A medical centre for the children of the Shelter home and the Maasai settlements
Up to 200 children and teenagers live at the Shelter children's home. Among them are orphans, children left without adult care, and teenagers whose lives began on the street or were destroyed by armed conflict.
The home provides them with somewhere to live, food and schooling, and helps them learn a trade. It runs a farm, a vegetable garden and a smallholding of its own. A few years ago a first-aid post opened on the grounds, where a nurse sees patients every day and a stock of essential medicines is always kept.
In time it became clear that a first-aid post was not enough. So we began building a full medical centre, one that can help not only the children of Shelter but also the people of the nearby Maasai settlements.
The home provides them with somewhere to live, food and schooling, and helps them learn a trade. It runs a farm, a vegetable garden and a smallholding of its own. A few years ago a first-aid post opened on the grounds, where a nurse sees patients every day and a stock of essential medicines is always kept.
In time it became clear that a first-aid post was not enough. So we began building a full medical centre, one that can help not only the children of Shelter but also the people of the nearby Maasai settlements.
Why this matters
The Maasai are known all over the world; their traditional dress and jewellery have long been one of the symbols of Kenya. Behind the beautiful photographs in tourist brochures, however, lies a different reality.
Many families cannot afford even an ordinary visit to a doctor. There are private clinics in the region, but for most local people medical care remains too expensive.
So people are often treated as they were decades ago, with herbs and folk remedies for all kinds of illness. Sometimes that is enough. But malaria, infections and many other conditions need modern medical care.
Many families cannot afford even an ordinary visit to a doctor. There are private clinics in the region, but for most local people medical care remains too expensive.
So people are often treated as they were decades ago, with herbs and folk remedies for all kinds of illness. Sometimes that is enough. But malaria, infections and many other conditions need modern medical care.
What has been done
- The clinic building has been built.
- Two rooms have been opened and equipped: a consulting room and a pharmacy.
- A staff nurse works at Shelter every day.
- The stock of medicines and first-aid supplies is topped up regularly.
What comes next
After that the clinic will be able to see more patients and offer a wider range of care.
- open a doctor's consulting room;
- equip a medical laboratory;
- finish fitting out the centre;
- obtain a licence to provide medical services.
After that the clinic will be able to see more patients and offer a wider range of care.
What the centre costs to run
Nurse's salary: KES 30,000 / USD 225
Restocking six first-aid kits with medicines and dressings: KES 39,749.94 / USD 300
Nurse's salary: KES 30,000 / USD 225
Restocking six first-aid kits with medicines and dressings: KES 39,749.94 / USD 300
What needs support
Keeping the medical centre running means ongoing costs.
Keeping the medical centre running means ongoing costs.
- the nurse's salary;
- medicines and dressings;
- equipment for the centre;
- keeping the clinic in working order.