Economic Development Committee Report

By Traci Anderson, Committee Chair

A total of four groups are currently doing table banking. This economic development model consists of a group of people who meet once a month, place their savings, loan repayments and other contributions on the table then borrow from those funds for long term or short term loans.

An update on the status of determining an Income Generating Activity (IGA): The goal of the IGA project is to determine a business need/gap in the community that P4P can help get started and will become self-sustaining in order to fund health, education and water projects. Our consultant, Sylvester Oduor, reports that household surveys will be done soon, the Kenyan stakeholders have given input. Once the IGA ideas have been narrowed down to the three, Sylvester will perform a market analysis on each and report to our committee. These ideas will then be presented to the board.

The Economic Development Committee prioritized next year's activities as follows:

• Continue the farming project with ten farmers for two seasons, possibly recruiting Power of Milk families as potential farmers

• Offer business opportunities to five groups with a $200 grant

• Develop IGA project plan and timeline

Trip Report

by Sandy Ivers, Trip Co-Leader

Our medical team of three doctors, one physician's assistant and three medical assistants saw over 556 patients in five days, an impressive average of 139 patients per provider.

We treated 30 young children from a local orphanage for scabies. This required visits to seven pharmacies in Migori to acquire enough medicine to treat the children and their caretakers.

We inspected 300 children's mouths and applied dental fluoride varnish. Each child received a toothbrush, instruction on proper oral hygiene and health education.

As education officer Deborah O'Ochienge told me, "Education is a load that packs tight and travels lightly." I interviewed parents of five of our scholarship students. They expressed much gratitude for the opportunity P4P has provided for their children and realize that their lives have been changed due to the scholarship program. Three of the interviewees' students are now involved in post-secondary education. They still have their challenges with financial security, but all are so thankful for what they have received.

A principal at one of the area primary schools told us that these scholarships are positive not only for the students receiving them but also for other students who are now more engaged in their studies.

We started measuring and making diagrams for the Water Committee to help determine roof dimensions of schools, and therefore the amount of water that will be collected through rain runoff. Nereah and Charles Atta received measurement equipment and instructions so they can continue to collect the data and forward it to the Water Committee.

My overall impression is that life is still rough in Kopanga/Giribe, but things are slowly getting better. I would not say all these changes are due to P4P's influence, but I do think that P4P has added energy to this community and has given some individuals a sense of purpose and a desire to work for improvements that they can make for themselves and their community.

August Wyssman, CMA, Spokane Teaching Health Clinic in Family Medicine Residency

I came home from Kenya with a renewed passion for my profession and a great desire to keep helping in any way I can. 

My biggest takeaway from the trip was how kind the people were. Even when they were sick, or hurt, or just having a hard day, they always treated us well. This was a big departure from the way medical work is treated in the US and definitely a welcome change.

I was amazed to see how prevalent malaria and scabies are in this area because they are barely seen here.

When I discussed hand-washing techniques and the importance of clean water with the patients in the waiting area before they were seen (with the help of a translator), many of the adults were mesmerized to learn that the germs on their hands could make them sick.

The children were wonderful. They were open and receptive to the having their teeth varnished, which must have seemed like such an odd and foreign activity.

I saw P4P meeting its mission in a variety of ways and I would definitely encourage others to volunteer in whatever way they feel is best for them.

Renee Reedy, Community Health Worker and Medical Assistant at CHAS

It is hard to put into words what this trip meant to me. I would go back in a heartbeat. The highlight of my trip was working with the children and babies enrolled in the Power of Milk program. I think about two of them, Linda and Peter, every day.

After clinic, I was able to play a game with some of the village children. We handed rocks back and forth with me asking how many they had. It was a simple interaction that delighted them. I told as many as I could that they are special and I would never forget them.

I also enjoyed attending the farmer meeting with Sandy and learning about their successes. They appreciate the fertilizer and seeds that P4P provides and in turn, they would like to spread the good fortune to more farmers. I would encourage the continuation of this program which will allow the farmers to generate income and which in turn, stimulates the economy.

I have never traveled to a Third World country and have never been stared at like I was in Kenya. It was a little uncomfortable at first but once I realized how valuable it is to react in a positive way, I saw that such kindness can change the world. Hopefully, people will remember the kindness the "mzunga" showed them.

I encourage people to step outside of their comfort zone, volunteer and GO. It was worth every immunization, layover, and hours of sleep deprivation. I received so much more in return and I am forever changed. There is no way I could have an experience like this and not be called to do more.

Claire Phillips, Patient Services Coordinator at CHAS

This was an eye-opening, once-in-a-lifetime experience and it was beyond amazing. From elderly people to children, I have never seen so many grateful faces. All of the people were so welcoming.

I would most definitely encourage other people to volunteer. Knowing how many people we were able to help in such a short time has given me the desire to volunteer more and I hope to be able to help the people in Kopanga/Giribe in the future in any way I am capable.

Cameryn Flynn, SNAP Health and Transportation Services Coordinator

The Kenyan government has instituted a goal of providing free, quality preschool education for children ages three through six. However, they have provided limited resources to meet this goal. I went to Kenya to train some preschool teachers.

The classroom situation and staffing levels are dire. As many as 75 to 200 children are crammed into a single classroom where they are taught by only one or two teachers. Imagine that many young children in one room with not nearly enough teachers and aids, limited resources, dirt floors and no desks.

In a future newsletter, I will provide more details on the training I provided and what will be needed to make this program viable.

Frances Frick, Retired

I was thrilled to go on the P4P trip to Kenya to see all the National Geographic and nature shows come to life in a dream come true.

The dozen early childhood education teachers I helped assist Cam Flynn teach were very excited and attentive to the learning methods presented. They will take what they have learned and teach forward to others in Kenya. They would not have had this opportunity without P4P's help. Teaching is the most highly respected profession in Kenya, but teacher salaries seem to be a matter of contention there just as they are in many other parts of the world.

A couple of lessons I learned: let the locals do the driving; motorcycles are taxis; don't count your money openly.

Jambo Friends and Supporters

This little guy was one of over 300 children who received special protection last month when travelers visited the Ogada Clinic in Kopanga, Kenya. Our trained providers applied fluoride varnish to children's teeth to prevent decay. Health care and disease prevention is only one of the programs your support makes possible.

To date, P4P has helped 20 high school students graduate. Another 21 are now enrolled.

Additionally, we installed seven rainwater catchment tanks in 2018.

But the most forward-looking project now underway is in the area of sustainability. P4P will embark on an income generating project in 2019 to help the people in 26 villages raise funds to support the programs themselves rather than relying solely on P4P funding. We do not yet know what type of business it will be, and the communities are meeting now to give us recommendations.

YOUR support is making all the difference in our work transforming thousands of lives. We are deeply grateful.

Dia Maurer for P4P Board of Directors

Welcome New Board Member

Eileen Dugger has joined Partnering for Progress' Board of Directors. No stranger to P4P, Eileen has contributed gorgeous cakes to Into Africa Auction's dessert dash. As a former contracts and public information specialist with the Ponderay Public Utility District, she brings expertise in community outreach, computer skills and organizational dynamics to her involvement with P4P. Eileen will be a big asset to next year's auction as well as the Board of Directors.