The Imani Project is a vision of hope, faith and inspiration; a demonstration of what a small group of dedicated people across the world can accomplish to mobilize against HIV/AIDS. Imani is translated “faith” in Kiswahili. The project is a partnership between Americans and Africans based on cultural understanding and mutual respect.
The co-founders of the Imani Project are Marlene Anderson of Portland, Oregon and Francis Kahindi Mwaduna of Masheheni, Kenya. The Imani Project was designed and implemented by African people in a rural village on the Eastern coast of Kenya. The need for such a project was staggering; no one had ever been to the rural villages outside Malindi, Kenya to talk with villagers about HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. Fear, caused by lack of education and awareness has exacerbated the spread of HIV/AIDS throughout the villages at an alarming rate. The people are so poor they are primarily concerned with food resources and sanitation issues (clean drinking water) rather than the enormous threat posed by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. They have none or very little money, and are unable to access HIV/AIDS resources in the larger town or cities. Many villagers do not speak or read English, as it has only been in the last two years that Primary Education (grades 1-8) has been free to all Kenyan children.
After many months of planning on both sides of the world, The Kenya Imani Project was registered with the Kenyan Department of Social Services in December 2004. It is a CBO, or Community Based Organization. The certificate number is SS/MLD/CD/2/3328/2004. In January 2005, the American Imani Project became part of the non-profit Community Information Center, and in November 2007 The Imani Project became an independent 501C3.
The Imani Project is a grassroots effort based on the concepts of
community and connection. Marlene Anderson has traveled to Kenya for
the past seven years. She has worked closely with African villagers to
develop programs that are economically and environmentally
sustainable. The goal of the Imani Project is to enable Africans to
become educators, caregivers and advocates so that HIV/AIDS awareness
and prevention information will continue to spread throughout the
rural villages.
Fall 2008 Update
- Marlene Anderson, Imani Project Director, and six volunteers traveled to the coastal villages in Kenya during the month of July to work side by side with Imani Project volunteers. Heartfelt thanks to Holly Campbell from Portland Oregon, Lizzie Hammond and Dena Dickinson from southern California, Earline Anderson from Snoqualmie Washington, Sharon So from Sydney Australia, and Katie Brantley from Denver Colorado. This year not only did we accomplish a great deal of direct service, but opened two new projects; a Posho Mill and the Orphan Distribution Centre.
- Classes on awareness, prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS were taught to children at Ngandu Primary, Marikebuni Primary, Mwangatini Primary, Burangi Primary, Kaembeni primary, Manziwani Primary, Majahazini Primary and Midodoni Primary. Classes were taught to Classes 6, 7 and 8 (compares to 6th, 7th and 8th grades). Handouts were given out with pictures as well as explanations in both Swahili and English. Students are often older since they have dropped out to help with younger siblings, farming or shepherding. These children are the most educated members in their families, and were encouraged to go home and share information with parents and other relatives. Kenya passed legislation five years ago stating all children are entitled to a free primary education (K-8). Secondary education is also free, however there are still major costs associated with books, uniforms, and boarding. Many families are now sending their children to school, and as a result many schools are severely overcrowded and there is a grave shortage of qualified teachers.
- American Imani Project Volunteers brought HIV/AIDS saliva tests to be used in testing children and adults for the virus. The results are quite amazing. A quick swab of the upper and lower gum line, a dip in solution for 20 minutes and you have a 98% accurate reading of HIV status. In villages where the Imani Project has been presenting classes in schools and village centers the death rate from HIV/AIDS has been reduced by 80%.
- Medical clinics were held in the villages of Majahazina, Sabaki, Mwangatini, Burangi and Kaembeni . Holly Campbell, Lizzie Hammond and Dena Dickenson provided medical care and treatment to over 300 villagers. They worked side by side with Imani Project Volunteers who have been trained as Community Health Workers. Our nurses were able to give us valuable feedback about the medical clinics which we will use in planning medical services next July.
- A Support Group for those villagers with a positive HIV status was planned and implemented. The group will meet once a month. Each HIV+ group member was given a female goat. This generous donation was made by Nancy Caitlin and family. The Imani project is sending volunteers and members of the HIV+ Support Group to a Nutrition training at Malindi district hospital. They will then be given enriched flour to distribute to support group members, as well as be able to teach HIV+ Support Group members and Imani Project Volunteers advanced nutritional information.
- The Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Distribution Center was officially opened. The Center is in Musifini village, which is centrally located among the surrounding communities. Families fostering HIV/AIDS orphans and other vulnerable children are able to pick up needed supplies at the distribution center. Phenny Musika, village Orphan Coordinator is to be congratulated on organizing this tremendous addition to the Imani Project Orphan Sponsorship program.
- We visited villagers living with full blown AIDS in their homes. The Imani Project provided those villagers and their caregivers with CAREKITS, as well as referrals and funding for antiretroviral assessment and treatment. What we now see in the villages are people who wait to start taking antiretrovirals until their health is so compromised, they may die. We saw only three people this July who were very ill with AIDS.
- The official long awaited official opening of the Posho Mill was great cause for celebration. The Posho Mill grinds corn kernals into maize flour, which is the staple of the African diet. “The Kehoe Family Posho Mill” was made possible by a generous donation by Mike and Lorri Kehoe of Lake Oswego, Oregon. The mill will be used to grind flour for Imani Project volunteers and families fostering HIV/AIDS orphans, as well as the surrounding community which includes 8-10 villages.
- Sharon So, a young woman from Sydney, Australia is doing a 6 month Internship with the Imani Project. Sharon is a student of the University of Western Sydney located in Bankstown, a Sydney suburb. She is currently in her last year of a Bachelor of Community Welfare - International Social Development. We are especially pleased that Sharon has joined us this year, and we hope to accommodate more students who are interested in doing internships in the future. Sharon is focusing her work on developing community and project development through key community connections and networking and advocating for education and health care services in the rural villages. She is also very interested in other areas including sanitation and personal hygiene and the importance of HIV/AIDS and nutrition.
- An event was held at the Imani Project office for both sponsored orphans and those children still waiting for sponsors. All children received gifts as well as any items sent by their sponsor. Letters from sponsors were read to the children by Imani Project Volunteers. In addition to photographs, current informtheir fostering family (if applicable) was collected.
- For more information about volunteer opportunities, please call Marlene Anderson, Imani Project Director at 503 349-2596.
All itineraries and travel arrangements are through Benson Mugambi of Ben's Ecological Safaris and Tours.
Accommodations may be arranged through Rodger Karabu at Sabaki River Camp and Cottage.