March 2023 Visit to Nairobi

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 Rotarians Mona and Alan Fox flew to Nairobi to renew acquaintances with our local contacts and witness firsthand how the projects, initiated by Eganville Rotary, are benefiting the Mukuru Community. It has been 11 years since our club first started our support there.  One of our first projects was to help get the Imara Healthcare Centre accredited to government National Health standards.  Through the years structural renovations to the building were made.  Operating room and Neo-natal equipment was purchased and community health workers were trained.  It was noted during their visit, just how busy Imara has become, especially in maternal care. During their short visit, there were two caesarian sections, one breach birth and two standard deliveries.  The centre now has five qualified midwives and a staff of 19.  They have the services of 2 or 3 on-call doctors when required.  Imara Healthcare Centre has become the primary healthcare facility in the Mukuru Slum community.
 
Two visits were made to the Siloam Kware School where Eganville Rotary has introduced a Menstrual Health Management (MHM) program and an anti bullying program called “Say No Be Counted” (SBNC),  adapted especially for Siloam.  During the first visit, discussions were held with the headmaster and headmistress.  A new National Curriculum being introduced next year was discussed.  In response to this announcement, two rooms at the school are to be converted into labs; one for computers and one for practical sciences.  The Siloam concern is the ability to finance this transition.  An appeal has been made to the parents but realistically, the parents have very little means to contribute.  On behalf of the club, Alan has asked the headmaster, to prepare a budget for Eganville Rotary to consideration. The highlight of this visit was a presentation of dance and poetry by the young children as a welcome to their visitors. (pictured above)
 
During the second visit, there was a meeting with a new committee that will guide the implementation in the school of the “Say No, Be Counted” initiative.  Members of the committee include the Board of Trustees, Community Health Workers, teachers and parents.  Alan said, “We had a very productive discussion with members of that committee who, in the next month will be making suggestions about signage to reflect the no bullying policy."
 
From this meeting, the following were some of the conclusions:
  • The SNBC program has changed the lives of the children of Siloam and environs
  • The girl child is now empowered to speak out against sexual abuse, report and get help
  • The boy child is better equipped to deal with anti-social/ criminal behaviour due to peer pressure
  • Stakeholders agree to maintain the teachings of SNBC ‘as long as it remains within the confines of the new curriculum’
  • The MHM has had a positive impact of the students and parents
  • The SNBC program should be expanded to other schools in the community
  • Siloam will become a ‘no bullying area’ with signage to be erected
 
The last day was spent with Rotarians from RC of Syokimau at a secondary school in Mlonglo where Alan and Mona participated in discussions on mentorship and on environmental issues and then, in the afternoon, planted trees on the school property.
It was an enjoyable and productive two weeks in Nairobi.