Report by Peter Kai – Camp Kenya (Project Coordinator)

Last year  in November, Camps International officially launched the Healthcare Outreach Programs with 25 medical professional who traveled all the way from UK to Kenya to provide free medical treatment and advice on nutrition, sexual health and hygiene and a strong jiggers eradication campaign within 8 villages in Msambweni District. The outreach program was a huge success and a clear indication that the needs are vast and wide with thousands of people on the South Coast of Kenya who have little or no access to basic healthcare and often unable to offer simple treatment.

Based on our intervention last year, we launched a similar initiative with a group of 22 volunteers comprised mainly of practice nurses, healthcare assistants and social workers from the UK who arrived on 15th November. Once again, we set up 8 free medical camps in the same areas with certain additions to our program including spraying homes against pests (specifically jiggers), testing for malaria and provision of flipflops to the children (an initiative set up by the Happy Feet Program)

Over the course of two weeks, they operated 8 free medical clinics tirelessly, providing general treatment and advice in different health issues facing the community which included; Malnutrition cases, self hygiene and sexual health, laboratory services were issued specifically for the malaria test. A Social malaria survey was also carried during this period to determine whether the community understands what causes malaria (we are currently analyzing the data and will be publishing in due course)

Some of the Nurses who were there last year, made the job much simpler than before, organising the group into their respective working areas although once again they were surprised by the number of the water borne diseases and Jiggers in some of the 8 clinical stations operated compared to last year. Children below 10 years were the highest age bracket infected by Jiggers. All the patients infected by Jiggers were treated, given flip-flops and their houses sprayed thoroughly to prevent Jiggers spread.

Below are just some of the achievements:-
•    8 free medical clinics were effectively operated in the villages of Makongeni, Muhaka, Madago, Fihoni, Kilole, Mkwambani, Magaoni and Zigira
•    The team successfully treated about 8,000 medical incidences within 2 weeks, and around 4260 people
•    The volunteers also treated as many jigger patients as they could and fumigated about 200 houses. They also provided flip flops to the children to avoid re-infection.
•    Malaria tests was successfully carried in the field and treated accordingly.

A special thanks to all the volunteers nurses from the UK who came out this year and to the following who have financially supported the clinics:

• Kinondo Kwetu
• Harleys Limited
• Melanie Finn
• Zoia Wowk
• Alexandra Carrell

And of course the Camp Kenya staff and local community volunteers who worked tirelessly alongside our volunteer nurses…ASANTE SANA!

Once again, Camps International has set up the opportunity for a group of diverse individuals to lend a hand in the remote villages of Southern Kenya comprising a mix of nurses, clinical officers, and non healthcare volunteers. Everybody has the same goal; to improve the lives of the local villagers. Last year, we treated over 4000 people in less than two weeks and judging by the numbers we have been receiving over the last few days, we expect to hit the same target.

Sadly jiggers (a flea infestation affecting  fingers and toes, which left untreated may lead to extreme pain and even immobility) continue to be one of the biggest problems the young and old continue to be plagued by. This year, we are also spraying as many houses in the area as a way to reduce the epidemic.

Other illnesses that seem to be prevalent are Malaria, malnutrition and systemic infections. The health issues, poverty, sanitation and lack of education make living a healthy life challenging. We are also conducting a study on people’s understanding and knowledge of malaria. This we believe may help public health authorities to know whether people actually do know what causes malaria and how to prevent it.

Everybody has come together to provide healthcare clinics across eight villages seeing approximately 450 patients a day. We have held 4 clinics so far and 4 more to go. When you consider that there are 22 volunteers and a handful of local community members in the team, we have a lot of work to do over the next two weeks!…

This year has been an exciting year of development and new partnerships for Camps International. We were recently approached by the Zoological Society of London’s EDGE Fellowship Program to host their study abroad fellowship. They were looking for a location in the heart of rural Kenya close to the Indian Ocean and to an organization that is embedded within the community….what better place than Camp Makongeni?

“The EDGE Fellows programme aims to create a new global network of in-country conservationists trained in cutting-edge wildlife management techniques and well-equipped to design and implement a project for a local EDGE species.” We have 12 students from all over the world currently with us at Camp Makongeni and very proud also that Peter Kai, one of Camp Kenya’s Project Officer’s who many of you know is also attending the course. The group is blogging regularly on their site which you can read HERE and have also given us permission to repost one of the blogs below:

The Return to the Motherland….or a Conservation Adventure of a Young Biologist

It’s that time of year again! No, not Christmas. It’s time for the EDGE Conservation Tools training course. This year, we’ve come to the Kenyan coast to run a combined training course for early-career conservationists working on both marine and terrestrial EDGE species. Over the next few weeks we’ll be bringing you updates from the course participants, starting with Nikita Shiel-Rolle…

For most Bahamians the continent of Africa is thought of as the “motherland” or the origin of our existence. As a Rolle (a prominent Bahamian Slave surname), there is no question that my ancestry has direct ties to the continent of Africa.  As a scientist the idea of going to the African continent conjures different ideas of large mammals and unique species; exploring a biodiversity hotspot and learning the art of conservation science. So then I ask myself, what am I expecting of this scientific journey in the motherland?

Nassau, London, Entebbe, Mombasa a 3 day trip of over 19 hours in the air as opposed to the unimaginable trip by boat that my ancestors took hundreds of years ago headed in the opposite direction. I was in Kenya for no more than 15 minutes when I saw a monkey running around outside the airport, not to mention the ones screaming outside my tent as I am writing- this is a wild place! Our first official day began with an introduction to Makongeni Village, the community where Camp Kenya (the host location for our EDGE training course) is located.

As we walked through the community’s dirt roads we passed goats, chickens and homes constructed from mud and palm frawns. Camp Kenya is located close to a primary school that the organization has been influential in constructing. According to Gladys our camp Kenya Coordinator, when Camp Kenya moved into the area four years ago the students did not have a classroom, but rather would conduct lessons underneath the trees.

Our first course was on the Principles of Conservation Biology; this was a nice introduction for me as I just finished a very similar class last semester at University of Edinburgh. As such it provided a straightforward introduction to the more intense classes to come. Meanwhile, the current Ecological Monitoring course is a bit more demanding and has introduced a number of challenging statistical principals that I hope to fully understand by the end of this training. Despite the stress of statistics and the challenges associated with it, it is an area that I really need to work on. The classes we have done so far have been a nice balance of theory and practical application which mix things up and helps my brain cope with some of the really intense topics.

Today was by far the best day as I had my first dive in the Indian Ocean!  I was really impressed with the different types of coral along with the coral cover here. Everything was so healthy, not to mention that we had a surprise visit from a turtle and number of dolphins. Despite my passion for coral and the ocean I never thought that I would find myself specifically doing coral research. I am looking forward to seeing what the coral quality is like outside of the park. The diving in Kisite Marine Park reminded me of previous dives in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park in The Bahamas as there were so many different animals and everything was vibrant. It wasn’t until the second dive today that it hit me that I was diving in Kenya and that life as I know it is amazing and full of adventures! I can only imagine what’s to come.

The experience so far has got me thinking about my project and some of the parts that I want to refine. I have already been inspired and have many ideas on how I can positively impact conservation in The Bahamas.

It has been fantastic getting to know the other members in the group, learning about their EDGE species of focus and what life is like in their home nations. An experience like this is something that will truly impact all of our future careers, and hopefully conservation in general.  Tomorrow we begin statistics, if I said I was not worried I would be lying, but at the same time I am prepared to take on the adventures and the challenges of this conservation biology journey in the motherland.

Planning on booking a Gap or Life trip with Camps International? Book before the end of this month to be automatically entered in to our July Prize Draw to win £150 worth of essential travel kit! (July Prize Draw)

The prize includes loads of essential items for your expedition so is a great opportunity to save yourself some money. It’s so good that we even got Sarah to model some of the prize for the photo! Prize includes:

• 25L Day Sack
• Head Torch
• First aid kit
• Litre Water Bottle
• Sleeping bag liner
• Roll top dry bag
• Trek towel

To win all this useful gear, all you have to do is choose your Gap or Life destination and book before the end of July 2012 (5pm GMT on 31st July 2012). It really is that easy!

As usual with our monthly prize draws, we will choose the winner from a hat and post the video on our Facebook page so that you can see the draw. The prize draw will be held on the 1st June 2012.

So what are you waiting for? Enquire now to find out more about the trips available to you, or book online now! You can also give us a call on 0844 800 1127 to have a chat with one of the team. This prize draw only applies to new Gap and Life bookings made during July 2012.

Win £100 Cotswold Outdoor Vouchers! May Prize Draw.

If you’re looking to book your expedition with Camps International this month we have a fantastic prize draw on offer for anyone who confirms their place by the end of the month.

Book any Life or Gap trip with Camps International this month to be in with a chance to win £100 Cotswold Outdoor gift vouchers!

Save yourself £100 of essential travel equipment. Just choose your Gap or Life destination and book before the end of May 2012 (5pm GMT on 31st May 2012) to be included in the draw.

As usual with our monthly prize draws, we will choose the winner from a hat and post the video on our Facebook page so that you can see the draw. The prize draw will be held on the 1st June 2012.

So what are you waiting for? Enquire now to find out more about the trips available to you, or book online now! You can also give us a call on 0844 800 1127 to have a chat with one of the team. This prize draw only applies to new Gap and Life bookings made during April 2012.

This was originally posted by By Susanna Matters, UNICEF Australia Young Ambassador on the UNICEF website http://www.unicef.org.au/Discover/Blog/March-2012/A-celebration-for-all.aspx

We are very proud to know Susanna and how the work she put into her stay at Camp Kenya has affected her work and ours. To celebrate International Women’s day the 8th March in her role as young ambassador she has written this blog.

How come there isn’t International Men’s Day? It’s the question that relentlessly pursues me whenever I pin on my purple ribbon on 8th March. It can be jocular, whingey, dismissive or indignant, but somehow regardless of its tenor, that question dominates my life each year on International Women’s Day. I’ve tried responding with a patient but bemused smile. I’ve also tried pulling out my top ten statistics on the economic status of women around the world, quoting world leaders and deflecting it with a hasty ‘Is that really the point though?’ So this year, as a Young Ambassador, I’m trying this new response.

As an organisation dedicated to acting in the best interests of children, UNICEF Australia recognises International Women’s Day as being of tremendous importance for girls. It’s a day when our attention is drawn to the untapped potential of the women who make up seventy per cent of the world’s citizens living in poverty. We are also reminded that a staggering seventy per cent of the world’s children out of school are girls. As we celebrate inspirational women, a spot-light is simultaneously turned on the need to prepare girls to take on more decision-making positions. Why isn’t there an International Men’s Day? Well, it’s because it is girls who are disproportionately affected by humanitarian issues around the world.

This year, International Women’s Day pays particular attention to the livelihoods of women in rural areas with the theme Empower rural women: End hunger and poverty. In her statement for International Women’s Day, Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director UN Women said, “Nowhere are disparities and barriers greater than in rural areas for women and girls”. These words came to life for me on a recent trip to Kenya where I spent time teaching in two rural village schools. Both schools were tackling girls’ school attendance through improving the provision of toilets and sanitary pads. These practical measures are a clear-cut acknowledgement of the additional participatory challenges that rural girls face, just because they are girls. Together, we must work towards the empowerment of women by providing for girls.

We’ve got a lot to think about today celebrating the special women and girls in our lives. But let’s also take time to remember our commitment to the third UN Millennium Development Goal – promote gender equality and empower women. International Women’s Day is not about ignoring half the world’s population. It’s about communities (yes, that’s men and women) pausing to consider the potential of girls and planning ways to maximise their participation in educational, vocational and decision-making opportunities. International Women’s Day is a time to invest in the women of tomorrow. Please do take part.

Interested in International Women’s Day and its connection to global development? Read more athttp://www.unwomen.org.au

To find out how Camps International have taken Susanna’s advice on board and are now involved in fundraising for projects to improve the education of women in our communities read more here.

Anyone who has grown anything, harvested it and eaten it, knows just how much more satisfying it tastes.  But anyone who farms to make a living will know just how much hard work goes into producing a few kilos of fresh vegetables. As climate patterns change, and seasonal rains become less reliable, and populations soaring, food security particularly in Africa where the majority are still subsistence farmers has once again become a priority on the development agenda. To give you context for Kenya:

Agriculture in Kenya continues to dominate Kenya’s economy, although only 15-17 percent of Kenya’s total land area has sufficient fertility and rainfall to be farmed, and only 7-8 percent can be classified as first-class land.^[1][2] In 2006, almost 75 percent of working Kenyans made their living by farming, compared with 80 percent in 1980.^[1] About one-half of Kenya’s total agricultural output is non-marketed subsistence production.^[1] Agriculture is also the largest contributor to Kenya’s gross domestic product (GDP).^[1] In 2005, agriculture, including forestry and fishing, accounted for about 24 percent of the GDP, as well as for 18 percent of wage employment and 50 percent of revenue from exports.^[1]

Farming is the most important economic sector in Kenya, although less than 8 percent of the land is used for crop and feed production, and less than 20 percent is suitable for cultivation. Kenya is a leading producer of tea and coffee, as well as the third-leading exporter of fresh produce, such as cabbages, onions and mangoes. Small farms grow most of the corn and also produce potatoes, bananas, beans and peas.

(From Wikipedia)

Camp Muhaka and Camp Makongeni happen to be located within that 20% of suitable land for cultivation and whilst just about everyone has a small little farm mainly for cassava and maize and a few mango trees, there is very little in terms of cash crop production. People are extremely poor in the area and most live hand to mouth yet the soil is very fertile particularly in Muhaka and rainfall sufficient to ensure at least three good harvests a year. There are a number of reasons, and probably the main one being access to good market prices. Just about anything you plant in Muhaka grows and yes, there are problems with pests but, yes, things do grow.

We have proved it by planting a number of different vegetable crops on the Trust House land and getting a kick out of harvesting:

Ok, so we are not (yet) feeding ourselves let alone the world but hey, got to start somewhere! So, we have our spinach, tomatoes, eggplants, bananas, watermelon, and…

chillies….lots of chillies!

Why chillies? Simple:

1. They grow very well in this climate region and are farily hardy crops which the bugs don’t like them and they can sustain quite long periods without water

2. There is a high demand for certain species of chillies locally and on the export market

3. You can produce and harvest chillies all year round

4. They are ideal for small landowners. We have harvested and sold almost 200kgs of chillies in the last four months

The long term plan here is to ensure a solid market with a fair price for farmers in Muhaka. The price of dried chillies is much better than fresh ones but obviously you need a lot more dried chillies to make it a viable business. I was really pleased the other day when a farmer came with ten kgs of dried chillies that he harvested from his own farm so not only did we manage to sell them for him, but we were so pleased by his efforts that we offered to pay for the first term of child’s secondary school fees. Hopefully this is just the beginning…

And besides the chilli sauce we are making from these little critters is guaranteed to keep your bosses on their toes (place your orders for the special brew here)…

Background

Camp Kenya has been working with the communities of Makongeni and Muhaka for 9 and 4 years respectively, to improve living standards and access to educational resources for local people through it’s volunteer programmes. In this part of Kenya, it’s estimated that around 70% of people are living below the poverty line and do not have access to proper educational facilities or healthcare.

Many children live in unsanitary conditions where many are suffering from debilitating intestinal worm infestations and diarrhoea, resulting in stunted development and disease in young children. Those under 5 years of age are most at risk. Lack of proper medical facilities, poor nutrition and inadequate public and personal health education further compound the problem.

Figure 1. 2010-2011 figures for Muhaka dispensary.

March 2011 – Launched the first Anti-jigger campaign in Kwale

In March, Camp Kenya partnered with a national initiative to provide anti-jiggers treatment to the people of Makongeni and surrounding villages. Jiggers is a painful parasitic infection, most commonly affecting the feet, caused by the chigoe flea (Tunga penetrans). If left untreated it can lead to more serious secondary infections, expensive medical bills and loss of study time for children. It also increases the risk of spreading HIV as people share the needles that they use to remove the flea larvae. Although Camp Kenya has been treating jiggers on a small scale for a number of years, the number of cases this year has been significantly higher. Ahadi Kenya and Safaricom donated medication and in one day, with the help of our volunteers, we successfully treated 280 children.

Healthcare Outreach Expedition

In November 2011, 25 dedicated volunteers from the medical profession travelled from the UK to Kenya in order to take part in our pioneering new programme. The group comprised mainly practice nurses, but also GP’s and healthcare assistants. Over the course of two weeks, they ran 8 free medical clinics for the local community, providing treatment and advise on nutrition, sexual health and hygiene, but with their main focus on  the treatment and eradication of jiggers.

Here are just some of their achievements:

¥  The team ran 8 clinics in the villages of Makongeni, Muhaka, Madago, Fihoni, Kilole, Mkwambani, Magaoni and Zigira
¥  During the course of 2 weeks, the team successfully treated 7,444 medical incidences  (see figure 2)
¥  In one day the team managed to treat 150 children and over 500 adults!

The volunteers also treated as many houses as they could and provided flip flops to the children to avoid re-infection

Figure 2. The number of medical incidences treated during the expedition. Many people were treated for 3 or 4 different ailments at the same time and every patient was de-wormed.

The Future

Following the overwhelming success of this year’s expedition, we have already launched two expeditions for 2012, one in Kenya and one in Cambodia. Our long-term vision is to be able to provide this programme in all our destinations, particularly Tanzania and Cambodia, to provide clinics at all our camps and to provide medical support to the community on a more regular basis.

Improving the community dispensary

Muhaka dispensary was opened in 1943 and until recently has been the only dispensary to serve 18,000 people in this area. The dispensary has no ambulance and thus the community depends on Msambweni district hospital for emergency cases. At times the dispensary treats patients who need quick attention before referral but there is no room to keep them for observation or emergency rest. Even if patients are physically able to travel to the main hospital independently, the cost of transport makes it virtually impossible for them. Camp Kenya’s next priority is to improve the infrastructure of the dispensary so that it can provide a more comprehensive service for its patients. (For more information on how you can help, please visit the Camps International Foundation HERE)

THANK YOU

A special thanks to the local government authorities of Kwale District and the dedication of the nurses visiting from the UK. In addition, we would like to thank the following for their generous contributions towards the purchase of medication of which it would not have been possibe to treat as many people as we did:

Harley’s Limited

Kinondo Kwetu

Sai Pharmaceuticals

Rafiki Kenia

Ahadi Kenya Trust

And a big thanks to Megan Cook, Pat Bogue, Alison Thayne (aka Happy Feet!) and everyone else that made a contribution in one form or the other…

About a year ago we were approached by a group of nurses who were keen to get out of their comfy practices and give their time to communities who really needed their help…and so our Healthcare Outreach Programme was born. Last week a group of 23 healthcare professionals (and a couple of chaps who wanted to tag along) flew out to Kenya for two weeks of sun, sea, sand and jiggers (Google it!) and halfway through their programme they seem to be having a whale of a time.  In their own words…

“[We are] having the most unbelievably amazing time! Hot, sweaty and knackered but enjoying being with some great people and seeing some extraordinary things. It’s going to be hard to explain just what it’s like here. Treating hundreds of people with a variety of hideous ailments and treating the dreaded “jiggers” in kids and some adults. ?Have ridden a camel and seen some elephants and monkeys so far. Two more days of work then beach day and then…Safari!”

“Having amazing time, did clinic yesterday. We saw over 500 in 6 hours…. Off to a different village today to do it all over again. The organiser said it was a record!…”

“Another busy clinic today, going out to remote villages who haven’t seen healthcare at all before. Lovely kids have smuggled a few!”

“On our way back to camp now for shower and tea. Wormed 540 school kids! Searing heat! Nose looks like rudolf as so red!!…I love it here!!!”

Keep an eye out for more updates on what this incredible team have achieved during their short time in Africa

It’s never easy to write an obituary and I have no intention of doing so. A great global leader died yesterday, one of our own…Mama Maathai!

Indeed she was a nobel prize winner, she walked with great people like President Obama and appeared on the Oprah show and all the rest. But to many Kenyans, she is one of ours because we remember her for never giving up a fight against injustice, corruption and greed and for being that one person who was never to great to forget the most important things in life are right in front of us – like planting a tree and watering it…and that is what we will remember you for…your humility and remaining part of us wananchi…

Only a week ago, we were celebrating Peace One Day in Kenya with the opening of a new kitchen at Ngonzini Primary School next to Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary where we have run projects and commemorated Peace One Day for the past three years running. Thanks to all our volunteers, we achieved this in a very short space of time:

And last week, we officially opened the kitchen with two energy efficient stoves on Peace One Day which will reduce the amount of fuel wood required by at least 50%…

I think she would be proud of us. I think this is how she believed in tackling the divide between the environment, wildlife and people. It’s not just about the tree, or the elephant or the person; it’s about the interdependency between all living creatures and it’s about doing your bit, no matter how great the challenge is, like this little hummingbird…

We would like to dedicate this kitchen to Mama Wangari Maathai and in doing so, I hope it’s not just words that you will be remembered for but your actions that have inspired us all.

Amani…