Burial in Maragwa- 29th August 2009
(Four (4) members of one family dead)

A 30 year old lady was buried after she died of severe jigger infestation. Mary Wambui is the fourth in a family of seven to die due to jigger attack. The burial was attended by Ahadi Kenya officials and volunteers. The local administration and community was also well represented. Wambui leaves behind a 6 year girl whom Ahadi is appealing for assistance to support her. Wambui`s death brings a total of 262 people who have so far died countrywide due to jigger infestation.

Ahadi Kenya team laying flowers on Wambui`s grave (left) and six (6) year old girl who was left behind

Home visits to Gatundu- 15^th August 2009
(Children heavily infested with jiggers)

Many children in Gatundu both North and South are living in pain after their bodies are attacked by jiggers. This was evidence after Ahadi team visited several homes in the districts to check on the impacts of anti-jigger campaign in the area. Chidren as old as thirteen years have never known how to walk or even attended school. Ahadi supplied them with medication and other sanitation equipments for maximum hygiene. Hunger and poverty is also evidence in the area as some had gone for days without a meal. Ahadi is appealing to the community to support each other and work together as a group to fight this menace.

Child's heavily infested legs including the knees (above and left) and (right) infested hands

Anti-jigger campaign launch in Malindi - 25th July 2009
(More than 3000 infested in one location)

More than 3000 children are jigger infested in Msabaha location, Malindi District. Safaricom Ltd in partnership with Ahadi Kenya held a medical camp where more than 400 children were treated and fed. Last month (June), two people died due to severe jigger infestation. This is according to the area residents. The camp was attended by among others; the area MP Hon. Gideon Mun'garo, Area DO and other provincial administrators, Community leaders, church leaders and the school community. Most of the children treated had both their hands and legs heavily infested.

A child being washed and treated		The child's infested feet

Children being fed after the treatment

Visit to Nyeri Town constituency -16th July 2009
(Disabled and jigger victims attended)

Disabled and jigger infested people were treated and fed in Kamakwa village, Nyeri town constituency. The exercise was sponsored by Redeemed Gospel Church and Ahadi Kenya. The area MP and Minister for Gender and Children, Hon.Esther Murugi, urged other leaders in the area to support the anti-jigger campaign. Others who attended included Bishop Auther Gitonga and the provincial administrations led by the area DO. More than 400 people are jigger infested and others disabled in Kamakwa village. The minister pledged her support and partnership from her ministry.

Jigger-infested school children disinfecting their feet		An elderly man's seriously infected feet

Area MP, Hon.Esther Murugi, helping with the jigger-eradication excercise		School-children's infected feet

Ahadi Kenya Awarded -15th July 2009
(Laico Regency Humanitarian of the year Award 2009)

After keenly following the activities of Ahadi Kenya, Laico Regency picked our organization for their Humanitarian of the year Award 2009. The award ceremony was held at Laico Regency hotel and graced by the Minister of Public Health & Sanitation, Hon. Beth Mugo. Her ministry was awarded with a Certificate for their support and partnership in the campaign. The minister urged other MPs to utilize the CDF money in fighting this menace. She said her Ministry has set aside 10 Million this year to buy medication for those affected.

Ahadi Kenya team receiving the award from Public Health Minister Hon. Beth Mugo

Medical Camp, Gatundu North- 27th June 2009
(Anti-jigger campaign launched)
 
Several people from Mang'u Division, Gatundu North were washed and treated of jiggers. Most affected were women and school-going children. The camp was attended by, among others; Laico Regency who contributed towards feeding the children, Lydia Mocheche Foundation who gave forty (40)  thousand shilings towards the fight against jiggers in Kenya, the provincial administration led by the area DO, several volunteers including media personalities led by Kiss FM presenter, Jalango and community members. The activity took place in Kawira Primary school which has a total of one hundred jigger infested children.

A one-year-old boy's infected foot

Child's feet infected with jiggers		A two-year-old's infected hand

Volunteers treating children		Laico Regency staff feeding the children

Launch of 3 months awareness campaign / lottery-10th June 2009
(Funds to be raised to assist those infested)

A three (3) months awareness campaign was launched in Nairobi. This will be done along side a lottery where two (2) donated motor cycles will be won. The campaign will take place in all major towns in Kenya. Information centers manned by volunteers and social workers will give details of the project as well as advice for those who need help. The funds will be raised by selling of tickets at 100 each. The lottery closes on 30th August 2009 and winners announced on 7th September 2009.

Ahadi team launching the drive		Motor cycles to be won on display

Medical camp at Gaichanjiru, Kandara-15th May 2009
(Ida Odinga joins anti-jigger campaign)

More than 500 school-going children were treated of jiggers at a medical camp at Gaichanjiru Pri. School, Kandara. The camp was sponsored by Safaricom Ltd. Among those in attendance was Ida Odinga, the Prime Minister's wife. She urged the politicians from jigger-infested areas to work hand in hand with the community. Jiggers have negatively affected education standards and also caused high school drop out rates. More than 5000 children are affected in Kandara Division.

	Jigger infested feet
	Ida Odinga shocked to see jigger infested hands of a (1) one year old (Left) and (Right) cleaning a child's feet

Anti -jigger campaign launch in Narok-1st May 2009
(Over 5000 people infested)

Over 5000 people in Narok District are jigger infested according to a recent survey done by District health officials in conjunction with other stakeholders. This prompted the area local leaders led by Hon. Ntimama to seek intervention from Ahadi Kenya and other partners for help. The launch saw more than two hundred people treated while the community was educated on ways of managing and eradicating the jigger menace. Those in attendance included; MOH Narok South, Local leaders, NGOs representatives among others. Ahadi Kenya will facilitate fumigation of the affected households to rid off fleas and also educate the community on proper hygiene.

Jigger infested feet in Narok

Cecilia demonstrating on how to treat jiggers		Volunteers attending to infested children

Winner of the third Annual Leadership & Management Award announced-22nd April 2009
(Ahadi Kenya Trust Announced Winners)

Management Sciences for Health (MSH) has announced the winner of the 2009 Leadership & Management Award: Ahadi Kenya Trust. The Hanoi School of Public Health Vietnam HIV/AIDS Management Training Program placed second and the Kgatleng District Council Department of Primary Health Care in Bostwana placed third. The Leadership and Management Award is an annual award supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). It was created to recognize teams of health care professionals that have used exemplary leadership and management skills to overcome challenges and achieve measurable results in the areas of HIV/AIDS, infectious disease, and maternal/child health. 13 teams from around the world, including countries like Peru, Burkina Faso and Afghanistan, competed for this award, which was chosen by an esteemed panel of judges. The first place winner will receive a US $1,500 grant; the second place team will receive a US $1,000 and the third place team will receive a $500 grant to further their work. This award recognizes teams that use leadership and management to achieve results because by doing so they are making sustainable improvements in the care they are providing by effectively using the resources- human and financial- they have available to them. These skills are often not taught in medical or nursing schools, but are so very needed in the health sector at all levels to ensure the international and government funds are reaching those who need them the most and that they are having their intended impact.

The Ahadi Kenya Team

Second Anniversary celebration-4th April 2009
(700 people fully recovered)

Ahadi Kenya celebrated its second anniversary in Mathioya, Murang`a where more than seven hundred people have fully recovered from jigger infestation. 400 children were supplied with school equipment to be able to get back to school. The adults were also supplied with farm tools and asked to get back to their farms and start living normal lives. Ahadi Kenya has started a bee-keeping project for the recovered as a way of generating income and reducing poverty which is one of the major causes of jiggers. The celebrations were attended by, among others, senior public health official, provincial administration, school community and church leaders. School heads and teachers from Seven (7) primary schools were awarded with certificates and mobile phones for their commitment in the fight against jiggers. So far Ahadi Kenya has recorded a total number of two (2) million people who are jigger infested countrywide.

Children entertaining guests		Ahadi distributing school equipment
Distribution of farm tools		Teacher been awarded

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