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Our Health, Water and HIV/AIDS projects are part-funded by Irish Aid. |
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Harambee 2007 Harambee 2007 was a huge success with all teams completing many tasks between June and August. The weather was a common theme throughout the project as the long rains lasted longer this year, and so made transport of materials and people much more difficult. However the team worked hard in partnership with local communities to achieve all aims. The project was located in 3 main locations - Londiani which covered the villages of Lelsothet, Masita and Kapianga; Benditai and Ndubusat. There were many tasks completed during the 3 month project. These are outlined below: Water Projects Community water tanks were constructed in the villages of Lelsothet, Masita, Kapinaga, and Benditai. In total 36 tanks have been installed. The idea of these tanks is that they serve several households in the area. One tank may serve up to 5 households depending on its location. In all villages the community decided where the tanks should be located (based on suitable roofs, area etc). Members of the Harambee Team worked with the community through all aspects of the project. The project was supervised by two local men from Lelsothet who had previously worked with the Harambee 2005 project. In Ndubusat there is a gravity water system from the nearby Tinderet Forest to the village. This was constructed in 2005 by FOL working with the local water committee. To date 75 households are on the water scheme with plans for expansion. During Harambee '07 permission was finally granted by the Victoria Basin Water Board to construct a dam and some resevoir tanks along this water scheme. Work began on these in August and will continue for the remainder of the year. A Bore Hole was constructed in the grounds of the Bethel Children's Home. This is the start of a project in which we aim to supply water to the home, the primary school, and secondary school nearby. Peer Education During Harambee 2007 more than 800 men and women from all three project locations graduated from the Lifeskills Peer Education course. This course was run by members of the Harambee '07 team working with local trainers. The Irish Trainers were trained during the previous 8 months in Ireland. This course covers subjects such as values, gender, STI's, HIV/AIDs, and this year a new module on Maternal Health was added in for all particpants. The idea behind the course is that particpants take what they have learned and pass it onto those in their family and villages. Several trainers also graduated which will allow the education to continue into the future. Medical/Health Project A medical project was run in Londiani and in Ndubusat during Harambee '07. It covered many areas. A Child Assessment of all the children in the Bethel Children's Home. This happened in June, and in total 67 children were assessed by the medical team. Several trainings were run in the area of Maternal Health. These were given at different levels in each community.
The Ndubusat Medical Clinic has been in operation now for a number of years, but this July saw the opening of the Maternity Unit of the Clinic. The first baby born in the unit was Patrick Kipchumba. This unit will provide an important service to the community of Ndubusast and beyond. A lot of work was also done in training the staff of the clinic, and putting systems in place to assist the operation of the clinic. Our medical team worked alongside the clinic staff during the project. Research was done on “Birth Preparedness in rural Kenya: A situational analysis”. The aim is to explore birth preparedness from the perspective of both the health service providers and the indigenous women regarding the current maternal and newborn healthcare and support and traditional practices in Londiani Public Health Field Days Friends of Londiani in partnership with the Ministry of Health ran 5 Public Health Field Days during Harambee '07. The purpose of these days was to provide education and awareness in several health areas:
The Field Days were hugely successful with over 5,000 people attending in total from the different areas. They provided education in preventive health issues for everyone involved, as well as a cultural experience for all the members of the Harambee '07 team. Summer Camp Summer Camps were run in August for children in Londiani and in Ndubusat. The Londiani camp invited children from Benditai to participate for 2 days. The Summer Camps involved activities in all areas - sports, arts & crafts, drama, music, games, and singing. In Ndubusat over 500 children attended for 5 days, and in Londiani there was 70 children. Great fun was had by all in both sites! Health Clubs & Variety Shows During June and July several schools in the project areas were visited by members of the Harambee '07 teams. They ran classes on HIV/AIDS, Nutrition, Hygiene and Malaria. Each school was then invited to participate in a Variety Show on August 11th. The performance was to incorporate a theme based on the 4 themes of the Health Clubs. In August a variety show was held in Londiani and in Ndubusat. 7 schools attended the Londiani show, and 11 schools attended the Ndubusat show. All performances were fantastic and enjoyed by all who participated and the audiences. Maintenance of Bethel Childrens Home The Bethel Childrens Home is home to 69 children from the age of 1 month to 22 years. During the month of August the Harambee Team together with the older children in the home worked on painting and repairing the children's dorms. It was a big job! Great fun was had drawing murals on the smaller children's house, fixing light fittings, putting in new mattresses etc. A special ceremony took place to open the children's house. Work was also done on constructing a path to the dining hall. Due to the terrible weather conditions the grounds have become very swamped and difficult to get around on by the children. Building Several building projects took place during Harambee '07. In June work began on building a community centre in Lelsothet village. This centre will serve the communities of many villages - Masita, Lelsothet and Kapianga. It will have a kitchen, main hall, store and an office. Work is now continuing on the roof, and it is due for completion soon. In Ndubusat work began in July on building 2 classrooms for the secondary school as well as completing the secondary school dormitory. Due to the bad roads and weather conditions getting materials to the hill was a major challenge. But the community worked night and day to ensure the materials reached there. It is a major achievement for all concerned. In July work began on building 2 new classrooms for the Benditai primary school. Again the roads and weather played havoc with progress. The classrooms are now at roof level, and we hope that they will be completed soon. Painting Several painting projects were completed during Harambee '07. In June and August the Bethel Primary School was painted - all classrooms, and dining hall. In July the Ndubusat Bethel Medical Clinic was painted, particularly the new maternity unit. In August lots of painting was done in Bethel and in Ndubusat the Primary School was painted. The classrooms of the Primary School were completed during Harambee '05. A mural was painted in the maternity unit in August. Literacy Literacy programmes were run in Londiani and Benditai during June and July. In June 12 Literacy Trainers graduated and are running local literacy groups in their villages. In July a lot of literacy programmes were run in Benditai - both with adults and children. The highlight was a 92 year old man who wrote his name for the first time! Computers In June help was given to the local computer teacher in running courses. In August courses were run in Bethel for the local people. Thank You Friends of Londiani would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who helped make Harambee '07 the success it was - Firstly to the volunteers who gave up their time and energy to be part of the team, and who worked hard throughout the project. Secondly to the local communities who worked hard before, during and after the project to ensure its success. Thirdly to all of you who supported the project in any way - through supporting the volunteers, through fundraising or contributing in any way. Your support, and help is very much appreciated. "Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world; In fact it is the only thing that ever has." Daily Harambee Updates from Kenya If you would like to receive more information on Harambee 2007 please contact Friends of Londiani 9 Cois Cuain, Mosestown, Whitegate, Co. Cork ; Telephone: 021/4662730 or email info@friendsoflondiani.com |
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For comments or questions please contact: © 2009 Friends of Londiani, Ireland |