Kenya - 2008

American Red Cross Humanitarian Visit to Kenya

Our visits took place in Western Kenya and included Kisumu, Busia, Mayenji, Sega and Nairobi.The focus of our visit to Kenya was on HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and measles --preventable or treatable conditions that account for over 14 million deaths annually in developing countries. In addition, clean, affordable, accessible water and proper sanitation were explored . Our visit helped us understand first-hand about how these complex health issues impact the people of Kenya and provided us with a better understanding of the positive impact the Red Cross has had, and continues to have, on this area.

The visits encompassed an area where some of the most vulnerable people in Africa live. For the Red Cross, this is a priority region and there are a number of programs operating there including an integrated health initiative for people living with HIV/AIDS. This region has some of the highest levels of HIV infection in Africa. The people suffering from decreased immune systems due to the disease are more susceptible to malaria and water born diseases--also highly prevalent in these areas.

Photo: Girl outside of home in Mayenji. Father is beneficiary of Red Cross HIV/AIDS program.

Kenya is mainly an agricultural country with a population of approximate 34 million people, of whom 80 percent live in rural areas. The main environmental problems are soil erosion and desertification because of deforestation. This has had a serious effect on the livelihoods of communities. HIV/AIDS has taken a heavy toll in Kenya with an adult prevalence rate of 5.1 percent (with 1.2 million people living with HIV/AIDS). The average life expectancy is 46.3 years.It is estimated that 38% of the population have no access to an adequate, safe water supply and 52% lack access to adequate and appropriate sanitation, (UNICEF 2006).

In Busia we met with HIV/Aids support group members. Participants included delegates from the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter, American Red Cross National Headquarters, Washington D.C., delegates from the Kenya Red Cross (Nyanza Region), International Committee of the Red Cross (Nairobi), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Eastern Africa Zone & Nairobi).

Participants from the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter, American Red Cross National Headquarters, Washington D.C., delegates from the Kenya Red Cross (Nyanza Region), International Committee of the Red Cross (Nairobi), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Eastern Africa Zone & Nairobi).

In Busia we met with HIV/Aids support group members.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” -- Margaret Meade

Photo: Members of the Red Cross team giving out mosquito netting to the attendees of the meeting in Busia.

In Mayenji we conducted home visits to Red Cross beneficiaries living with HIV/AIDS.

Photo: Mother[blue hat] and children who are beneficiaries of the Red Cross program)in front of their home.

In the past some of those suffering with HIV/AIDS were left to die in shame due to ignorance and stigma. Some families would also neglect their kin because they did not know how to care for them. However, with the introduction of the family health and home based care program and through training provided to the family care providers, most families have accepted and learned to care for the sick person at home. The contribution and involvement of the HIV program beneficiaries themselves in providing home-based care has contributed to a substantial decrease of HIV/AIDS related stigma. These volunteers feel empowered by the realization that they can play a vital role in improving their own health and well-being as well as members of their communities.

Photo: Inside the home of the Red Cross beneficiaries where we talked about the positive results of the care they were receiving. This woman is now a Red Cross volunteer for the program.

Photo: Child in Mayenji suffering from HIV/AIDS - beneficiary of Red Cross program.

Photo: Susan Atherton, American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter Chairperson with child of HIV/AIDS mother. The Mother is a beneficiary of the Red Cross program and is a Red Cross volunteer.

Photo: Inside home of Red Cross beneficiary in Mayenji. All of the homes we visited were one room mud buildings with straw roofs. The floors were mud as well and each person/family had very few furnishings. There was no running water or sanitation facilities within the homes.

The Red Cross has found that the most effective way to reach and help the people in Kenya is by educating and mobilizing community-based volunteers and empowering them to help their own communities. People in these communities listen and trust the volunteers because they are not outsiders, but instead are trusted community members.

Photo: Kenya Red Cross group in the home of an HIV/AIDS beneficiary. The Red Cross home health care volunteer (orange dress) also participated in our visit.

While there are still those who refuse to even be tested for the disease due to the fear of being rejected or cast out by their family, many more people now, such as the beneficiaries we visited, are very open about living with HIV and about how the Red Cross has changed their lives.

Photo: Kenya Red Cross group at home of HIV/AIDS beneficiary (far left, sitting).

By integrating malaria, water /sanitation and HIV/AIDS home based care programs, a single village based volunteer is able to address these interlinking health issues during visits to community member homes. This approach ensures that those living with HIV receive mosquito nets and safe water-treatment systems that they are being used properly and that information regarding treatment and prevention is understood.

Photo: Kenya Red Cross home care volunteer at home of HIV/AIDS beneficiary (far left, sitting).

Photo: Kenya Red Cross volunteer with children of HIV/AIDS beneficiary.

Many Kenya Red Cross volunteers access rural villages via bicycles.

In Sega, we visited the Sega Cottage Hospital. Susan Atherton Chairperson of the American Red Cross Chapter Bay Area donated a beautiful luncheon buffet for those in attendance to enjoy. The luncheon was a "thank you" to Red Cross Volunteers and program participants for their help.

Photo: Meeting attendees.

Children from the Sega School also attended the meeting and luncheon at the Sega Cottage Hospital.

In Nairobi we visited the Kenya Red Cross Society Karen Langata Branch. Presentations were given by orphans and vulnerable children from the Children of Mercy Club. Members of the Red Cross group gave presentatons on how the HIV/AIDS program has impacted the region.

Presentation by Kenya Red Cross Society Karen Langata Branch teacher demonstrating how games (example: spin the wheel quiz) are used to help the children learn about how to prevent HIV/AIDS.

Kenya Red Cross Society Karen Langata Branch-presentation by members of our Red Cross group (Bigambo Nandiga and Jane Wachira of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society and Susan Atherton of American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter)

School children attending presentations at the Kenya Red Cross Society Karen Langata Branch.