KENYA CELEBRATES THE NEW CONSTITUTION

The Order of Malta was invited to join many international dignitaries and other members of the diplomatic corps in Kenya. It was a truly magnificent display of the Kenya armed forces - with many of the tanks and planes on display. The celebrations also included a 21-gun salute.

The crowd was estimated to be in excess of 150,000 people, and thankfully passed off peacefully. The Archbishop of Nairobi, Cardinal John Njue, was invited to lead prayers for the future of Kenya. The celebrations then continued with lunch at State House.

VISITORS FROM UK

Peter, Charlotte and Amy Loyd visited Kenya at the end of July. Whilst here they spent much time at the Malteser International clinics in Nairobi, as well as a very happy morning at the Terry Hope Centre making and decorating face masks.

MALTESER INTERNATIONAL

COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS – TB PROJECT NAIROBI SLUMS

We are launching a special appeal to pay the annual costs of the volunteer Community Health Workers in the Order of Malta’s Worldwide Relief project in Nairobi run by Malteser International.

Their success to date has reduced TB by 70% in the areas in which they operate.

These volunteers live in the slum areas and seek out TB sufferers to bring into the clinics, then care for the sick at home and ensure that all TB patients take their medication on a daily basis.

They are happy to work for one euro per day, but there are further costs in administration and support. For every Community Health Worker we need £33, or for each clinic £200 per month.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) set benchmarks for TB control and the Order of Malta has enabled these to be exceeded in all their clinics.

These are the Malteser International outcomes:

• TB treatment success rate of 95% (WHO benchmark – 85%)
• TB treatment case detection rate of 70% (WHO benchmark – 70%)
• TB cases tested for HIV is now 95% (WHO benchmark – 90%)
• TB treatment defaulter rate is less than 5%

Kenya ranks 13th on the list of 22 high-burden tuberculosis countries and has the fifth highest burden in Africa. Tuberculosis is a major cause of illness and death in the country. Each year 110,000 people in Kenya are diagnosed with the disease.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 50 per cent of people living with HIV are also infected with TB. In the urban slums of Nairobi people live in tiny spaces; without sewage, power or water. These conditions provide the perfect breeding ground for TB.

TB is curable when treated with special antibiotics for six to twelve months. The largest barrier to successful treatment is that patients tend to stop taking their medication because they begin to feel better. It is important to finish medications in order to completely eradicate the TB bacteria from the body.

If the initial course of antibiotics is not completed, further treatment can take much longer. Directly Observed Therapy (DOT’s) is the heart of the WHO top TB strategy and a key role of the Community Health Workers.

To support this vital work please donate via:
www.justgiving.com/orderofmaltakenya

TERRY HOPE CENTRE

It is with great pride and joy that we were able to inform the Hope Self Help Group that we would be handing the Terry Hope Centre back to their care by the end of 2010.

The Hope Self Help Group started the orphan feeding project in April 2003. The Order of Malta began assisting them in early 2008 and during that time we have been able to support them financially to establish a wonderful centre for the children.

The driving force behind the centre has been a combination of Terry Stobbs and Lydia Githinji. They have developed the centre beyond all recognition. The Order of Malta has assisted them in their endeavours.

Through many generous donors we have been able to provide the children with a new hall, kitchen, fence, gate, water tank, two lavatories, climbing frame, ground surface, clothes, shoes, toys, games and of course the vital supply of weekly food.

We feel very hopeful that the Terry Hope Centre will continue to go from strength to strength and although not directly involved, we will certainly watch with interest to see their development.

We have a wonderful selection of items from Kenya for sale on our online shop. There is something for everyone; men, women, children and the home.

To avoid disappointment please place your orders early to give time for it to arrive from Kenya. Visit our online shop...

Happy Shopping!

LAMU DISTRICT HOSPITAL MATERNITY SHELTER

After many months of consideration we are now focussed on providing a Maternity Shelter at Lamu District Hospital. There is still some way to go until it will be fully operational, but we have clear vision as to what is required and how it will benefit the people of Lamu District.

The figures for childbirth mortality in Lamu District are the highest in Kenya, and the provision of facilities the lowest. Maternal mortality in Lamu is estimated at over 1,000 per 100,000 live births, compared to the national figure for Kenya of 414 per 100,000 live births.

The doctor in charge at Lamu District Hospital estimates that 80% of live births currently take place at home. The next stage for the Order of Malta is to construct the shelter that will house the women during the last stages of their pregnancy. We hope that the structure will be complete
by spring 2011.

ST JOHN AMBULANCE, KENYA

We are pleased to make ties with St John Ambulance in Kenya. They began operating in Kenya in 1928 and are extremely highly regarded here.

They operate in all areas of Kenya with over 16,750 volunteers across the country providing first aid, health care and emergency services to all humanity irrespective of colour, class or creed.

Three quarters of their volunteers are young people, securing the future of their work here for many years to come.

The work of St John Ambulance and the Order of Malta crosses in many areas and we greatly look forward to working more closely with them in the future.