What’s in our August 2021 Newsletter: Notes from the Field - Covid Spiking in Kenya ~ Sneak Preview of October’s Into Africa Auction ~ Pre-Law Student Finds Career Inspiration with P4P ~ Grants Make Education Possible for Kenyan Children ~ Safe Hugs All Around

If you haven’t got any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble. ~ Bob Hope

Notes from the Field 

By Nereah Obura, P4P Kenya Program Coordinator

Dear P4P Friend,

Kenya is grappling with the rapid spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant. The western counties (where Kopanga is located) recently locked down, and Nairobi is threatened as well. 

As of August 4, 2021, there were 206,691 confirmed coronavirus cases and 4,025 deaths countrywide. Infections are rapidly increasing, however, with an average of 964 new infections reported daily. The relatively low fatality rate is due to Kenya’s young population, fewer co-morbidities and less obesity.

How will Kenya fare this time round? This is the BIG question. The government reacted fairly quickly to the previous three waves, but currently the public is facing pandemic fatigue.

Only about 2 percent (1,741,581 doses) of the population has been vaccinated due to limited vaccine supplies. Vaccine rollout so far has been limited to COVAX supplies (COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access) and donations. So far, Astra Zeneca has been the only vaccine available but, others, including Johnson and Johnson and Pfizer, are expected in August.  There are ambitious plans to vaccinate the entire adult population by 2022.

What needs to be done?
•    More testing, contact tracing and reporting must be accelerated. Currently testing is limited, constraining both clinical care and COVID-19 tracking.
•    Hospital bed availability across the country must be better coordinated.
•    The government and health officials must use local knowledge and networks to rapidly scale up vaccinations.
•    The government must deliver more oxygen facilities to the public hospitals.
•    Kenyans themselves have a responsibility to take precautions and get vaccinated.

Thanks to generous donors and supporters like you, P4P has been able to do one thing that directly impacts families suffering from COVID related shutdowns, unemployment, lack of vaccines and illness. As of June, we had distributed a total of 976 baskets of food to vulnerable households. Baskets contain maize, beans, sugar, salt, cooking oil and a bar of soap. Another 50 baskets will be given out to the Power of Milk families this month.  

Sneak Preview of October’s Into Africa Auction

This year’s auction will again be a virtual event, and just like last year’s successful fundraiser, we’ll have dozens of amazing items, experiences, food and libations for you to bid on. Here’s a teaser of what you can expect:

Ready to get away? Escape to a studio condo at the fabulous Stoneridge Resort in Blanchard, Idaho. The resort amenities are endless: mini-golf, a huge rec center with a full basketball court, indoor saltwater pool, saunas, hot tub and tennis. The lodge-themed condo studio sleeps four and has a full kitchen, super comfy beds and private balconies. This package is available ONLY October 22 through October 29, 2021.

How does a Bottomless Cookie Jar sound? Four dozen homemade cookies and five refills. Yummy, that’s how that sounds.

Or a $500 discount on a luxury cruise? You know you’re ready to travel again and this package gives you several cruise lines and destinations to choose from.

Does your décor need perking up? We have unique art pieces including mesmerizing batiks of Maasai warriors, colorful prints by famed Jamaican artist Bernard Stanley Hoyes and spectacular African carvings.  

Do you have some little ones to entertain? They’ll love the Imagination Station, a big wooden chest filled with dress-up outfits for hours of make believe. 

Locally made pottery, fabric bags, themed-baskets, specialty food items and restaurant and winery options round out the choices. This is just a preview. Much, much more to come.

Mark your calendar
Silent, online auction: October 4, 9am through October 10, 5pm.
Live-streaming auction: October 7, 7pm till 8pm.

We are seeking sponsors for this years’ event. Please contact peggy.gallinger.p4p@gmail.com if you are interested in helping to underwrite P4P's 2021 Into Africa Auction.

A special thank you to this year's sponsors!

Pre-Law Student Finds Career Inspiration with P4P

By Reneé Sandee, Communications Committee

A class project put Whitworth University student Courtney Iseman in contact with Partnering for Progress, but it was the photographs of our Kenya partners and our work there that drew her to become more involved with P4P.
 
“Last fall I enrolled in Dr. Megan Hershey’s Introduction to Development class,” Courtney says. “We produced  different advertisements for P4P, and my small group made a brochure for the program. After the semester, I felt compelled to volunteer with P4P.” 

Courtney is now using her abundant talent to make videos and posters for us. Her current project is videos for this October’s Into Africa Auction. 

“I appreciate that P4P works directly with the people in the villages in Kenya, ” she says.

Currently a junior at Whitworth University, Courtney is studying pre-law as a political science student with a minor in law and justice. She hopes to attend law school and pursue a career as an attorney in international diplomacy and development. For the summer however, she’s all about fun, games and kids in her job as a camp counselor at the YMCA. 

“Working with children is amazing. We go on field trips, make crafts, play games, and sing camp songs throughout the day. I love it.”

Courtney says she adores philosophy, and when she’s not studying or working, she enjoys reading books about social justice and progress. Right now, she’s digging into Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Between the World and Me. Courtney will be traveling to Tanzania in the spring of 2022 to study abroad with her professors Dr. Megan Hershey and Dr. Alisha Epps.

Grants Make Education Possible for Kenyan Children

Generous grants from two Spokane area service clubs will make continuing education possible for a group of Kopanga students. Thank you to the Aurora Northwest Rotary Club for their generous $1,000 grant and the Kiwanis Club of East Spokane for a significant grant of $500.

Grants such as these are critical to P4P’s scholarship program. The generosity of these service clubs will support education, room and board for students who would otherwise not be able to attend high school. Asante sana!

Safe Hugs All Around

Since sending a card is the safest way to “send” a hug these days, P4P created a way for you to do just that when you purchase P4P note cards. In the process, the money raised from card sales will go toward supporting our Kenya programs. 

Cards went on sale last month and were a big hit. To date, we have raised $1,461. In a round-about way, everyone who purchased cards is sending a big hug to our Kenya friends.

Only 12 card packages are still available. Photos of adorable children, students and farmers smile at your from each card. A set of eight cards with envelopes is $25. Go to P4P Photo Greeting Cards to place your order.