Philippa Kibugu-Decuir is singlehandedly changing the face of breast cancer and women’s healthcare in Rwanda. Philippa Kibugu-Decuir is not only educating one woman at a time—one village at a time—but she’s educating the doctors and nurses of Rwanda as well.
In 2007 doctors in Rwanda hadn’t heard the words breast cancer, and there were no oncologists. Now, thanks to Philippa’s efforts, there are two.
After her sister, Mabel died in Rwanda in 1986 of metastatic breast cancer, and Philippa survived her own diagnosis in 1994, she decided all women deserved the same healthcare opportunities she’d received.
“My sister represents so many African women,” said Philippa. “My doctors in Houston, Texas, told me I survived breast cancer because of early detection and treatment. Why should where you live make a difference whether you live or die? I had to do something.”
Women are the backbone of African society. When a woman gets sick, the entire family is in dire need. When Philippa discovered two sisters in Rwanda—both with breast cancer—were sharing the precious chemotherapy meant for just one sister, Philippa sold her personal computer and used the money to help the family. She also sold her beautiful, traditional Rwandan dresses at a special auction and used the money to make her first outreach trip to Rwanda. It was the beginning of Philippa’s extraordinary movement which has since become the Breast Cancer Initiative East Africa, Inc. (BCIEA), a 501(c)3 organization she founded in 2008.
On her first trip to Rwanda, Philippa did a small survey of 10 doctors to see how much they knew. “Only two, out of 10, had heard of breast cancer or were even interested,” said Philippa.
Philippa spoke with members of the Rwandan Parliament, the Minister of Health and the First Lady of Rwanda. “I prayed, ‘Lord, God, please… I don’t know what I’m doing. Please go before me.’”
Through a friend, Philippa started in Rwanda with 27 women who’d had their breasts cutoff. One had the wrong breast cutoff and was sent home without any pain medicine.
“There was a medical conference for Eastern Central Africa with 250 doctors in attendance who’d never heard of breast cancer. It was sponsored by Doctors Without Borders. We were able to talk about breast self-exams, mammograms, pap smears, and then those doctors went from one hospital to another. The next year we hosted our own breast cancer conference. We’re getting to be known.”
Philippa has created a mobile phone App with breast cancer, self-exam and other health information. “My goal is to train one ambassador in each of Rwanda’s 15,000 villages; give her a smartphone, the App and a translated book and have her teach the women in her village. I’m fighting breast cancer with one smartphone per village.”
“In 2001 we had our first Ulinzi walk to raise awareness. Three hundred people showed up, and we had doctor’s giving information. Our next walk is October 22nd.”
Philippa Kibugu Decuir—a former special education and English teacher for 28 years with a Master’s in Education—and BCIEA has directly impacted and educated close to 10,000 women in Rwanda. She’s also expanded her work to include educating the African residents and refugees in Houston.
“What I need most is money. I want empowered women. Even if you’re sick, you’ll know you’ve done everything you can instead of sitting until your breast is rotten and your husband and children don’t want to see you.”
PS: Philippa and I have been friends since 2011. I think the world of this woman and her mission. I’m also on her Board of Directors. Should any of you have funding or resource ideas, please contact me.
14 Comments
I have always been grateful that you introduced me to Philippa and her astounding work. Thank you for this additional background!
I knew you would appreciate her. xoxox, Brenda
Thank you for this glimpse into another world many of us know very little about. I am truly grateful for our medical system here after reading this – the women of Africa have such a long way to go before they can achieve any type of equality. To imagine two women having to share one dose of chemo – that is beyond sad. I am sharing this post.
Thank you, Alana, for sharing this. The medical treatment and living conditions in Rwanda are beyond anything we can imagine. The things Philippa has seen would emotionally devastate most of us and yet, they inspire her to make an ever greater difference. Brenda
She is doing amazing work. Than you for introducing us to her. xo
Thank you, Jen.
What an inspirational woman doing such valuable work.
Pat, If I were to nominate someone for sainthood, it would be Philippa. In my limited blog space, there is so much I didn’t have room to tell you. Thank you for reading, Brenda
Thank you for introducing me to Philippa and her incredible work. What an inspiring woman and what a good reminder of how lucky I am to have access to so many things that women in other parts of the world don’t even know exist. Essie xx
Essie, Philippa is nothing short of a true force of nature. She inspires us to be better, more compassionate people. xoxox, Brenda
What a beautiful story! And what an amazing woman Philippa is. When women move forward, the
world moves with them! She is a moving force in Africa.
Susan, I think I mentioned Philippa when we met a number of weeks ago. She’s an example of how much one woman can do. Just think about the impact she’ll have on future generations of Rwandan families. xoxox, Brenda
Glad the ‘revulsion’ of the men was mentioned. As a girl in the 60’s a friend’s mom got breast cancer, prettiest woman in the neighborhood, and her husband one of the wealthiest.
Before leaving the hospital her husband served her divorce papers, changed every lock on the house.
Her daughters the same age as sister/me. And, our playmates.
Made a huge impact on me, about men. Remember, I was not yet 10 years old.
Apples/oranges to the African ‘men’, but the effect so similar.
Philippa’s story humbling. And thrilling.
XOT
Hi Tara,
Not all, but some men can be such selfish bastards, can’t they? They’re ruled by their little brains, plus most weren’t raised to be caregivers. They don’t have a clue.
What a terrible impression your neighbor’s plight must have made on you! I can only hope that karma came back and got the husband. The US stats on husbands leaving wives after breast cancer diagnosis is shocking! You may or may not want to read this piece I wrote. “Women Dying Alone.” https://1010parkplace.com/women-dying-alone/#comments_wrapper xoxox, Brenda