HEALTH AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS

AMURT provides HIV+ children with wholesome meals, education, medical treatment, and the support of counselors.

The daycare center was inaugurated by F.K.A. Segai, the Provincial Commissioner of Nairobi, on 16th April 2003. It now cares for 106 children, providing counseling, education, nutritious meals and healthcare. Our counselor advises the children on coping skills (in the event of both parents dying), dealing with discrimination (people with HIV are still ostracized in Kenya) and healthcare issues. This program is supported by AMURT Italy, AMURT USA, Lions Greater Nairobi, and individual donors.

Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV, Nairobi
 

This HIV+ mother received milk from AMURT

HIV/AIDS has caused the death of more than 1.5 million Kenyans since the 1980s. Currently an estimated 500 Kenyans die daily as a result of the disease. Many mothers carry the virus, which puts their children at risk, too. 40 – 50% of transmission of HIV from infected mothers to their children takes place during breastfeeding. This can be prevented if the mothers are given treated cow’s milk or infant formula. However, most women in the Nairobi slums are unable to afford breast milk alternatives. AMURT is currently providing pasteurized cow’s milk to women in the Kangemi slum. They come to the AMURT community center every day to receive one liter of treated whole cow’s milk. They receive this allocation of milk for the first 12 months of their child’s life. After 12 months the baby is given unimix, a nutritious mixture. The women are referred to this program from the AMURT Health Care Center, where they receive counseling in ante-natal care.

Street Children’s Nutrition Program, Nairobi Under this program 600 children are given a healthy meal and a glass of milk every Sunday. The children are also taught environmental cleanliness and the safe use of water. Occasionally we provide counseling for the children. Widow’s and Disabled People’s Support Program, Nairobi This program started with 21 widows in 2001 under the sponsorship of Victoria Furniture. Now we provide 1100 widows and disabled people with a weekly food basket of maize flour, beans, bread, biscuits and milk for their children. Occasionally we distribute blankets and other useful items depending on the needs. Vocational Training Center for HIV/AIDS Infected and Affected Vulnerable Children, Nairobi. Our vocational training center supports HIV/AIDS infected and affected children aged 13 to 18, by training them in tailoring, hairdressing, computer skills, and handicraft making. In 2006 we trained 16 young boys and girls who are working in different commercial places and earning their own livelihood. This program was initiated by Pfizer Austria.   Micro-Credit, Capacity Building and Skills Training, Nairobi The Sister’s Self Help Group started with 12 mothers in July 2003 under the leadership of Lillian Mochama, herself a widow with eight dependents. The intent of the project is to help the women with HIV/AIDS, who are desperately poor, find the means to better provide for their families. AMURT has now trained 48 HIV-infected women to make tie-dye fabric, shirts and children’s clothes. In January 2004 AMURT provided the group with 4 sewing machines so they could decorate their items with lace. Many of the women suffered from discrimination, even from their own families, due to HIV. In the self-help group they find a supportive community, a means to earn an income, and hope for the future. This program was initiated by World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP).   Training Program for Healthcare Professionals, Nairobi AMURT organizes training programs for health care professionals in various Nairobi clinics. In 2006 we trained 250 nurses, laboratory technicians, pharmacists, VCT counselors, and HIV/AIDS managers.   AMURT Healthcare Center, Nairobi AMURT ‘s Healthcare Center was inaugurated in 2003, funded by the Embassy of Japan, Prakash Patel Foundation, Giants Group of Nairobi, Singh Retread Ltd. and Abacus Pharmaceuticals. The 26 staff members make good use of the building’s 34 rooms for a wide range of medical services, including medical consultations, pharmacy, laboratory, X-ray and ultrasound examinations, dentistry, and voluntary counseling and testing of HIV carriers. In partnership with the Government of Kenya, Family Health International, and Pathfinder International we provide services in maternal and child health, family planning and treatment of HIV/ AIDS, TB, and malaria. Presently we treat 4,000 outpatients monthly at a 50% cost sharing rate, provide antiretroviral therapy for 1,800 HIV/AIDS patients and assist over 2000 patients with opportunistic infection (OI) treatment.   AMURT Healthcare Center, Likoni, Mombasa AMURT recently built this health facility in the Likoni slum near Mombasa. The clinic has 9 medical staff, and serves as the base for 15 community based health workers who provide home based care services to over 2000 HIV patients. In partnership with the Ministry of Health and Family Health International we are provide treatment for TB, Malaria, and HIV. The major donors are AMURT Italy, AMURT USA, Palm and local sympathizers. The training program for the community health workers was provided by Pathfinder International.   AMURT Educational Support Program, Likoni, Mombasa In 2007 AMURT opened a nursery school in our Likoni center. We provide 55 poor children with basic education, food, and healthcare. We are currently expanding the school building with help from AMURT Italy and other supporters in the community. AMURT Mahaya Hospital, Mahaya, Kisumu With support from the Ministry of Health, AMURT recently finished construction of this hospital in the village of Mahaya, 72 kilometers from Kisumu in the Lake Victoria region. The main function of this hospital is to support pregnant mothers and reduce the risk the child mortality. According to our survey, 95 % pregnant mothers deliver their baby at home, often in unsafe conditions. Our maternity ward provides mothers with a safe place to give birth. The hospital has 23 beds as well as a pharmacy, laboratory, pediatric section, and small operation theatre. An average of 50 patients get treatment daily at a nominal fee. The major donors for this project are the Embassy of Japan, Embassy of Egypt, Hyarbisan Construction Company, CDF, Kenya Concrete, and Skylark .

Y o u     c  a n   h e l p !

To contribute you can:

2. Send a donation via the AMURT Global office

3. For those not living in U.S.A. donations can also be sent via bank transfer to:

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

AMURT Kenya
Africa HQ: 209, Mountain View Estate, Nairobi
P.O. Box: P.O Boox-29049 (00625), Nairobi
Tel/Fax:+254 20 2017160
Mobile: +254 722701578
Email:

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