By Merry Broughal | Project Leader
You are saving lives!
I cannot thank everyone enough for your generous donations that continue to impact the lives of those who would go without urgent medical care due to their poverty. And I pass on to you also the “thank you” from the mothers in Oyugis who express their sincere thankfulness for helping their children in their time of need.
Early this year we learned of a young boy, Jacity, who was very ill with both malaria and typhoid and unable to pay for treatment. In many cases these two diseases require strong medications. Usually people are sent home to recover, but in Jacity’s case the doctor admitted him for two days because he had “very strong malaria.” Jacity is well today because Olalo was able to cover the hospital and medicine expenses...a total of $57.
We recently heard there were several cases of rabies/deaths among the people because of a rash of bites by dogs that roam the streets. Olalo has been called upon twice already since January to cover the cost of rabies shots. First for a young boy and later for an adult woman. They had been bitten by dogs, neither of which could afford the series of shots needed to stop the progression of the disease.
The World Health Organization reports an estimated 2,000 people die annually of rabies after being bitten by rabid dogs in Kenya.
“The medical costs associated with treatment after a person has been bitten by a rabid dog is estimated at US$170.00 in Kenya,” says James Macharia, Cabinet Secretary for Health. “This represents considerable financial hardship to a poor household.”
This is a true statement…it is a hardship for poor households and many times unattainable so they go without treatment with dismal consequences. Olalo has established good working relationships with local doctors and hospitals, so we are grateful the cost to Olalo has been much less than the $170 quoted by the Cabinet Secretary for Health.
You are also making life better in Oyugis!
Our multi-vitamin distribution program is a work-in-progress. Currently we are identifying the first 500 people to participate in the program. The program will kick-off with a gathering of our first recipients for a presentation by a local doctor to explain the benefits and importance of taking a daily vitamin.
It is an exciting time to see the progress being made to make life better in Oyugis, Kenya.
Thank YOU for making it all possible!
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By Merry Broughal | Project Leader
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