| 25 Waterview Dr. Cornwall, PE, C0A 1H4, Canada
Phone: 902-566-2976 Fax: 902-566-1449
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I think I say the same thing every time I start a newsletter; I can’t believe that six months is already gone by. However, since I last wrote the spring newsletter, very much has happened which I am very excited to report.
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| Child with a club foot |
Support for people
with disabilities:
Each year a medical team and I travel to Kenya a couple of weeks in advance of the larger mission team. The purpose is to try to network and build relationships with potential partners, who have the resources to help us improve and/or expand our services to the people we try to serve. These resources could be expertise of some kind which we can utilize; it could be medical personnel who have an interest in serving at our Kencan clinics, or other forms of assistance.
One such networking effort by Dr. Ed Harrison, Dr. Jane Farmer, Kathy Mutch RN and I took place last year, 2010, when we spent considerable time with the Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya, otherwise known as APDK. Because of our experience in doing clinics we became painfully aware of the high incidence of physical and mental disabilities in the Mikinduri area. We were anxious to try to discover a potential partner(s), who could provide ongoing services when we are not there.
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| Mother carrying her son to the clinic |
Our research led us to APDK, which produced an incredible result. As reported in the spring newsletter, we had our first day of clinics for people with disabilities, which was an incredibly emotional event with 200 people arriving using every mode of transportation, including one small mother carrying her full grown son a distance of 5 miles. Even the professional people from APDK were overwhelmed by the great need. As a result, they committed to return to Mikinduri every month to conduct clinics for the disabled. They have lived up to their commitment in fine style. I just returned from Mikinduri, and was so pleased to be able to have the people from APDK confirm their desire to continue their work with us. In fact, they are so committed to helping the people that they have made a formal request to us. They requested for us to consider funding the building of a Physiotherapy Rehabilitation center, so they can improve their services. After careful consideration, the Board of Directors for MCOH made the commitment, which essentially put the pressure on us to fund raise an additional $70,000, which is the approximate amount necessary to build the center.
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APDK members meeting with
MCOH Medical team |
I am absolutely delighted to inform you, that as a result of the incredible generosity of a few big hearted individuals on PEI, who believe in our cause, and want to help us grow, we were able to raise the necessary funds in less than two month’s. No words can adequately express our deep thanks to this handful of wonderful people. I feel so blessed and humbled by their faith in us.
Having raised the funds, the next step was to move the process forward in Mikinduri. This means getting the formal approvals, which are necessary in order to partner with the government Department of Health. One of our principles of operation always is to partner with government where possible, because this ensures sustainability for projects. During my recent trip to Kenya I met with the officials from APDK, as well as some wonderful Health Dept directors. It was unbelievable how anxious they were to partner with a small NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) like ours. I found it necessary on several occasions to remind them that we are the “tiny NGO with the big heart”. We need to understand that often they deal with much larger NGOs like the Red Cross, Save the Children, or World Vision which obviously have much deeper pockets.
One of the wonderful additional benefits of committing to providing the funding for the rehabilitation center is that once complete, the government under their operating rules must provide the professional manpower to run the facility, at no cost to us. So this is an incredible step forward, which we are so proud of, and so anxious to get built because the needs are so great. I look forward to returning in February with the Kencan team and hopefully seeing a partially completed building. I am probably overly optimistic about that, but I can’t help myself, since it is so exciting, and so badly needed.
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Support for our vision program:
Another program which we are passionate about is trying to improve the services to people with vision problems. Once again in an effort to partner, when I was in Kenya last year, I approached the Lions Club Sightfirst Hospital in Nairobi, to investigate the possibilities of having them take part in our KenCan vision clinics in February. As reported in the spring newsletter, they agreed to provide a team of five medical vision professionals, who came to Mikinduri for four days. Upon their return to Nairobi, they took with them 60 patients, of
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| Seniors waiting to have cataract surgery |
which 55 had cataract surgery. MCOH paid all of the costs, including salaries, accommodation, travel, etc. for the team. It was so wonderful to be able to help these people with these surgeries.
When I was recently in Kenya, I was delighted to be able to renew that partnership, and get their agreement to not only send the same team of medical professionals to our KenCan vision clinics, but they also agreed to my request to do monthly clinics in Mikinduri. Even more wonderful, was the fact that they were very quick to agree to act as a partner for a permanent vision clinic. Obviously a permanent clinic would require a building to house the equipment and the vision personnel, which meant more fundraising.
I was aware that every Lions Club in the world donates money to the Lions Club
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| Seniors after having cataract surgery |
International Foundation, (LCIF) which develops projects all over the world. So a portion of every Lions Club International contribution is supporting the Nairobi Sightfirst Hospital. I was so impressed when I approached the District Governor Mr Gerry Hartigan, for the New Brunswick/PEI/Maine district. He quickly agreed to listen to our story. Upon hearing it, he suggested that an appropriate action plan would be to address a meeting of all 79 Lions Club representatives. He also introduced me to Nora Davidson-Wright, who is the international coordinator for the district.
They were anxious for me to do a presentation, which took place on Sunday, November 20th. After I left the meeting, a motion was put forward and passed, that the district would provide $20,000, and make application to the Lions Club international foundation, for a grant to double the amount.
Because of my research, I was aware that in order for an application to Lions Club international to be successful, it is mandatory that a local Lions Club near Mikinduri, be agreeable to become a sponsoring club. I was so absolutely delighted, when I approached the president of the Meru Lions Club, Dr Albert Obiri, which is about 25 miles from
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| Head surgeon Dr. Fayaz Khan and Ted Grant – MCOH |
Mikinduri. Dr. Obiri is the head surgeon at the Meru general hospital. He was quick to offer to take the idea to his membership, the idea of becoming a sponsoring club, which he did, and which passed with flying colors.
In addition to having the Meru Lions Club becoming our partner, with the NB/PEI/Maine club, they also agreed to partner with us during our upcoming Kencan medical mission. This was an unexpected and delightful extra benefit, which I believe will increase our ability to provide medical services to the people in Mikinduri significantly, when we are not there.
What an incredible outcome from such generous people. I look forward to enriching this relationship; looking to finding more areas of common interest for future partnering.
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The area of Kagwuru I have mentioned many times in past newsletters, and certainly our Kencan team members are aware of our passion for this very poor area. When first introduced by our Kenyan agricultural specialist Francis Mwika 3 years ago, I was shocked to see the very miserable condition of the school, and the degree of starvation and malnutrition amongst the students. The school that was supposed to have over 200 students had something in the order of 150. The morale was incredibly low, and even though the school was supposed to provide
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The old Kagwuru School
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education for class one to eight, there
were never any students that got as far as class 8. In the many years that this school existed, only one student graduated from class 8. That student’s name is Priscilla; she is now employed by us as a social worker and mentor for the students, especially the female ones. Immediately upon discovering Kagwuru three years ago, we introduced an emergency feeding program, and were given 9 acres of land by the local chief on which we could grow the crops for the feeding program. We then put in a pipeline bringing clean fresh water from the mountain springs down to the school. We worked with the teachers and parents, giving them seeds, like sweet potatoes and moringa, fertilizer, and tools, as well as teaching them new ways of cultivating, as well as drought and pest resistant varieties of maize. Gradually the guardians and parents who came to work the land started to take pride in the fact that they were providing for their own children’s well-being. We provided funds for a new cookhouse, and a storage facility where excess crops could be stored for future meals.
We approached the government, to get a new head master, one who was prepared to lead the school out of its destitute situation. Mr. Karimi has put his heart and soul into improving the standards.
Yet in spite of all of that effort, two things continued to happen: students were dropping out of school to work so they could support themselves, because their families could no longer afford to do so. Secondly, we were still losing young girls to early marriage. Girls as young as 13, were being married off and having babies. This ensures a hard life of carrying water and wood, and working the fields with babies on their backs.
So we worked with the local chief, Alex Kiberia, as well as meeting with the parents to try to instill a change of attitude. We instituted a scholarship program, so that the most promising of the children could advance to secondary school.
The hard work of our staff members, and the wonderful generosity of our donors in Canada, as well as the mission teams who visit the Kagwuru School every time we go to Kenya, is now paying off significantly. Here are some examples:
1) When I sat in class 8 (Grade  just a month ago, I was surrounded by 17 students, who were preparing to write the Kenya National Standard exams. This is a remarkable change. The students are excited and motivated.
2) Student enrolment is now up to over 330 students, partially because of the feeding program, but also because the parents want their children to be attending a good school. Kagwuru School is now considered to be one of the best in the area.
3) It has been two years now since we have lost a young female student to early marriage. once again this is an amazing improvement. Just consider the difference this one change alone will make for those 17 students.
4) When we visit, the teachers tell us how much more energetic the kids are since they started to receive two nutritious meals everyday. They explained how the students are now able to concentrate more and have energy to learn, resulting in higher marks.
Over the last three years, the government has been persuaded to provide funding for four new classrooms, yet we still have 200 students from class 1 to class 4, learning in shacks made from a mixture of cow dung and mud. It is so dark, dingy and noisy that it is impossible to learn.
When I was there very recently, congratulating Mr. Karimi, on the wonderful improvements he has brought about at the school, he was quick to passionately request that we find a way to build four more classrooms to replace the mud huts. I promised him that I would do my absolute best to raise the necessary funds, which will be approximately $20,000 in total. The parents are committed to providing labour and local building materials like sand and stone to reduce the cost.
  Temporary Primary Kagwuru School New Unfinished Kagwuru School
Since returning home, I have been delighted to be able to connect once again, with the leadership class at Bluefield High School. I presented a challenge to them to raise the sufficient funds to build one classroom. The students enthusiatically have taken this challenge on, and have already begun raising money.
The Good Shepherd Parish Unit of the Catholic Church in Cornwall has also been challenged to replace one classroom, and a special collection has been taken up, and the goal of $5000 was surpassed. As well, in Toronto, the Alderwood United Church, which is attended by the three Butt sisters, Tracy, Cindi and Cheri, all of whom have been to Mikinduri, are doing a fundraiser, which last year produced over $4000, so only one more classroom to raise funds for. Isn’t that incredible? Thanks to all those who supported this special drive.
I have no doubt, that we will find the funds to support Mr. Karimi and his passion for helping to lift these kids out of a life of poverty and unimaginable hard work. If anyone wishes to make a special donation to be earmarked for a classroom, be reassured that 100% of the funds will go to the construction.
In my opinion, this is a remarkable story of how simply providing a hand up to the grateful parents and guardians has made a huge difference. These parents are now glowing with pride in their modest accomplishments, and they know that the Mikinduri Children of Hope will continue to be there to support them where needed. I continue to tell them in Canada, there is a wonderful, committed group of donors and volunteers who love them and want to support their dreams of improving the lives of their children.
It is a humbling and somewhat challenging experience to stand in front of 300+ students who look to you for support. If it were not for the incredible generosity of our donors and volunteers, that experience would be much more humbling, because I would not be able to offer the hope that we will be there for them. Thank you so much for your generosity, which affords us the privilege and pleasure of being able to support them. It is no small thing, and we do not take it for granted.
Ted with Students – Fall 2011
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News Updates:
Several months ago our Program Director Anthony Kirigia left our employment to take advantage of what he hopes will be a better opportunity. Anthony was a hard and dedicated worker, who did a good job for us, and we wish him well in all his future endeavours. So part of my reason for going to Mikinduri recently, was to work with our Mikinduri board and staff, to interview new potential candidates.
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| New Program Director Martin Murithi |
I am very pleased to announce that we have a new Program Director Martin Murithi. Martin is a recent graduate from University, full of enthusiasm, and has a great passion for working with the people in remote villages, which is exactly what we do. So we heartliy welcome him aboard.
Martin joins our other Mikinduri team members; Francis Mwika, our outstanding agronomist, Loyd Muchiri, our capable accountant, and wonderful program assistant. Also, as part of our team, we have Priscilla Lithira, who works closely with the students and teachers at KagwuruSchool; she is doing a great job mentoring the young girls. We really are very fortunate to have such a wonderful group of employees, who carry the banner for us every day, delivering our programs with the fewest dollars spent, and with a passion for helping the poor.
Revenue Canada Audit
A great vote of thanks is due to our MCOH Treasurer, Mike Conroy, for his astute managing of the recent audit by Revenue Canada. The auditors combed over our books for five days, and when the dust settled, they had only 2 or 3 minor recommendations for streamlining, our bookkeeping process. Mike spent many hours preparing for the audit, and then following up answering questions that came out of the audit. Thanks Mike very much for your wonderful work. It is so important to be able to tell our donors, and our volunteers, that we know beyond a shadow of a doubt, where and how our money is being spent.
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MCOH CD Cover
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Mikinduri song:
Ken Campbell, a retired businessman from PEI, was part of our 2011 mission trip. He was so moved by his experience in Mikinduri, that upon returning home composed a beautiful song, set it to music and with the capable help of David Rashed, produced a touching testament to the people of Mikinduri. Contributing to the back up vocals were fellow team members as well as Makenna Ambassa. This song will be available this Christmas as part of a fundraiser. Please see the very bottom section of this email if you are interested. Thanks Ken and David for your hard work.
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Kencan Mission trip 2012:
Kencan Mission trip 2012 is composed of 25 volunteers from various professions and
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| Last years KenCan Team |
backgrounds, who are getting more excited every day, as we prepare for departure on February 7. We are now at the stage where we begin our strategic packing phase, as well as applying for Kenya visas, and many other things. I am confident that once again this will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all the members. Everyone pays their own way, and takes their own holiday time to contribute to the lives of the less fortunate. They will be truly blessed. You will be able to share in our experience by reading our blogs from our website www.mikinduri.com.
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Closing thoughts:
I could go on for a very long time, by reporting on other projects and programs which have experienced significant growth, and which are also making a difference in the lives of the people in those areas, however I will finish by sincerely thanking once again our board members both here and in Kenya, who dedicate themselves not only to board meetings, but to heading up various fundraising events and taking on other important logistical roles. Also to those professional folks who serve so willingly on our various committees, like Scholarship, Medical and Community Based Health Care, and Fundraising. Thank you so much for your spirit of generosity.
Finally I wish to thank wholeheartedly, those generous folks who continue to support us, either by volunteering, donating or both. Without your significant contributions, Mikinduri Children of Hope, could not possibly have experienced the significant growth, which allows us the opportunity and incredible privilege of being able to reach out to the people we serve.
We welcome any and all comments or suggestions. Please feel free to contact us whichever way is most convenient (see contact information at the top of this email).
Sincerely,
Ted Grant
MCOH President
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Give the gift of hope and opportunity for Christmas
Keep the spirit of Christmas alive by donating to one of Mikinduri Children of Hope’s special funds on behalf of your loved ones this season. Every dollar you contribute to the Clean Water Fund, Scholarship Fund, Medical Fund or Most Needed Fund will go directly to help the poor of Mikinduri, Kenya have a better life. For each donation, you will receive a card or a CD with our new song featuring the Mission Team 2011 to give to your friend or family member signifying the gift you have chosen on their behalf. All you have to do is visit our website at www.mikinduri.com or mail all of the information and a cheque to MCOH 25 Waterview Dr. Cornwall, PE, C0A 1H4. For more details |
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