ICOVOK - (ICODEI-Volunteer Kenya): Seeking your support! [2018 Update]
Volunteer Kenya continues to thank all who have continuously steered the organization's vision either directly or indirectly in various capacities. It is our sincere appreciation to all of you who have enabled the organization reach where it is today. Running 4 main humanitarian programs amongst many: HealthCare, Education, HIV/AIDS awareness and Micro-Enterprise Development(MDP) since it's inception in the late 90s, ICOVOK (ICODEI-VOlunteer Kenya) has impacted thousands in the western region of Kenya through these programs with the help of over 1000 volunteers to date. Setting up of a full primary school, the Education program has resulted to 100s of students joining universities across the country with a consistent high academic performance at the end of their primary education. The recent class of 2017, all students have qualified to join secondary schools across the country - about 40 students.
Students coming from poor backgrounds, have benefited from our support program and thanks to volunteers and well wishers who donate to this program - all school fees and support have been catered for. The Education program is welcoming further support to assist some of these students who did well but due to the fact they are from poor backgrounds may not be able to attend Kenyan universities.
Our Micro-Enterprise Development(MDP) program has supported over 100 groups running various projects benefiting their families and impacting the local economy. HealthCare program on the other hand, traversing Western Kenya, has managed to treat over 40,000 patients to date and continues to provide healthcare/consultation each year.
We thank you all who have continued to support us through donations of drugs, medical equipment and finances. We have been able to continue on our mobile Clinics with our international and local volunteers in reaching out to the interior parts of western Kenya where medical services are almost unreachable and in most cases - expensive.
In partnership with Louisiana state University - Support for Humanitarian through Intercontinental Projects (SHIP), each year, the LSUHSC-Shreveport Medical Students in their 3rd and 4th years participate in our programs by taking 2- and 4-week trips to Bungoma, Kenya, to serve the poor through mobile medical clinics. The students provide healthcare to the community with the help of LSUHSC-Shreveport physicians & residents, as well as medical officers & translators provided by volunteer Kenya. This year, we are gearing towards the busiest months starting February throughout May.
For a successful mobile clinic and the rest of the programs, it entails a lot of logistical and operational costs that we strive to meet to ensure the mission is accomplished. We strive to ensure there's enough supply of drugs, vehicles in good working condition as the roads are not very good and enough medical equipment to run various medical tests. Therefore, it's urgent for the organization to be equipped with enough medical supplies, testing kits for various ailments and equipment. More crucially, the organization is in dire need of streamlining it's transport sector.
The organization has 2 vehicles but after having run for 5 years, they are completely wearing out and becoming ineffective. The cost of constant repairs is higher and expensive -- acquiring new ones is a smart choice to get on the road again.
There are various ways you can offer help:
- For example: the equivalent of $1 is sufficient for one dose of malaria treatment for an adult. .
- Education program: for as little as $100, you will be able to support an orphan or child from a poor background studying in the primary school
- MDP: you can adopt a group and support them with a bit of funding on their projects.
- In a day to day operation, the organization spends at least $50 for gas alone for both vehicles.
And the list is endless... It's only through this kind of support that the organization has made this far and we welcome any form of support.
Please write to Volunteer Coordinator for more details on how you can get involved or help: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
On behalf of the team, we wish you a happy and prosperous New Year!
-ICOVOK Team
(ICODEI - Volunteer Kenya)