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. 

CRVPF - Adolescent Girl's Power Project (AGPP) 2020/2022

 A two day convention at the Methodist Resort on 3rd and 4th August brought together national partners in Kenya from Kilifi and Nairobi. Nairobi cluster comprising of Otto Benecker Foundation, Imarisha Kenya and Kreative generations together with Kilifi Cluster (Pad aDad, Safe community). This was an engagement that brought about cross-learning, benchmarking and positioning for opportunities. 

Girl mentors from various 20 safe spaces (Mathare 4A) Nairobi and 6 from kilifi communities showcased best practices. In the concluded convention, participants learned that; girls had gained self confidence in their safe spaces, gained knowledge on life and vocational life skills and increased voices and taking up of action at community duty bearers. 

Girl mentors sharing their own safe spaces experiences across kilifi and Nairobi.

Support from local children's and chief's offices and county ministries were lauded for successful acceptance of the project. 

LET'S POWER OUR YOUTH - GIRLS AND BOYS

 Empowering by enablement through life, vocational skills and talents is a sure way of changing lives.

Youth appreciate and embrace theatre as an expression tool.

https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=otto%20benecker%20foundation

Medical Camp, conducted on 26th-29th October 2021 at Oloibortoto Location Kajiado, Nguruman Community. 

In the recently completed medical camp, Otto Benecker Foundation and other partners uniting under Afya Bora Mashinani umbrella organized a medical camp which saw 354 people attended to on 28th and 29th October 2021. The event brought together the County government's office, Kajiado MOH, Imarisha Kenya, Rays of Care Kenya, Karura Youth Sports Association and other local stakeholders. The network organized a

medical camp in Kajiado West County, Ngurumani village Olibortoto location. The

network brought together various stakeholders from the community including the

County Government Medical team, (MOH) and governors’ office, Karura Youth

Association (KYSA), Real Pharmaceuticals and Range Chem. Oloibortoto, 

Main conditions that were treated included: Hypertension and diabetes, arthritis and back pains, mumps and otitis media, Gastroenteritis, fungal infections, Upper respiratory tract

infections, UTIs and COVID 19 vaccinations. 

                       In the Photo, Area chief, oloiboroto location officially opens the medical camp on behalf of the deputy governor, Kajiado County, 28th 2021. 

Local committee chairman, addresses the congregants at Nguruman village, during the launch.

Oloiborototo secondary school girls who benefited from some of the life skills training and sanitary towels on 29th October 2021

Afya Bora Mashinani Chairman and Otto Benecker Foundation CEO John Chavasu, addresses the congregants during the launch on 28th October 2021

Area chief during a tree planting session on the 28th October 2021

 

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF GIRL CHILD, is celebrated every year on 11th October. This year the day was celebrated in Mathare 4 A by safe space girls under the Adolescent Girl's Power project. The objective was to let girls apply the life skills they learn in safe spaces and become confident by playing soccer.  The day's celebration brought together the children's department, local stakeholders, and parents to witness some of the gained talents and skills. 

 

 WEZESHA WASICHANA (enable girls) CHAPTER (Maa translation, Naidimie Ntonyie Oloibortoto)

In a recent activity held earlier, on the International Day of zero tolerance on FGM, Otto Benecker foundation together with its collaborating partners (Ray of Care, Imarisha Kenya and Osiligi health center visited Nguruman, in Kajiado to raise awareness on the effects of FGM during the February 6^th 2021 celebrations. The event happened at Oloibartoto Location, at Kenya Evangelicah Lutheran Church. The next visit scheduled for July 16th-17th aims at following up on the resolutions that were past by the local leaders and partners.

The main problem among teen girls was FGM, currently practiced openly in Kenya and across the border in Tanzania.

Among key highlights in the next meeting will be:

·         Find solutions to SRHR/MH and FGM challenges:

1.       Train both boy and girl child so that they can be on the same level of understanding issues
2.       Community members to collaborate and utilize local resources to solve some key challenges.
3.       Find alternatives to girls' challenges as lack of school fees, GBV at home and discrimination     that could be challenged through community dialogues.
4.       Organize exchange programs where teenage girls meet other girls and learn from each other.
5.      A follow up on what girls vowed:
6.      Wezesha wasichana Oloibortoto chapter was formed to support girls in safe   spaces, champion end to FGM in Nguruman and community leaders would start   community dialogues to address various challenges.

Some of the teen girls at Oloibortoto, Nguruman village, 2021

 As we celebrate the Day of African Child every 16th June; this year 2021, the theme was “30 years after the adoption of the Charter: accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2040 for an Africa fit for children”. Otto Benecker Foundation throough the adolescent girl's power project focused on empowering the children with rights knowledge, sexual reproductive health, leader and advocacy and business development skills, as assets that will enhance child safety. The adolescent girl will be able to understand her agency and safe spaces. 

In the recent photo, 17th June 2021, young adolescent mothers in Mathare, Nairobi County found a safe space to share their experiences and encourage each other.

MITIGATING COVID 19 PANDEMIC AND TRANSFORMING TO NEW NORMAL

AS the world grapples with COVID 19 pandemic, Otto Benecker Foundation, takes this opportunity to urge all its beneficiaries to keep safe by observing Kenyan government and World Health Organization guidelines in order to eliminate effects of the unusual pandemic.

Protect yourself and others from the spread COVID-19

You can reduce your chances of being infected or spreading COVID-19 by taking some simple precautions:

Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.

Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.

Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and others. 

Why? When someone coughs, sneezes, or speaks they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or 

mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus 

if the person has the disease.

Avoid going to crowded places. Why? Where people come together in crowds, you are more likely to come into 

close contact with someone that has COVID-19 and it is more difficult to maintain physical distance of 1 metre (3 feet).

Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. 

Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth.

From there, the virus can enter your body and infect you.

Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. 

This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. 

Then dispose of the used tissue immediately and wash your hands. Why? Droplets spread virus.

 By following good respiratory hygiene, you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.

Stay home and self-isolate even with minor symptoms such as cough, headache, mild fever, until you recover. 

Have someone bring you supplies. If you need to leave your house, wear a mask to avoid infecting others. 

Why? Avoiding contact with others will protect them from possible COVID-19 and other viruses.

If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention,

but call by telephone in advance if possible and follow the directions of your local health authority. 

Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. 

Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. 

This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.

Keep up to date on the latest information from trusted sources, such as WHO or your local and national health authorities. 

Why? Local and national authorities are best placed to advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves.

Transformative Development Planning

Transformative project design and implementation is the newest approach in development planning. This model values beneficiaries who become part and parcel of the project. They begin by making contributions to the Theory of Change (TOC). Here, primary targets identify needs, root causes, and find solutions by themselves. As planners, we take the ideas to the next level although maintain the language of the beneficiaries as simple as possible. A Case in point about transformative planning happened with  adolescent girls in Mathare recently when Otto Benecker Foundation team engaged in project fact finding mission about sexual abuse, exploitation and violence in January-June 2019.

One could easily feel the reality on the ground as girls expressed about statements and actions that are said and done to their bodies as they mingle with key influencers. Positive statements made them feel valued, loved and appreciated and mainly increased their self-confidence. On the contrary, negative statements made them feel disgusted, unappreciated, stigmatized and contributed to their low self-esteem and poor performance at school. The involvement of the girls then informed planners of various emerging needs as unsafe physical and emotional spaces for girls. This approach to planning makes planning easy for both the community, the primary target and the project staff.  (to be continued......)

The World Environment Day 2019

The World environment day 2019 - dubbed climate change for peace action brought together otto benecker foundation, Nairobi recyclers, miti alliance, conflict transformation for development, team change, anita children's home-ngong, ward administration's office, kabiro ward nairobi county, public primary schools, shepherd self help groups participated in clean up and tree planting exercises.
The event aimed at creating awareness about the effect of climate change on urban livelihoods and encouraged partners to engage in urban afforetation efforts so that we could increase the forest cover. We also observed that, by engaging pupils in primary schools was  a sustainable preventive measure as the values and beliefs about environmental conservation would be embraced by the budding conservationists.

Clean UP Exercise and Tree Planting

On 14th September 2019, Otto Benecker Foundation with other stakeholders organized a Clean up exercise in Dagoretti, Muslim Primary to gear up for the 21st World Clean Up Day - themed climate action  for peace. Fruit and non fruit trees were  in the public school and a clean up exercise conducted around the school to create awareness about need for urban afforestation.

Women, girls and youth

Women, girls and youth are the majority in the country, yet they are the pariahs of our communities.