The country’s first test tube baby marked a major milestone on Thursday when she enrolled in school, joining other children in hide-and-seek games and reading the first four letters of the alphabet.

With a small bag on her back and only a pencil in it, Eunice (not her real name) marked her third birthday on Friday as she sang songs with other children.

Her mother, Faith (not her real name) could not hide her joy as she spoke at their home in Buru Buru Estate.

“I never thought I would see my baby go to school and get to bid her farewell like other women do with their children,” she said. “Her father takes her to school every morning. He wants to be sure she is safe.”

Faith said the evening after Eunice’s memorable first day in baby class, they switched off the television and discussed nothing but Eunice’s day at school.

“She did not learn anything, but I wanted to hear what they did for the day, her new friends and what she wants to be when she grows up,” Faith said.

Asked why she is going to school, Eunice said, “to be clever and have fun.”

Dr Joshua Noreh, who helped Faith conceive Eunice through in-vitro fertilisation, was happy at the news of her starting baby class.

“What has happened is a strong indication that IVF babies are just like any other babies; they all go through the normal milestones of life.”

Clinic

Speaking at his clinic at the Nairobi IVF Centre, Dr Noreh said so far they have delivered 116 test tube babies.

“More than 30 of these children will be going to baby class like Eunice by the end of next year,” he added.

And, as Eunice starts her school life, the world’s first test tube baby, Louise Brown, turns 31 on July 25. Ms Brown delivered a naturally conceived baby in December 2006.

Despite the stigma attached to issues of infertility and assisted reproduction, Faith plans to have a second baby through IVF, saying she has saved a substantial amount of the Sh300,000 it cost her the first time.

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