Maradhi (Diseases)
8th June 2023
In Year 3, we have been on a captivating exploration of diseases or Maradhi/Magonjwa as you may refer to them in Kiswahili. While focussing on common diseases like the flu, common cold, malaria, tuberculosis (mafua, malaria, kifua kikuu) and others that affect humanity, the children had an opportunity to research diseases that affected ancient Egyptians. They have been on a journey back in time, unravelling the mysteries of diseases that plagued one of history's most fascinating civilizations.
Ancient Egyptians held health and well-being in high regard, employing various methods to maintain good health and combat diseases. Malaria was a prominent disease in ancient Egypt due to the favourable conditions for mosquitoes to breed along the Nile River. Other common diseases include: tuberculosis and worm infection; kidney stones; snake or scorpion bites; poliomyelitis; leprosy, and plague (kifua kikuu na maambukizi ya minyoo; mawe ya figo; kuumwa na nyoka au nge; polio; ukoma, na tauni).
The children have been immersed in the learning experience, acquiring knowledge of various diseases in Kiswahili. They have practised constructing sentences to express their own illnesses and visits to the doctor and also embarked on an intriguing research project, exploring diseases that impacted the ancient Egyptians.
