In an effort to support and empower underprivileged women with epilepsy, our organisation has provided financial assistance to three women who are facing economic challenges compounded by their medical conditions. We recognize the importance of these women receiving the necessary medical care and support to manage their epilepsy effectively.Through case studies and research, we have identified the specific needs and struggles faced by women with epilepsy.These women often face multiple barriers, including poverty, a lack of access to quality healthcare, education, and employment opportunities, and social stigmatisation. To address these challenges, we gave these women financial capital to help them start up an income-generating activity or business that aligns with their skills and abilities.

The first of the three women who received financial assistance from our organization is Mrs. Juliette Kinyuy, a 40-year-old single mother of two. One of her children, who is 7 years old, has been living with a severe form of epilepsy for the past five years. Mrs. Kinyuy shared with us the challenges she faced in providing proper medical care and support for her child. Her husband and father of her two children left her after their child was diagnosed with epilepsy, leaving her as the sole provider and carer. She expressed her worries about the high cost of medications, doctor visits, and specialized therapies that her child needed but couldn’t afford. She also shared that she had limited job opportunities and struggled to find a stable income to cover these expenses. She hawks with a local food called ‘Koki’, but her earnings were inconsistent and insufficient to meet the medical needs of her child. She also shared her desire to scale up her small food business to generate more income and improve her financial situation.

Recognizing her dedication and the financial hurdles she faced, we provided her with financial assistance to expand her food business and increase her income. With the financial assistance we provided, Mrs. Kinyuy was able to purchase additional supplies for her food business, allowing her to increase production and attract more customers to support her child’s medical expenses.

The second lady who received financial assistance is called Leticia; is a 26-year-old single mother of one who has been living with epilepsy for the past five years and resides in one of the conflict-affected communities of the North West region of Cameroon. Due to her condition, Leticia faced difficulty finding stable employment and supporting herself financially. Living in a rural area with limited job opportunities, she struggled to access the necessary healthcare and medications for her epilepsy. She shared her story with us, expressing her frustration and worries about not being able to afford the essential medical treatment she needed to manage her condition. She was interested in hairdressing, but she didn’t have the necessary funds to pay for a hairstyling course and tools. Understanding Leticia’s aspirations and needs, we provided her with financial assistance to enrol in a hairstyling course and purchase the necessary tools. This will not only enable her to pursue a career in hairdressing but also provide her with a source of income to support herself and afford the medical care she needs. At the end of her training, we will also support Leticia in setting up her own small hairdressing salon, providing her with further financial assistance to purchase the necessary equipment and supplies.
The third beneficiary of our financial aid is a woman named Elena, who is in her early 30s and also lives with epilepsy in a rural community in the South West region of Cameroon. Through a local community outreach program that one of our volunteers was in charge of, we learned about Elena’s situation. Elena shared with us the difficulties she faced due to her epilepsy. She struggled to find stable employment as many employers were hesitant to hire her due to misconceptions and stigmas surrounding epilepsy. As a result, Elena faced financial hardships and had trouble affording her medications and accessing proper healthcare.
She had skills in dressmaking but lacked the resources to start her own business. Recognizing Elena’s potential and the barriers she faced, we provided her with financial assistance to start her own dressmaking business. With the financial assistance we provided, Elena was able to purchase fabrics, and other necessary supplies. This enabled her to start her dressmaking business and secure a stable income.

These financial interventions have had a significant impact on the lives of these women. Furthermore, it increases their chances of visiting a doctor and getting in-time medical treatment, all of which reduce their vulnerability to the negative consequences of epilepsy.