MARCH 28TH AND 29TH FREE MEDICAL CAMP - NGURUMANI, KAJIADO WEST, KENYA.

Otto Benecker Foundation Leads Successful Medical Camp in Nguruman Village, Kajiado West

The Otto Benecker Foundation, in collaboration with the Afya Bora Mashinani consortium, which includes Imarisha Kenya, Women of Hope Able Differently, Action for Children Living with Diabetes Kajiado, and Jumuia Hospital, recently held an integrated medical camp in Nguruman Village, Kajiado West. The initiative aimed to offer free and inclusive healthcare services to women, men, youth, and children, particularly those affected by underdevelopment and limited access to medical care.

A total of 550 community members were reached during the camp. Medical professionals treated a wide range of conditions, including:

• Hyperacidity

• Eye problems

• Skin infections

• Nerve disorders

• Diabetes

• Hypertension

• Tuberculosis (a few cases already under treatment)

• Gastritis

• Asthma

• Malaria

• Neonatal and child health issues

• Mental health and drug abuse (including psychosocial support)

Key medical statistics from the camp included:

• 210 individuals were screened for high blood pressure.

• 11 patients were treated for Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) infections.

• 102 people received care for orthopedic conditions.

• 89 individuals received eye care.

• 2 cases of severe malnutrition were identified.

• 1 active case of tuberculosis was reported.

• Over 55 children were treated for various health issues.

In addition to on-site care, 47 individuals were referred for specialized post-camp services, including total knee replacement surgeries, arthritis treatment, and adenoid removal.

This medical camp highlighted the power of partnerships in addressing healthcare disparities in remote and underserved regions. The Otto Benecker Foundation and its partners remain committed to continuing such outreach efforts to improve the health and well-being of marginalized communities.

                     An officer attending to a patient at the triage 28th march 2025

                     An officer attending to adolescent girls concerning SRHR education

                    Some of the partners posing for a group photo after the camp on 29th march                                             2025

KBC THE LEGENDS CREW,  NAIROBI CLUSTER AND OTTO BENECKER FOUNDATION TEAM 

In another encounter, Kenya Broadcasting Television The Legends Crew, paid a visit to the girl's safe spaces in Mathare 4A, to hear from the girls about their transformation and impact. Otto Benecker Foundation and Nairobi cluster consortium were happy to host the team. see clip below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQNTiZouafI

 End Year Review 2023

Otto Benecker Foundation, completed a 3-year review in August 2023. Adolescent girls' project, brings together a consortium of three organizations i.e Imarisha-Kenya (Secretary, Kreative Generations -Treasurer and Otto Benecker Foundation, chairing and lead organization). In the review, the adolescent girls, duty bearers, parents and other stakeholders gave their views concerning observable impact, gaps and opportunities that would ensure betterment of girl's lives in informal settlement as shown in the uploaded video. 

 THE DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD, 16TH JUNE 2023

Today, as of May 2022, there were about 590 million users (43% internet penetration) in Africa. Kenya's internet penetration rate stood at 32.7% of the total population at the start of 2023. As the spaces on social media keep opening, we keep on exposing our children to greater risks that will violate their rights. We do not have clear regulations and mechanisms that control various social media platforms. For instance, children's access to contents on tiktok, facebook, instagram, whatsapp, you tube and internet looks attractive to young people and they are glued by the technological innovations. The young are also more knowledgeable than their caregivers and this puts them at more risk. There is need therefore for the government to enrich policy and policy agencies to ensure that child protection is guaranteed. Otto Benecker Foundation, joins other partners on 16th June to celebrate the Day of the African child in the digital era and offers suggestions for more enhanced protection of young children by our duty bearers. Nairobi County celebrations will be conducted at Mathare special school, and it brings together over 50 partners. Nairobi Cluster (Otto Benecker Foundation, Imarisha Kenya and Kreative Generations) will enhance voices of our adolescents by encouraging them to speak out to the world through magnet theatre, dances and public speaking.

 Otto Benecker Foundation together with Aga Khan University are now partnering in a mental health program with public schools in which mental health literacy trainings are on-going. In a recent pilot conducted at Ndurarua High School in Dagoretti in March for six weeks 2023, adolescents learned about mental health stigma, myths, Teen brain, how the brain and the body are interrelated, and mental states levels. 

 Otto Benecker Foundation, together with Kasarani Sub-County are planning International day of the African Girl Child, whose theme this year reads "Out time is now, our rights our future" celebrated 11th October will be celebrated on 15th October 2022 at st. John Catholic Church, Korogocho. Participating stakeholders include: Kasarani sub-county DCS, Otto Benecker Foundation, Slum Child Foundation, Germany doctors, Shift4Chnage, DSW, Sickle cell foundation, Inuka Kenya, child space foundation, legacy education center, Panairobi, Pamoja Initiative, mathare child fund, pamoja Tushinde. 

 October 10th 2022 was world mental health open day. Otto Benecker Foundation, together with Dagoretti sub-county health committee, Aga Khan University (AKI), Calmind Foundation, Basic Needs, Street Talent Africa, Shamir Foundation among other participated in the event attended by over 300 people. The event graced by Senator Kasanga, stressed on the needs for making mental health a priority by funding adequately, equipping hospitals with personnel on mental health and entrenching preventive and promotive mechanisms. Otto Benecker Foundation shared its strategies that had worked including: peer to peer dialogues in safe spaces, soccer clinics as promoter of good health and spaces for dialoguing and magnet theatre as an advocacy tool for behavior change communication.