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Gillian Ice, PhD, MPH |
| Background The continuing HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa is creating a tremendous economic and social burden in Africa. Kenya is among the 9 hardest hit countries, with an estimated 2.1 million people infected and approximately 550,000 children are orphaned. The Kenyan Children’s Fund (KCF) was formed in response to a cry for help from the people of Nyanza Province in Kenya, where approximately 40% of adults are HIV positive. KCF is a registered non-profit in the state of Ohio. Each year we raise money for specific programs to benefit children affected by HIV/AIDS in Kenya, where the OU College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Department of African Studies have long standing research and service projects. This year’s project is aimed at raising money to provide uniforms for 600 orphaned children in Nyando District of Nyanza Province 2003 Project In 2003, the Kenyan Children’s Fund with the aid of SOMA, NOWPA, the International Medicine Club and the Institute for the African Child raised over $3,000. These funds were used rebuild a dormitory at the Jaber Primary School and Orphanage in Muhoroni, Kenya. This dormitory will house approximately 40 students. |
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| 2004 Project Kenyan children are required to purchase uniforms if they would like to attend school. Although uniforms only cost between $5-8, this amount of money is over half what most grandparent caregivers make in a month. The elders that care for orphaned grandchildren in this region of Kenya are caring for an average of 4 children, some care for up to 10 children. With many mouths to feed, uniforms and clothing are often the last priority yet education is critical in the fight against this devastating epidemic. |
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In March 2004, with the help of SOMA, NOWPA, the Christian Medical and Dental Association, the Institute for the African Child, Department of Social Medicine, Iceworks Building and Remodelling and Larry Conrath Realty, and many other donors, we raised almost $4,000. Donors included: BW3, Little Professor, Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, The Westin Cincinnati at Fountain Square, Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, Westin Park Central, Sheraton Suites Lexington, Sheraton Gateway Hotel, Atlanta, Le Centre Sheraton Montreal, Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort, Westin Copley Place, Boston, Sheraton Music City, Nashville and the Internal Medicine Club at TCOM.
With these funds we were able to provide uniforms to 420 orphaned children in need. The children were so proud to display their new uniforms.
2005 Project
In 2005, with the help of many people at the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Institute for the African Child as well as several local and national donors, we were able to raise about $7,000. With these funds, we decided to provide school bags and books for children. We gave out 400+ bags that contained three books, math, English and Kiswahili texts for the appropriate grade level. Students were so excited to have their own books and a great backpack.
2006 Projects
In 2006, with our usual support through our annual dinner and raffle we were able to raise about $5000. This enabled us to provide approximately 700 children with school uniforms. Once again, they were excited to exchange their worn and torn uniforms for brand new school uniforms. Several children were able to re-enroll in school after receiving their uniform. In addition to the uniforms, fundraising efforts by a local Athens mother’s group enabled us to place three water wells in three different communities. Clean water is scarce in western Kenya. Due to the lack of water, many children suffer from severe diarrheal disease. The communities continue to thank us for their water wells and pumps. Finally, in 2006 we joined forces with SHARE Kenya to help build a permanent clinic in Masara. This provides healthcare to an extremely underserved area.
2007 Project
In 2007, with our usual fundraising efforts were raised $3000. We are very excited to report that this year we were able to provide approximately 900 orphaned children with shoes and mathematics sets. Although it was a small gift to the children, they were very excited to receive them. Most children in this area do not own a pair of shoes and orphans are especially likely to be without them. Children without shoes are vulnerable to injuries which often lead to tropical ulcers, endangering their health. The mathematic kit which includes a protractor, ruler and other supplies is required for the national examination. Without it students are unable to take the exam and will not be able to advance in school.
2008/2009 Project
We are currently raising funds to enable us to support 2000 children in 2009. While in Kenya in the summer of 2008 we identified many more orphans at schools with which we had not previously worked. In addition, the epidemic continues to take the lives of parents. In 2008, the post-election violence and turmoil led to tremendous job loss and food shortages. We fear that the number of orphans will greatly increase by the time we return in January 2009. So this year, we have our greatest fundraising goal to date -- $10,000. Please help us reach that goal.
Rich Jagolta, Trip Jagolta and Katya Jagoltaf of Salem, MA are organizing a fundraiser in collaboration with the Brookwood School on Saturday, June 7, 2008. The event will be held at the Hasting House community center at 14 Oak Street, Beverly Farms (directly across the street from the Beverly Farms train station) from 7-10 PM. (see the following for more information)
If you are interested in donating or getting involved contact Gillian H. Ice, PhD, MPH (President) or Cheri Sheets (Secretary/Treasurer)