva, a 2nd year Special education student. Miss. Viva is a sixth-time donor whose friend’s mother died due to lack of blood after an accident.

Buxton Chavani, a 3rd year environmental science student, who was a first time donor urged others to help save lives. “There is no negative effect in donating because it is healthy and saves the patient in need” he said.

The donors benefited by knowing their blood group and being healthier because of replication of blood cells. Socially, it brings about  the feeling of being a hero through  helping someone in need too have a chance to live.



The need  for a blood bank was initiated after the 1998 bomb blast which caused  an acute blood shortage in the country. The Kenyan government and the US aid the bank has grown with the region having six donation centers where blood is labeled in groups and sorted.

“we make a living in life by what we have but make life by what we give, that is why we are mandated to collected blood from voluntary donors.’ Said Albert Onyango, the regional blood recruiter.





According to Mr. Onyango, the region offers only 60% of blood needed due to  the unpredictability of donors and financial constraints. Although the varsity drive will help reach the target of 25,000 units.



“We appreciate the students who turned up today. Those who didn’t come need to find time to donate blood and help others in need” said Sylevester Odero the current chairman of Kenya Red Cross Maseno University chapter.

Brendah Kibulo co-authored this post published on Equator Weekly

Parents: Teach Children Christianity with Love

I was born with a bible on the table- growing in a Christian home meant that I had unlimited access to liturgical literature to read and hymnals. From a tender age mother kept us tidy in Saturday morning for church. With strict parental supervision I, together with my age mates rarely missed church.

But, looking back that was long ago, as I got older with the power of making my own decisions I realize the I, with a score of my age mates rarely go to church unless for special occasions like wedding. Looking at the contrast manifested over time made me question: does Christianity with a rod spoil a child?

The thought nagged me during church service recently. A group of children came to the podium to perform for us. Their sweet voices cut through the rapt audience as they recited memory verses, poems and songs. As the congregation was carried away I saw myself as a boy in the innocence of their cherubic faces and beautiful clothes.

To most the first lesson of Christianity is of an overbearing God, aloof in heaven busy writing down all our transgression in his big book. Christianity is thus taught not with love, but ‘forceful coercion’. The culmination is on judgment day when we’ll be brought to account and ashamed before everyone.

Additionally, although these children don’t do as they are told they are adept at emulating their parents’ behaviors of being Christians as a means to an end. Let’s consider when a child is born; both parents in joy attend the dedication. Once given to God they will seek the pastor to pray for the child in national primary examinations.

Alternatively, God will be sought again at secondary level, graduation and later in case of unemployment. As they will grow they learn that Christianity is just a last resort, a by the way!

The effect to the child? In boarding schools away from parental control God’s existence and authority will be questioned. The first morsel of personal authority away from parental guidance is used in rebellion.

The erstwhile world is contrasted with a new one where immorality is, sadly, revered. Later in colleges and universities as young adults they are easily swallowed in the whirlpool of decadence.

Immediately I think of my childhood friend Joab Oyugi and a college friend Peter Ng’ang’a, both their fathers are church ministers who ensured they had a strict Christian upbringing.

I met Joab, whom we grew up with in the same church, while covering a court beat as a volunteer reporter. Together with others he was sentenced for 14 years when the court found him guilty of violent robbery and rape. Sitting at the press gallery it pained me to witness a good story of a Christian with a very a sad ending.

In the second case, Peter never misses college binges where he drinks often, but back home with his father he becomes an epitome of Christianity. The paradox is that even at home when drunk he opts to shack with friends and relatives till he sobers up before going back home.

A trend which he tells me is taken by his three elder brothers.

We relate to the two cases as parents, children and youth growing up in a world with rampant crime, unemployment, drug abuse and immorality. In this world religion should be a shield and not a burden.

As we sojourn on the vast sea of life to our destiny Christianity, or any other religion, practiced with love and not forced coercion should a campus.

As our children need to mature into responsible and God loving adults, Christianity need to be taught with love for God himself created us with love and wants us to realize our potential and fulfill our lives.

Before him we are an empty pitcher on a fountain to be filled and made useful.

Personally I have realized a truth: God is there for us to call and lean on and not to run away from and hide on fear!

Click here: Syndicated online at Relijournal