BURIANI JULIANA.

BURIANI JULIANA.

Life has to end, love doesn’t

By Jeremiah Ongili

“Death ends a life, not a relationship.

JOOTRH has lost one of its heroines, Nurse Juliana Simbe Okandi, creating a sad and emotional environment. This environment could not prevent JOOTRH from holding their last ceremony in the honor of their heroine.

The body arrived at JOOTRH from PAG church at 11.30 a.m.  The ceremony is presided by Bishop Betty Onyango, master of ceremony who opens with a word of prayer before inviting the audience. JOOTRH choir takes the stage with the song ‘ it is well with my soul’.

An elder from Kenyaree SDA church follows with a word of prayer before reading from the book of Isaiah 40:1-5.

The master of the ceremony then welcomes one of the cousins of the late Juliana, Phillip Ariyo, who is allowed to welcome the other family members present of the late heroine. The testimonials are given with each person telling his or her experience or moment they had with the late heroine Juliana Simbe.

Phillip says they lived with Julian from she was 2 years until she reached form three.

“We used to call her Ich because she was a loving girl and very observant,” Phillip added.

Lilian who is Juliana’s cousin days that she found Juliana living in their house when they were young and grew up with her knowing she was her sister and not her Cousin.

The family testimonials session being over, it was time for the JOOTRH staff to give their tributes to their heroine who worked together with them.

“We started working at JOOTRH in December and did our orientation together with Juliana,” said Irene. Irene added that Juliana was known as a hardworking and God-fearing person and God will truly reward her as He gives her a nice place for her soul to rest in Peace.

Mrs. Susan Nyambune says that they would always go to church together with Juliana.

“Juliana has been good and hardworking till the day she left us. I am now letting Juliana go and meet her maker,” she added.

Mrs. Lydia Otaro a representative of MCH, “We have lost a friend and a colleague. At this sorrowful time, we should only carry our burdens to Jesus Christ. Juliana worked at the outpatient desk where patients always land first before proceeding to receive hospital services. She could sometimes carry traditional foods like potatoes which we enjoyed together. She was honest, well groomed, and time conscious. She always comforted me at my worst times. I will miss you, Juliana.”

Mr. Molly Oloo a representative from Kisumu County Referral Hospital (KCRH,  welfare), ” Juliana was an active member of the welfare and did good work.”

Mr. Collins from NNAK representative recounted, “ We worked with Juliana in 2001. We were facing a lot of hardship but we survived. Juliana stood firm and very honest in whatever she did or say. She taught me how to relax and avoid too much pressure. I can say she was one of the toughest women so far.”

Mrs. Trizah Okwiri, Director Nursing JOOTRH  narrated  “I have worked in JOOTRH for more than 2 years and Juliana was one of the nurses we were with. She could not miss work under any given circumstances, She was very dedicated to her work.” She said “ We started worrying when Juliana could not show up to work. The first time we went to check on her at her place she was able to open the door and we found her weak.” She added.

She was taken to the hospital and she recovered. The second time when she failed to come to work, a few of the staff were accompanied by the police In case she couldn’t open the door so that they break in. “ We found her very weak compared to last time, we rushed her here at JOOTRH but unfortunately she passed away as we couldn’t do anything further to save her. It is sad for JOOTRH to lose such a heroine. God is the giver and also the take of life. May her soul rest in eternal peace.” Mrs. Okwiri said.

Mr. Alex Ochieng director of Finance and administrator noted that Juliana was a lady who could never miss work. Let us be on duty and close to each other just like Juliana. Her file remained clean with no cases of indiscipline.”

Dr. George Rae, the CEO of JOOTRH said that a day like this is for remembrance and saying goodbye to our departed nurse Juliana.

“It is sad to everyone because tomorrow we bury her and come the next day she will no more because her body will be at a place where it cannot be seen or touched anymore.” He said

“We will miss her smile, jokes, and even behaviors, she may be gone but she has left others happy and alive as a result of her services. We learn a lesson from Juliana’s life which, is we should live a good life with others so that when we are gone we leave behind a positive image of ourselves to them.” Dr. Rae continued.

He said that it’s important to remember the Lord’s Prayer in every stage of our lives. Try to build a good legacy that you will be remembered with. Love the Lord you God with all your heart. We will miss Juliana and may she go in Peace.

Mr. Oden a representative of the County, gave his condolences. “It is a sad moment for the team to have lost such a loving nurse, we need to look back at our lives in that what are we doing today that will make us be remembered when we are no longer breathing.” He said  

Mr. Odeny also said that it is two months and we have already lost two nurses from JOOTRH. It would be hard to find nurses with the same skills and attitudes as the two amazing nurses. May their souls rest in eternal peace.

After the testimonials, the master of ceremony invited the MCH staff to place what they called ‘Taji’, net on the coffin before it could be open for viewing of the body. The staff matched forward with the ‘Taji’ and placed it on the coffin which was then opened for viewing.

After the viewing, the master of ceremony closed with a word of prayer and the cortege left JOOTRH.

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