IMANI PROJECT FALL UPDATE 2010

• Marlene Anderson, Imani Project Director and four volunteers traveled to the coastal villages in Kenya during the month of June to work side by side with Imani Project volunteers. This year we did medical clinics in four remote villages; Kaembeni, Ngandu, Sabaki and Misufini. Congratulations to our great medical team of Dr. Amy Earhart of Portland, Oregon, Nurse Diane Garding and her husband Phil from North Bend, Washington, and Wound Care Specialist Earline Anderson of Issaquah, Washington. Because of their dedication and commitment we were able to see over 700 patients.
• The medical team gave out over 600 kits for diarrheal illness (which kills more children in Africa than any other illness) that included directions in Kiswahili and a measuring spoon for making Oral Rehydration Solution, along with a regimen of Zinc tablets (Zinc has been proven to shorten the length of the diarrheal episode). We used a small group format for giving villagers the information and kits which proved very successful.
• The medical team also gave out over 600 First Aid Kits containing a washcloth, tweezers, bandages, triple antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream and a splinter remover. The idea is to prevent small bites or cuts from becoming infected wounds. We held a training for all Imani Project Volunteers and gave each person the two kits and instructions on how to use them. (Also a preventative strategy as the Imani Project Volunteers will go on teaching villagers about diarrheal disease and wound care year around).
• We held an “Sponsored Orphan Day” at the Imani Project office. All orphans were given gifts and we spent time talking to each child and their fostering family. We filled out an Orphan Update Form on each child for their sponsors. It was really exciting to see the kids faces light up when they got their gifts, and it's wonderful to see them year after year growing healthy and strong.
• We attended an HIV+ support group in Masheheni village (where the Imani Project office is located). About ten men and women attended the group. Francis Kahindi, Chairman of the Kenyan Imani Project talked about HIV/AIDS and sexuality; the importance of being very careful not to infect others and always using condoms. The members of the group were given mosquito nets, condoms and four 2 kilogram bags of flour.
• In collaboration with the Kenya Red Cross, a HIV+ support group was planned and organized for a group of women who live in Sabaki. The group meeting was very successful; the women were given condoms, diarrheal kits and flour. Jane, one of the Kenyan Imani Project Volunteers went over the information in the diarrhea kits (the lesson was in Kiswahili). Francis talked with the women about joining the Masheheni support group as it has more resources and funding.
• An HIV/AIDS class was taught in Sabaki. Approximately 90 women and 35 men attended the classes (which were held separately). Again, the lessons were taught in Kiswahili so everyone could understand. All were given HIV/AIDS handouts, condoms and flour. All excess medical supplies were evenly divided among five villages; Kaembeni, Majahazini, Ngandu, the Imani Project dispensary, and Burangi. Community Health Workers from each of the villages personally picked up the supplies. Included in these supplies were HIV/AIDS saliva test kits.
• The District Health Officer, who was with us everyday in the clinics, did 74 HIV/AIDS tests and only three were positive. The stigma of HIV/AIDS is becoming less as more and more people agree to be tested, and more villagers who are HIV+ are attending support groups.
• An agreement was reached with the Lindsay Project, an Irish NGO that gives goats and chickens to villagers. They also train villagers to take good care of the animals and to keep them healthy. The Imani Project is going to receive l5 goats and 250 chickens from the Lindsay project over the next year. The Imani Project is slowly making connections with other NGO's in the area, and will greatly benefit from these connections in the future in terms of sustainability.
• For more information about volunteer opportunities please call Marlene Anderson, Imani Project Director at 503-349-2596.