We’re in the process of ordering a vehicle – at this point it looks like it will be a Land Rover – that will be fitted out with a stretcher, cabinets, siren, lights and its own power supply. This vehicle will be shipped from the UK to Kenya, and we’re hoping to have it delivered by the end of the financial year.

This ambulance will be one of only five ambulances in the entire Western Province (population 4.1 million) and the ONLY ambulance in Kakamega district (population 110,000). It’s going to be one busy vehicle!

The difference the ambulance will make to the people of Shikunga will be immense – no more pregnant ladies being wheeled to hospital in wheelbarrows – and we’ll now be able to effectively transfer very unwell patients to Kakamega hospital for surgery.

We would like to thank all of our friends, our families and a number of very generous donors who have worked hard to provide this ambulance to the people of Western Kenya. We can’t wait to update you all soon with photos!

The night was a great success and over $3,000 was raised – providing the final dollars needed to buy Kakamega’s first ever ambulance!

We would like to thank everyone who attended – over 100 Blue Mountains locals – and to everyone who so generously donated on the night. Also, we’d like to specifically thank Active Automotive in Springwood for providing a $500 donation to help us buy our ambulance… and some fuel to run it!

If you would like to run your own trivia night to support Kenya Aid please drop us a line. These events are fun, can be easily organised at your local pub with a few friends, and provide us with much needed donations that can be directed to the program of your choice.

The latest update from February, 2012 is summarised as follows:

February has been very busy with lots of activities and the organisation of programs to meet the government’s requirements of operation. The outreach program (where community health workers visit the homes of locals to discuss health issues) has been a big success, motivating the community to achieve basic health care. 

The government strategy requires us to work with at least 30 community health workers in our coverage area. We currently work with four. The additional outreach workers will be allocated households at a community level and are needed to provide health updates to each household in he area, identify health needs, and make referrals to the health facility. To increase the number of outreach workers we partner with, we need additional financial support. We also need additional financial support for the Safe Mothers program (assisting new mothers with HIV) as the numbers have gone well beyond what was previously budgeted. 

A new lab technician has been hired. The laboratory service is now running five days a week, almost reaching the government goal of six days a week. To open the lab six days a week the lab technician will need a wage increase, which we hope will happen very soon. 

The level of malaria cases presenting at the hospital is still high, hence a need for further support to buy mosquito nets and anti-malarials.

Finally, we had a high number of deliveries and immunisations in February which is excellent news and demonstrates a high level of local trust in our Shikunga facility. 

• Average number of people per household- 5.2 people
• Services most wanted at the hospital
  - Ambulance 35%
  - Xray 23%
• People diagnosed previously with HIV- 26%
• People diagnosed previously with TB- 23%
• People diagnosed with malaria over the last 6 months- 74%
• Percentage of women who breastfed all children- 70%
• Percentage of people attending ANC while pregnant at least once- 90%
• Households where all people are sleeping under a mosquito net- 55%
• Frequency of condom use with intercourse
  - never 68%
  - some of the time 32%
• Frequency of condom use with intercourse in people previously diagnosed with HIV
  - never 38%
  - some of the time 62%
• Percentage of children that have had at least one vaccination- 97%

This is a fabulous donation for us as it means more of the money we raise in 2012 can be used for programs such as malaria prevention, childhood vaccinations, and HIV prevention. What a fantastic way to start the new year!

We’d like to extend a big thanks to this special donor for giving us a kick start to 2012. If you would like to support a nurse in 2012, or donate to any of our programs, you can find out more about Kenya Aid here, or make a donation here.

We hope everyone is having a safe and happy holiday season! See you all in the new year with some exciting new events!

Do you want to give a gift that REALLY makes a difference? Not just another piece of junk that’s going to clutter up great Aunt Maude’s cupboard?

Well for the first time, Kenya Aid has a range of gifts on offer that you can purchase as late as the 23rd of December to hand out to your beloved on Christmas day. You’ll get a beautifully designed printable or digital card to give with your gift, plus a delightful sense of satisfaction that you’ve given something awesome to someone who really needs it. What more could you want?

Check out our range of gifts that give twice below. To purchase, simply email us with your credit card details and we’ll get your gift card into your inbox before you know it. Easy peasy!

Oh, and here’s a sneak peek at the personalised gift card you’ll receive to go with your purchase.

Pay a nurse $400

From treating childhood diseases to delivering babies, nurses are the backbone of the Shikunga Community Hospital. Our nursing team works a 24 hour rotating shift to ensure adequate care for all, around the clock. Your donation will pay for a nurse to work for one month at the Kenya Aid hospital. 

Lunch for people living with HIV $85

Nutrition plays a very important role in the health of those diagnosed with HIV. Kenya Aid provides lunch for those who attend a weekly HIV support group that is run at the hospital. Not only do these lunches provide a source of nutrition, but the meetings also provide important social support and help reduce stigma associated with living with HIV. Your donation will pay for one month of lunches for our HIV support group.

Treated malaria nets$45

Malaria remains one of the largest causes of preventable deaths in both adults and children. Treated mosquito nets are one of the most valuable and cost effective ways to prevent malaria.
Kenya Aid distributes nets for free to pregnant women and children under 5 years. Your donation will provide treated nets for ten people living in Western Kenya.

Child Immunisation $24

Give the gift of a disease free future by providing children with vaccinations against diseases such as polio, measles and TB. Your donation will allow Kenya Aid to run outreach vaccination programs in communities surrounding the hospital and will help vaccinate up to 120 children.

Anti-malarial Medication $50

Malaria kills around one million people every year. While insecticide treated nets provide the most cost-effective prevention, timely treatment is also necessary in the battle against malaria. A donation of $50 will provide enough medicine to treat 25 people diagnosed with malaria at the Shikunga Community Hospital.

Oral Rehydration Solution $40

Diarrhoea is the third leading killer of children in Kenya. Simple solutions, such as hand-washing and oral rehydration solution are the most useful and cost-effective tools in combating this disease. Your donation will provide 80 sachets of ORS to children who are diagnosed with diarrheal illness.

So, where to from here? Well we still need an extra $3,000 to pay for the ambulance to be fitted out and shipped to Mombasa – we hope to have this raised by the New Year. What a start to 2012, right? Western Kenya’s first ever ambulance! So if you think you can help out, or know someone who can, please drop us a line or hit that little donate button on the home page. Every dollar counts!

We’d also like to thank all those who made this night possible through donating their time and items for auction. So big thanks to:

• Holdsworth House Medical Practice
• Class Sports Wear
• Cricket NSW
• Affordable Inspiration
• Chivas Regal
• Jonathan Hayde
• Tim Pascoe
• Vineyard Hill Retreat
• Fitness First
• National Geographic
• Our wonderful friends and family

But if you weren’t excited enough, it’s time to check out the FANTASTIC auction items up for grabs this  year.

So far we’ve got…

• A gorgeous and totally unique work of art painted by artist Jonathon Hayde
• A stunning photograph by award winning photographer Tim Pascoe
• A bottle of whisky, and a private whisky tasting for 20 people from Chivas Regal
• Two nights accommodation at the very relaxing Vineyard Hill Retreat in the Hunter Valley
• Something very sparkly and pretty for the ladies from Cerrone jewellery
• Glass making supplies and classes from Affordable Inspiration. Perfect if you’re looking for a unique new hobby!
• A 3 month PLATINUM pass to Fitness First. Just in time to get that body ready for summer!
• A signed and framed Steve Mortimer jersey. If you don’t know who Steve Mortimer is you should probably do some Googling. He’s like the father of rugby!
• A giant green esky full of goodies INCLUDING a bat or two signed by the Australian team and… wait for it… tickets to the cricket this summer, Australia versus India!
• A jersey, framed, and signed by the current Kangeroos team
• Something special from our friends at National Geographic
• A few lovely pieces of glass jewellery from Sydney artists

A big thanks to Tim Pascoe, award winning Sydney photographer, for donating an original artwork for our charity auction!

Tim is an industry leader, has a background in creative photojournalism, and we know for a fact he takes amazing photos – he was our wedding photographer!

This year he has donated an amazing piece, perfect for any home or office. You can check out some of his work HERE, or just wait and see what he’s got to offer on the night. We’re sure you’ll be impressed!

If you’re a whisky lover you’re in luck – Chivas Regal are turning up to host a tasting for our guests PLUS have very generously donated a bottle of aged whisky AND a private tasting for up to 20 guests (valued at over $1500!) for our auction!

The Kenya Aid team would like to say a huge thanks to Chivas Regal and their Whisky Ambassador, James, for their super generous donation!

It’s going to be an exciting night! Get your bids in early for this one guys, I have a feeling it’s going to be popular!