After Losing Her Entire Family, Joyce Ong'ombe Fights for Recovery in India

Joyce Ong'ombe, a Kenyan educator and deaconess, is currently undergoing extensive medical treatment at Fortis Hospital in India for severe burns sustained in a tragic accident on December 31, 2024. 

As she battles through painful skin grafting procedures, the escalating cost of her care, estimated to require an additional Sh6.5 to Sh7 million, threatens to impede her recovery. A fundraiser is scheduled for today, June 5, at Nairobi Central Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church, as her community rallies to support her ongoing treatment.

The incident, a boiler explosion in a Mombasa apartment, resulted in critical burns for both Joyce and her daughter, Georgina. Despite medical interventions at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Georgina, a Form Three student at Alliance Girls High School, succumbed to her injuries on January 14. Georgina was buried in Migori County, where her father and siblings, lost in a 2010 flash flood, rest.

The loss of her daughter compounded Joyce's already devastating history. In 2010, she experienced her first profound tragedy when flash floods in Suswa swept away her husband and two other children, leaving her to raise Georgina as a single parent. Joyce found purpose in her work as a mathematics and accounting teacher before transitioning to entrepreneurship in the clothing business.

Joyce's current medical journey in India involves meticulous skin grafting procedures aimed at replacing damaged tissue. According to Joyce, the unpredictable nature of burn recovery presents ongoing challenges, with wounds showing initial promise only to be setback by infections. 

"One day, a wound appears to be healing well; the next, an infection sets in, requiring the entire process to restart," she explains.

The pain management regimen requires heavy doses of painkillers, which leave Joyce to navigate intervals of relief and discomfort. Medical professionals remain cautiously optimistic about her eventual discharge, but acknowledge that the road to recovery will be prolonged and arduous.

Her faith as a deaconess at the SDA Church in Lavington anchors Joyce through her ordeal. She has often cited biblical figures such as Job, who was stripped of everything before ultimately being restored. This has bolstered her spiritual resilience. 

"People always ask why tragedies happen, but sometimes, they are simply opportunities for God's word to be manifested through endurance," she remarks, drawing parallels to Job's narrative.

The financial strain of Joyce's medical care is significant. Initial funds raised for both Joyce and Georgina's treatment, totaling approximately Sh13.7 million, have been largely exhausted. A substantial portion of these funds was utilized in Kenya before she was transferred to India, while current medical expenses have already exceeded Sh5.5 million.

The renewed fundraising efforts are being spearheaded by individuals deeply connected to Joyce, including her former schoolmate, Marren Anot, who emphasizes her contributions to the Asumbi Girls alumni network. 

"She has always supported others. Now, it's our turn to stand with her," Anot says.

Contributions to Joyce's medical fund have come from various sources, including the Seventh-day Adventist Church, traders from Gikomba market, and alumni networks from Alliance and Asumbi Girls. However, Joyce has also faced online insensitivity, with some individuals using social media to spread cruel and discouraging messages.

Despite these challenges, Joyce remains focused on the positive support she receives. Reflecting on healthcare disparities, she acknowledges the efforts of medical professionals at KNH but highlighted systemic challenges within Kenya's medical infrastructure, particularly the nurse-to-patient ratio, which can result in delayed care. She contrasts this with her experience in India, where she notes meticulous attention to patient comfort as a contributing factor to her progress.

Currently in a controlled, air-conditioned environment conducive to her damaged skin, Joyce continues to undergo procedures and relies on prayer to sustain her through the pain.