Kenya Aid

SHARE - patterns and donations

2008-11-11T20:53:00.003+11:00

For all those who may be looking for additional information regarding SHARE including how to help and patterns, please visit the Kenya Aid SHARE blog site - http://www.kenyaaidshare.blogspot.com

Thanks for your support!

SHARE - the first sewing soiree

2008-09-29T08:47:00.006+10:00

It's not every day that you find a group of girls willing to give up a much deserved weekend, especially in summer, to help our someone in need. But that's just what happened this Sunday when 9 girls met up for a sewing bee to make fabric pads for 23 girls in rural Kenya.

This was all to do with Kenya Aid's new program - SHARE - that provides sanitary health and reproductive education to women living in remote villages. A large part of the program is providing school age girls with sanitary products. These products help the girls stay at school and also provide a hygienic and safe alternative to traditional methods used to manage menstruation - such as dried cow dung or shared scraps of cloth - that often lead to infection and disease. By providing girls currently enrolled in school with reusable cloth pads we are able to keep attendance rates stable as well as provide an environmentally friendly and sustainable solution to a very real health problem.

Our aim was to have 100 pads by December to supply around 23 girls in rural Kenya with 3 pads each, plus a new pair of underwear for each girl. Thanks to the first group of helpers, who made an amazing 60 pads, we’re well on the way to achieving this goal and even exceeding it, allowing us to make these pads even more widely available to other women in the community.

So I’d like to say a big thanks to our helpers (including our generous host Agnes!), an outstanding group of young women who all got together to give a little of their time to help some girls they’ve never even met. It’s a joy to see that the spirit of giving, empathy and compassion are still alive and kicking, and on behalf of the girls at Musango secondary school – Asante sana!

Find us on Facebook

2008-09-22T09:55:00.002+10:00

To all Kenya Aid supporters - if you're on Facebook please find us and help us spread the word about the great work Kenya Aid does!

You can join the Kenya Aid group (login to your Facebook page and search 'groups' for Kenya Aid, or click here to become a fan of our most recent community aid program, SHARE.

Please share the group and the page with as many of your friends as you can to help us raise funds to finish building the clinic and extend our health programs.

SHARE - will you?

2008-09-20T09:51:00.001+10:00

Some of you will know about the new program we launched this year - SHARE - which is all about providing sanitary health and reproductive education to girls and women in rural areas. Underpinning this program is a major initiative that enables girls aged 13-24 to complete their secondary education - this is The SHARE Project and we really need your help.

Basically, the idea behind The SHARE Project came from a group of girls attending the school who asked us to provide feminine hygiene products to them so that they could stay in school. Unfortunately, when the girls reached puberty they often left school as they did not have access to these items and were forced to stay at home. Some soldiered on using the traditional method of dried cow dung as protection, or shared an old scrap of cloth between them. These solutions were not only imperfect but also caused a rise in fungal and other infections amongst the girls.

After much research we finally found an environmentally viable, economically sustainable and culturally sensitive solution - specially designed reusable cloth pads. Each girl gets 3-4 pads which last at least a year, plus attend free health seminars either at the local clinic (which we are currently building - go to www.kenyaaid.org to see photos) or their school.

So - we need 100 pads by December to roll out the launch of The SHARE Project at a small school in Shikunga, Western Kenya called Musango Secondary School. The girls that attend this school are the poorest of the poor - most have lost their parents, are caring for younger siblings, and many are at high risk of violence, HIV, or extended poverty if they do not complete their education.

To help these girls we need your help. For $20 you can give 3 girls dignity, access to heath education and care, plus the ability to complete their basic education. It's not a large amount but the difference it makes to these girls is huge. We understand that not everyone can donate, but please, share this page, or pass the message on to as many people as you can as spreading the word really helps!

You can donate online via our registered charity secure payment page at http://www.kenyaaid.org/donate.php or please feel free to contact me (ph: 0410 422 512 or e-mail - info@kenyaaid.org) for more information.

Thank you for your support!

Kenya Aid raffle: The winners!

2008-08-11T21:35:00.003+10:00

Thanks to all for participating in this years Kenya Aid raffle. It was an exciting draw (we brought the good saucepan out especially for the event) and the winners are:

3rd prize: $150 Myer gift voucher goes to................
Agnes Gajewska

2nd prize: Samsung 7.1 megapixel camera goes to..................
Don Crameri

1st prize: Panasonic Viera 42" HD TV goes to...................
Les Hodge!!

Well done to the winners - please contact Ryan (go to www.kenyaaid.org for contact details) to pick up your prize.

Thanks again for all your support!

City to Surf: 'Kenya help?'

2008-08-04T10:13:00.004+10:00

As some of you will know, we've been looking for some groups to run in the Sydney City to Surf charity run since Onesmus's infamous debut in last years race.

Everyday Hero is a website dedicated to linking registered charities and average Australians to help people make a difference through their own fundraising projects.

Today on Everyday Hero we found an awesome group of young people who have registered to run in the City to Surf to help raise money for Kenya Aid.

Check out their video below, and don't forget to give them your support by visiting and donating to their page - http://www.everydayhero.com.au/dave_and_justin

We wish 'Team Underdog' the best in their run, and will be there to cheer them on!

Kenya Aid update: Raffle

2008-08-03T16:10:00.003+10:00

Well folks, it's only 7 days until we close this year's Kenya Aid raffle and we'd like to thank all those who brought tickets and those who generously offered to help us sell them (Mr and Mrs Phillips and Mr and Mrs Snaith - aka 'The Parents', Danielle Tan, Mike Pritchett, James Tong, Ryan Snaith and the lovely staff at Nepean Hospital).

If you haven't purchased your ticket it's still not too late - call Ryan on 0402 014 177 to get your numbers before the 9th of August, 2008. The prizes are well worth being in the draw for, with first prize being a 42" Panasonic Viera HD TV.

Winners will be contacted by phone on the 10th and announced both here and on our website.

Good luck!

Kenya Aid fundraising: City to Surf

2008-07-10T15:30:00.002+10:00

Last year some of you may remember Onesmus ran in the legendary Sydney Sun Herald City-to-Surf. Well, it's on again, and since we don't have our Kenyan athlete this year, and the rest of the Kenya Aid team are too unfit to run 14k, we thought we'd put the call out to any happy runners out there who might be keen to do a spot of fundraising!

You can find all the race information here (including maps!) and can register online. The race is held on August 10th so even if you're not running, come along and support all those who are! Make sure you choose Kenya Aid as the charity you would like to fundraise for as well - you can find us listed on Everyday Hero.

If you do intend on running, please post a comment or email us to let us know so we can give you our full support.

Kenya Aid update: flu season

2008-07-01T15:06:00.000+10:00

It's flu season again and with all the sniffles and snuffles on the morning train I can hardly keep from remembering that our friends in Kenya are also going through their own season of unwell, with malaria mosquitoes breeding like crazy this time of year.

Earlier this year Kenya Aid rolled out a mosquito net program providing free and low cost nets to mothers and children under 5. Reports back from MURUDEF have indicated that this program has been a great success, though we've hardly made a dent in the population and need your help to keep supplying nets to pregnant mothers and families.

The nets Kenya Aid provides are treated with insecticide for extra protection and for only a $10 donation you can help a number of families keep safe this flu season. You can donate via our secure page here - http://kenyaaid.org/donate.php - and can pay by credit card or paypal. You can even set up a monthly deduction which will, in the very near future, be tax deductible!

We all know being sick is awful. Getting malaria is worse. So please give generously to help keep Shikunga's families safe from this horrible infection that kills hundreds of thousands of children each year.

News from the field: building progress

2008-06-15T15:28:00.002+10:00

To all those who are interested in the progress of the clinic, we have received word from Onesmus that despite some small incidents with our contractors, Kenya Aid has been able to stick to a reasonable cost for the building and construction is still on target.

Concrete is now being shipped to Shikunga to make slabs for the walls as the foundations have already been set. Another excellent piece of news - the Kenyan government has elected to help with pipes to channel water from the river to the clinic, offering subsidies for this construction. Well done Onesmus for his excellent negotiating skills!

Kenya Aid update: OAGDS status

2008-06-14T15:23:00.000+10:00

While it has been way too long since our last update, it's about time we let you know our most exciting news.

Ryan was contacted on Friday by AusAid regarding Kenya Aids OAGDS status - after our lengthy preparation we have been approved by both AusAid and their independent contractor to receive tax deductibility!

With this major hurdle overcome, we now only need approval from the tax department to be granted full status. It is estimated that this should take another 6-8 weeks.

Well done to the Kenya Aid board members for their time in putting together an outstanding proposal!

Exciting new Kenya Aid website!

2008-05-17T10:57:00.002+10:00

The team at Extro have done an amazing job on revamping the Kenya Aid website. There's a heap of new information about our current and planned projects, plus updated photos and additional facts about where we work. Remember to keep checking back if you're interested in volunteering as our new program will be ready to launch in the next couple of months.

Check it out at www.kenyaaid.org

Kenya Aid update: Clinic registration

2008-05-13T23:25:00.002+10:00

Latest news from the construction site - the new clinic is now registered with the Kenyan Ministry of Health.

Registration was approved after a routine site inspection about two weeks ago - ensuring that the building is up to standard as a health care facility and safe for use.

Thanks to Onesmus for all his hard work to make sure all went smoothly.

Kenya Aid update: Mulgoa Road jazz night

2008-04-27T09:34:00.002+10:00

Big thanks to Dr Sheen and the Mulgoa Road Jazz Band for Friday night's event to raise money for Kenya Aid.

The raffle was a huge success and the night filled with smooth jazz and a family fun talent show. Dr Ryan presented and gave a speech on the evening, with Dr James fielding questions from the crowd.

Congratulations to the winners and all those who supported our malaria program through their generous donations.

Kenya Aid update: photos from the field!

2008-04-21T09:27:00.000+10:00

Finally we have the first photos from the new Kenya Aid clinic construction site! We are all very excited to see the progress that has been made - nice new sign, some serious foundations, and a lot of work being done!

Kenya Aid update: Miss World event

2008-04-14T19:49:00.002+10:00

It's been way too long since the last update, but we had been furiously busy with preparations for the Miss World Australia crowning event where, thanks to the lovely girls who helped us, raised close to $3000 for the new clinic.

A big thanks to all those that helped organise the event - Danielle Tan, Mike, Ryan and James, plus those who helped on the night. Not least Miss Australia 2007 Caroline Pemberton for her lasting support of Kenya Aid.

Thanks also to all who bought raffle tickets and auction items on the night, plus our generous sponsors - Janssen Cosmeticuticals, Australian Wild Escapes and Parade Jewellers.

Last but not least, congratulations to the new Miss World Australia Katie Richardson!

Kenya fast facts: smoking in Kenya

2008-04-02T21:56:00.001+11:00

Now, here's some good news! Smoking has been banned in public places in three of the major cities in Kenya - Nairobi, Mombassa and Nakuru.

Breaking the law could mean a 2000 shilling fine, or jail time... even for international travellers :)

Luckily we weren't caught by the police last time, but rather stopped by a concerned passer by who hurriedly told a shall-remain-nameless doctor to put his cigarette out before he copped a fine.

Said doctor was slightly surprised at the time, but now I have PROOF that this rule is in fact law (see local laws).

It might be one small and rather irrelevant victory for the anti-smoking campaign, but I'll take all I can get! :)

Kenya news: DFAT relaxes travel warnings

2008-04-01T21:47:00.002+11:00

Well here's a good sign that things are on the mend in Kenya - DFAT has recently relaxed its travel warnings to Kenya from 'Reconsider your need to travel' to 'High degree of caution'; pretty much the standard for any travel within Africa.

This is good news for our would be volunteers, excellent news for our return trip this December, and even better news for the Kenyan people who are now returning to some form of stability.

Kenya Aid update: Miss Australia crowning gala

2008-03-29T22:08:00.000+11:00

The Miss Australia crowning gala dinner will be held next Wednesday with monies raised from the raffle and silent auction going directly to Kenya Aid.

If you'd like to have dinner with some a whole bunch of beautiful and talented young women, it's not too late to book a table for this fabulous event... and it's for a good cause!!

Go to www.missworldaustralia.com.au for more details and to book your tickets.

Kenya Aid update: SHARE is launched!

2008-03-27T22:47:00.002+11:00

Check out the new SHARE program from Kenya Aid.

Keep your eyes peeled for updates; this should be an exciting new project, and yet another huge difference in the lives of girls living in rural areas!

Kenya fast facts: Jiggers

2008-03-25T18:57:00.001+11:00

The first time I saw someone infected with jiggers I had no idea what I was looking at. Not being a doctor didn't help much, but my first incredibly uneducated guess was that the guy had elephantiasis - thick swelling of the legs, roughened feet, oh, and indigo blue skin (this was a somewhat baffling result of medication). Having travelled to Kenya as a teacher, I referred the guy to the clinic with money to pay for his treatment and hoped with all my might that they had something there to help him.

When I met the Kenya Aid team I soon learned the full story of jiggers and they're now part of one of my more gruesome nightmares. Gleefully Dr Ryan told me exactly what they were, and I'm going to spread the word in the hope that they can be added to our 'eradication' list to keep the mosquitoes company.

Jiggers, or sand fleas, make a home in your skin. The impregnated female jigger burrows under your finger or toe nails creating pus infected sores and feeds, laying her eggs before dying in your skin and creating further infection.

These little bugs are probably the nastiest things I've seen. The debilitating effects of a jigger attack is not only painful, but can also further the spread of HIV by the sharing of pins/needles to get the little buggers out. The only way to remove jiggers is to kill the flea and then dig it out and when this is done at home in unsterilised conditions, open wounds can lead to ulcers and infection such as gangrene that leaves the victim at great risk.

The Kenya Aid team sees many cases of jiggers each year, caused by lack of hygiene and lack of shoes to protect the patient against attack. Currently we are working on education to prevent attack, as well as treating cases as they occur. Click here to donate and help stop the jigger attack!

Kenya Aid update: Feminine hygiene

2008-03-23T17:57:00.002+11:00

I've always wondered what the girls in Kenya did at 'that time of the month'. I that some sort of protection must be being used, but was horrified to learn earlier this week exactly what was going on.

There are a group of girls at the local secondary school who are struggling. There's no money for feminine hygiene products, and none available in the village anyway, so the girls find what spare material they can and use that so they can get through their day.

Now, the girls out there who are fans of the environmentally friendly option of cloth will argue that using cloth isn't a problem, and can in fact be more healthy and just as convenient as, say, tampons or disposable pads. But there were a few other compounding factors that made this little tale quite upsetting.

First off, the girls don't have ENOUGH cloth, so they share. When one finishes her period, the cloth is passed to another and so on, often without proper cleaning. This give all sorts of diseases great potential to spread, not to mention the logistics of sorting out who gets what cloth, when.

Secondly, there is the issue of storage and cleaning. Water is limited, especially at schools, so that rules out any washing that is required to effectively use cloth pads. Next there is the question of where these cloths can be washed and still allow teenage girls to be discrete about their sexual maturation. A number of relevant studies have showed that many girls in developing countries who are using cloth have a limited supply, and due to modesty constraints, may not allow their cloth to adequately dry in the sun - girls wearing damp cloths are not only uncomfortable, but also at a higher risk for fungal infections.

Lastly, women in western countries who have decided to stick with a cloth option have the luxury of having specifically designed leak free cloth pads available. Girls in developing countries do not, resulting in many a girl being absent from school for up to 9 days per month, or leaving school entirely once reaching sexual maturity. This is a disaster when it comes to achieving gender equality and Millennium goals related increases in global levels of education.

So, with the Kenya Aid boys all being fans of feminine equality and with the help of their token girl, we thought we'd start a new fundraising drive - helping women in Kenya with access to free and low cost feminine hygiene products, education seminars on what to use and how, plus a new project design that will include effective waste management and culturally sensitive options.

More information will be available soon, or if you would like to become involved, please feel free to contact Kenya Aid for more information.

Kenya Aid update: New volunteer program!

2008-03-20T10:00:00.000+11:00

Good news from Kenya Aid headquarters - our volunteer program has now been finalised, and we will shortly make this program available for medical students and staff who are wanting to travel to Kenya for a volunteer term.

We're excited to finally be able to offer this experience, as well as facilitate an increase in the sharing of knowledge between countries. It's will be an exciting program for medical students and professionals alike to gain first hand experience in tropical medicine as well as working independently in a small rural clinic.

There will be more information available on the Kenya Aid website soon, or you can contact us for more information.

Kenya Aid update: Dr Bloch's birthday

2008-03-17T22:14:00.002+11:00

A big thanks to Dr. Bloch and all those who attended his 50th birthday party this year, generously donating to Kenya Aid in lieu of birthday presents.

It was a wonderful night, and guests' generosity extended to provide some valuable feedback on both our website and our programs. We left the evening with new friends, valuable donations, and a whole host of suggestions and tips that will help Kenya Aid now and in the future.

We would like to wish Dr. Bloch and his partners at Holdsworth House all our very best and thank them again for their continued support in 2008.

Kenya news: digital villages

2008-03-13T22:52:00.002+11:00

For anyone that's suffered through Kenya's slow internet, this should provide some relief!

"Kenya firm builds digital villages"