Kageno Blog

The Kageno Harambee - A Village Event ! ! !

This year's event will be on October 30th from 6:30 - 9:30 pm in New York City at Gustavino's.

Funds raised from this evening will support Kageno Kenya's Nursery School and Primary School programs as well as transform the Kageno village in Banda, Rwanda into a place of opportunity and hope.

Following last years Not-So-Silent Auction, we are in the process of planning for an equally successful event this year. As of today, we already have confirmed attendance and participation from:

Meryl Streep

Pamela Fiori: Editor of Town & Country Magazine, UNICEF Board Member and recipient of The Audrey Hepburn Humanitarian Award.

Liya Kebede: Supermodel and World Health Organization's Goodwill Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.

Drena DeNiro

Julianne Nicholson

At last year's Not-So-Silent Auction, we had riveting speeches by Dr. Paul Farmer, Meryl Streep and Amy Vedder. This years silent auction and dinner is not to be missed!

A formal invitation along with response card will be sent out in a few weeks. Updates will also be posted on our website www.kageno.org and blog.

Hope you can make it!

Frank Andolino

Co-Founder / Co-Director

DHF Follow Up...

Dreyfus Health Foundation-Rusinga Island, Lake Victoria

In July 2006, DHF organized a workshop for Kageno Kenya Trust on Rusinga Island. This was a three day workshop and 28 community members were trained as problem solvers in a program called Problem Solving for Better Health (PSBH). After the three days, the participants were awarded merit certificates as problem solvers for better health.

The training emphasized on communication and collaboration locally and internationally to accelerate progress towards better health for all people. The community members and the trainees were very happy to meet the DHF directors including Pamela, Ruth and Mary among other visitors from all over Africa and the US.

The training was as well focused on innovation and flexible approaches that emphasize individual and group responsibility, new ideas, action and the optional use of locally available resources.
The training approach was more on brain-storming sessions instead of lectures, never the less it challenged individuals to rethink on their own roles and ways in solving problems The workshop was well-done and successful!

The participants were guided on proposal writing and after the training they developed their own proposals and realistic action plans. The proposals were on projects about the problems that they are facing in the community and the possible solutions for the problems and methodology that would be used in solving the problems.

We (Alphonce and Mary) had to visit several government offices to make it known that DHF is carrying out her operations in collaboration with KAGENO. We had positive ventures and a good start with the government officials. We visited the District Development Officer, District Social Development Officer, District Ministry of Health as well as the District Commissioner.

The DHF country representative worked tirelessly many time to re-visit with the participants on their proposals that were written and forwarded to DHF New York to re-work on the budget (action plan/work plan) as the budgets were a little high. The proposals were forwarded to DHF-New York and approved for funding for each of the projects. The community at large was very happy as the cheque was given to Kageno Director officially at a chiefs meeting by the area assistant chief.

Those that would benefit promised to work hard so that they realize there dreams of achieving there desired objectives. In addition they promised work hard and create impact to the community and improve the community health wise as problem solvers for better heath.

Alphonce Okuku
Director Kageno Kenya,

An update from Kageno Rwanda

Kevin Messacar & John Kurap report from Rwanda....

On our road trip through Rwanda, we had the opportunity to visit the
future site of the new Kageno project, the Banda community. After seeing
the previous Kageno project and it's impact on Rusinga Island, we were
excited to explore the future project at the ground stage.

The Banda community is nestled against the picturesque, untouched
Nyungwe National Forest, home to an abundance of rare primates. At the
bottom of a valley lies the small community with its farmlands terraced
along the banks of the mountainside. This unique location provides Banda
with a serene setting, however also contibutes to many of the
community's problems due to isolation and difficult geography for
agriculture.

The people of Banda were welcoming and eager to discuss the upcoming
Kageno project. Community leaders discussed with us the 3 biggest issues
facing their town: 1. Health Care 2. Job Opportunities and 3. Education.
The nearest clinic to Banda is a 3 hour walk, the nearest hospital 6
hours, requiring a long trek carrying a stretcher over mountainous
terrain for any access to medical care. The main and only source of work
is agriculture. However, due to the terrain the community cannot grow
enough crops to support their own needs, let alone export crops for
income. The community has a primary school, yet nearly none of their
students advance to secondary school as it is several hours walk away
and boarding is prohibitively expensive.

The prospects of a Kageno community center with a clinic to meet health
care needs, profit generating activities marketed towards the increasing
flow of tourists through the national forest, agricultural and
conservation education, and improved nursery and secondary school
access, are greeted with excitement by the community.

This community made it quite clear that they are not looking for a
handout, they want to make the Kageno project their own. Over 15
community members have donated plots of land for the future Kageno
project, an ideal site at the base of the valley between 2 rivers. The
community has also offered to provide all labor and supplies for the
construction of the center.

Standing on the site of the future Kageno 2 Project (above) with a
gathering of the local children, one could picture the future community
center and the developments it will bring for the Banda community.

An update from Kageno Kenya

The Kageno Kenya Team now has internet access and an e-mail account!
Below you will find reports from our VCT, Crafts Project, Sanitation Project and Youth Outreach Program.

On August 9th Thomas wrote…

Youth Outreach Program
Yesterday I met class with 2 classes from DR. Williams School and gave a presentation titled:

MY CHOICE IS LIFE … it was about HIV/AIDS.

The class was okay and we talked about the importance of knowing one’s HIV status for those who are in secondary school. Abstinence and proper use of condoms was discussed with the adolescents.
Attendance was good. There were 64 in number. I will meet with them once each week.

Today we added a lesson on school drop out with the Kageno football team. We discussed the reasons why some of our pupils are dropping out of school. Also, we finished the football tournament today… Kageno B won.
I have a sanitation program with the team on Kolunga beach on Sunday at 9:am.

Have a good time!

From Thomas

On August 14th Victor wrote….

Voluntary Counseling & Testing (VCT)
Greetings! I am happy to send to you our VCT July Report Form. Ruth and I are working on the way forward regarding the bi-weekly report.
Here below is the same:
Total No.of people seen 62
Total No. Tested 60

Females Tested 43
Negative 32
Positive 11

Males Tested 19
Negative 16
Positive 3

Couples tested together 0
Cases of discordance 0

We hope to see more people this month as we have intensified mobilization.

Regards,
Victor Odoyo
VCT counselor

On August 15th June wrote…

Crafts Project,
The numbers of women have increased and the work is hectic since we are making crafts and the tourists take them immediately.

I am trying to teach the women another skill, using banana fibre rather than hyacinth. The problem is that I lack exposure. From the time I came to Rusinga until this day I have not been to any other craft shops (like those in places like Nairobi, Arusha Tanzania, and many other). The only place that I know well is Kisumu, which is not enough. This has made me to be poor in mind i.e everything is water hyacinth. I am still using the little knowledge I brought back from Kisumu to teach the women and also to maintain the shop for tourists who are now coming in almost everyday.

Yours June

On August 20th Thomas wrote…

Sanitation Project
Today was the sanitation day for Kolunga beach.
The program was very good for the team, so I talked to the Beach Management Unit about repeating the event twice a month. We at Kageno are working together to improve the standard of cleanliness in Kolunga for better health. I will continue communicating about our work at Kageno.
Have a good time.

From Thomas.

The following is an article that appeared in the Bishop Lynch High School newspaper in Dallas, Texas as well as in the neighborhood section of the Dallas Morning News.

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TWO BISHOP LYNCH STUDENTS TAKE MISSION TRIP TO AFRICA
Senior Bishop Lynch students and Friar Football players, Davis Wiggins and Ross Gray, traveled to poverty-stricken Rusinga Island on the Kenyan shore of Lake Victoria to volunteer for the children of the fishing village’s community.
___________________________________________________________________________________________

August 3, 2006 - New York Orthodontist, Frank Andolino was on Mt. Kilimanjaro when he first heard about Rusinga Island. Andolino, who is a well renowned orthodontist in New York City, felt compelled to visit Rusinga Island where AIDS has ravaged the community. Because of the AIDS epidemic, 85 of the 185 preschool aged children are orphans, and up to 40% of the population is sick. The culture of the people will not allow adoption, but extended family takes on the responsibility for the children. However many of those extended family members have AIDS and well below the poverty line. Therefore there are prominent and basic needs for the children.
Andolino formed “Kageno”, a service organization with the philosophy to teach people how to provide for themselves, not to “over give.” For starters Kageno helped provide for anonymous aids testing, medications and organized support groups. The first structure Kageno built was a community center. Thanks to Kageno, construction for a new preschool is over 80% complete and equipped with a computer lab, internet access, generators, solar power panels for electricity and playground equipment. The playground equipment was put together by Bishop Lynch students Davis Wiggins and Ross Gray. During their 10-day mission they learned about the importance of community service.
“The experience has changed my life.” said Wiggins. “It has given me a new meaning to community service. We are so lucky to have all the things we need here. I don’t feel too bad anymore when something doesn’t quite work out for me.”
Since his visit, Gray wears a necklace and bracelet that some of the children made for him. “You think you know what poverty is but you really don’t until you see this place.” Said Gray, “Even though the conditions were horrible the people, especially the kids, have such a love for life. “More people here should have that spirit.”
Visit Kageno’s blog at www.kageno.typead.com to learn more.
Wiggins and Gray are planning to return next summer.

Construction of the new Kageno school is going smoothly, and looks almost ready for kids to occupy the buildings! And needless to say, the kids are really enthusiastic to have the playground at their disposal.

Harry has been working with children on the art project, and through some of the activities is able to teach them the basic principles of photography. This should be exciting for them, as anyone who's visited Africa knows how much children love to be in front of the camera.

The Kageno cyber cafe is picking up, and providing internet services to some who have never touched a computer before. People are being able to connect to the outside world, and be in touch with family and friends, with whom they would perhaps have gone for long periods without communicating, due to the expenses incurred.

Board member Beth Plumlee and her son Daniel had a brief 3 day visit last week, and delighted the children with some of their favorite snacks after a busy morning at school. Beth led a meeting with the parents, who were able to voice their concerns and questions regarding their children's progress and activities, and plans for the upcoming school. All went away happy, and with their thirst quenched from a soda on a very hot day.

The upcoming weeks hold promising plans at Kageno, with more news to follow soon!

Rachel Cernansky

Historic Event

History was made earlier this month when over 30 volunteers from 4 countries descended on Rusinga Island to carry out Kageno's mission of transforming this community suffering from inhumane poverty into a place of opportunity and hope.

A team of 9 medical students from Operation Crossroads completed health assessments for the children attending the Kageno Nursery School as well as set up a de-worming and vaccination program. Becca Peglow, Lauren Allmayer, Bianca Stifani, Audrey Livesey, Stephanie Barden, Beth Brennan and Anne Obwora joined John Kurap and Kevin Messacar.

The Dreyfus Health Foundation sponsored a 3-day workshop that taught community members how to solve local health problems using already available resources.

Ellen Schoninger and Andrea Joyce from New York joined Pamela Hoyt, a Registered Nurse and International Nursing Coordinator for the Dreyfus Health Foundation. Mary Muyoka - DHF National Coordinator for Kenya, joined us from Kitale, Kenya and Ruth Chikasa - Regional Coordinator for Africa came from Zambia. Facilitators from the Nekeki, Kenya team included: Judith Mandilah, Samuel Kimani, Moses Wefila, Isaac Wangila, Florence Wafula, Everlyn Simiyu, Mr. Nakitare, Mary Rono, David Sitati.

Team Texas was last to arrive, but quickly got to work installing and painting playground equipment for the new Kageno Nursery School. The group also worked with children in 4 primary schools to complete a Kageno Kids Art & Cultural Exchange that included writing and illustrating a story titled "About Myself". Donell Wiggins and her son Davis, Debbie Gray and her sons Ross and Roy, Royal Carson and William Wilcox made up team Texas. (These 4 families raised the funds to build the playground equipment.)

This is the second team from Texas.... The first group, having visited in March, was so moved to help, raised over $30,000 to construct the new nursery school. The March team also endowed a fund to feed all 186 children attending the school 1 meal / day.

Justin Noto, a filmmaker from New York, Jayne Hinds Bidaut - Director of the Kageno Kids Art & Cultural Exchange program, and Chad Wolf made up Team New York.

Reports from each team will be posted in the coming weeks.....

Operation Crossroads Heads to Rusinga

During the first week of July, our group of nine volunteers with Operation Crossroads Africa (www.operationcrossroadsafrica.org) was given the opportunity to head to Rusinga island from Mfangano and take a short break from the mobile medical clinic work that we had been doing between islands in Lake Victoria. Operation Crossroads sends out volunteers annually for two months to countries throughout Africa to work on various programs from constructing orphanages or schools to teaching projects to working in medical clinics. Our project was based on Mfangano, one of the largest islands in Lake Victoria, with the aim being daily mobile medical clinics on the various islands in the lake. We welcomed the opportunity to come to Rusinga for the week to meet the children and do what we could to help out medically in the area.
The unsanitary living conditions near the lake promote the rapid spread of worms and schistosomiasis. This adversely affects children who are already malnourished, and are trying to focus in school, leading to poor performance. Following WHO guidelines for a deworming project, we decided that the efforts for the week should be tailored towards improving the health of the children in the Kageno area in this manner. Every child over 2 years old was given a dose of Mebendazole to clear any worms in their system before any other necessary checkup.
Many of the children in the area still required immunizations and vaccinations, so after contacting the Minister of Health in the area, the site was supplied with oral polio vaccines, measles vaccines, and pentavalent vaccines, in order to officially start a health record on the children in the area. Difficulties arose as most children in the area are orphans, so if any prior health record existed, they were often unable to locate it.
The team from Crossroads saw about 40 children per day for vaccinations and checkups, and saw many from the community with other health problems as well. We were all really impressed with the Kageno site and the efforts of those involved with the project. It is a difficult task to take care of the 186 orphans and provide daily education, but with the construction of two new classrooms, a library, latrine and playground all under way, the development on site shows great growth.
We greatly appreciate the offer from Frank to spend some time at the site and thank Alphonce, Zack, Rachel and the rest for their hospitality as well!

We wish you all continued success on the project,

John Kurap
Operation Crossroads Africa--Kenya I Group Leader, Summer 2006
www.operationalmaata.blogspot.com


............THANKS FRANK!!!

we'll be in touch
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Working in Kolunga Beach was an amazing experience. Witnessing the progress that Kageno has made over the past few years in this community gives me great pride to be involved with such a wonderful group of people. Through documenting the July visit and the impressive development of this project I look forward to sharing with everyone what Kageno has become and what is in store for the future.

Justin Noto

K-blog

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