Imagine relocating to an unknown land and finding yourself in a classroom at the age of 40, studying a course so far out of your comfort zone in a profession you never even considered undertaking.
This is what Watamu-born Janet M. Doya experienced about 15 years ago.
Her journey began when her son was born with cerebral palsy. “I really wanted to try and understand his condition and see how I could help him,” Janet explained in an interview with Chams Media. “We therefore decided as a family that it would be better for me to go to school and learn about the condition,” she said.
That was how she found herself in a physiotherapy classroom, a 40-year-old adult trying her best to hold her own in a crowd of 18–to 20-year-olds.
Janet acknowledges the general lack of awareness about her profession. According to her, physiotherapy entails providing physical care to patients in need of rehabilitation, such as stroke patients and those with low back pain. In addition to taking painkillers, such patients often need physical treatment to either regain mobility or prevent disabilities.
Predictably, Janet’s educational journey was extensive. “I did my course in Physiotherapy, starting with a diploma,” she recounted. “I then enrolled for a degree, pursued a Master’s, and recently completed my PhD. The motivation was mainly from my son, but with time I realized, okay, it can’t be just about my son,” she said.
This realization, coupled with urging from her family, led Janet to start her own private clinic.
Starting a clinic
Janet’s clinic is based in Lusaka, Zambia, in an area called Woodlands. “We run a rehabilitation clinic whereby we look after patients with physical disabilities and those who may be having mobility problems,” she explained.
The clinic’s name holds a special meaning. “Our clinic is called 5Js Wellness and Rehabilitation Services. The five Js stem from my family. All of us have a J name: we have Jackson, Jerry, Jesse, Janet (me), and Jimmy, the special needs boy,” she said.
Through her hard work and dedication, Janet has been able to establish multiple clinics across Lusaka and currently has a team of 10 highly skilled, highly motivated individuals. “At the moment, this is our main clinic, and we are partnering with three different hospitals where we are providing services for their clients at their hospitals,” she explained.
The services offered are extensive, covering stroke management from the ICU to post-discharge rehabilitation. “We are happy to report that most of our patients regain their mobility,” Janet said.
They also treat common conditions like low back pain, cervical spondylosis, and lumbar spondylosis, which are prevalent among the working class who spend long hours sitting in front of computers.
Children remain at the core of their mission. “Children are the heart of this business because it was founded because of our son,” she shared. They look after many children with delayed milestones, often due to congenital conditions.
The clinic is well-equipped with a variety of tools, including a traction bed for degenerative conditions and a tilting bed to help stroke patients stand and promote blood flow.
Overcoming Challenges
Janet is candid about the difficulties of running her business.
“Starting up wasn’t easy,” she admits, citing finances and the high cost of licenses and work permits for a foreigner as significant challenges. However, for her, the clinic is more of a passion and a calling than a money-making venture.
She is grateful for the support systems in Zambia, including her “awesome” and hardworking staff members and their partners, who have allowed the business to grow.
Originally from Watamu, Kenya, Janet moved to Zambia when her husband was posted there for work. She appreciates the Zambian ecosystem that has provided a conducive environment for her to flourish. “One thing about Zambia, the people are friendly… life is much better,” she reflects. “The people around make it easy because they accept foreigners, and they are quite helpful.”
Looking back, she is filled with gratitude for the path her life has taken. “I wouldn’t live my life better than I have lived it here, and I wouldn’t give anything. I’m extremely satisfied,” she said. The birth of her son, Jimmy, was a pivotal moment that redefined her family’s journey. “I think God was speaking, and this is how it is, and we accept it fully.”
Her advice to others in similar situations is: “When God gives you lemons, don’t start complaining about the lemon being bitter; make it into a lemonade and drink. You must not give up, and you must never say this is it, this is unfinished. No, it is the beginning of a new journey. We took our situation positively, and no wonder we have this story to tell.”