The One Good Turn team just returned from our most recent project in Kenya. Founder Dr. Ann Messer and Programs Director Annie Albrecht lead the project to provide medical education, training, and care in partnership with four organizations. This project was focused primarily on schools and organizations that provide services to school-age children. In preparation, OGT created a school handbook designed to address many of the common medical needs in Kenyan schools. At each location, One Good Turn worked alongside community health workers, simultaneously treating patients and training health workers so that they can continue providing quality care to their communities after we are gone.
Kenyan Schools of Hope (KSOH)
KSOH is a school and refuge center for young girls fleeing female genital mutilation (FGM) in Ewaso Kedong, a rural community outside of Nairobi. When working with KSOH, we focused on education surrounding FGM and women’s health. Several of the girls at KSOH had experienced some form of sexual violence or other trauma. We did our best to address these medical concerns and educate the school staff about how best to respond to similar issues in the future. We also established connections at the local clinic where community health workers were eager to learn from our team. We plan to nurture this relationship and provide expanded training for the clinicians in the future.
World Dream Foundation/St. Tracious School
St. Tracious is a small school in the Mukuru slum of Nairobi. While there, we worked to establish a medical reporting protocol, set up a system to record all the students' heights and weights, and trained the staff how to distribute de-worming medications and provide basic first aid. Additionally, our new friend Bogonko, one of the dedicated members of the St. Tracious school staff, accompanied the OGT team for a several days during the rest of the trip, learning alongside community health workers at other partner organizations in order to be able to provide the best care for his students.
Change a Life Learning Center (CALLc)
In 2018, we implemented our Project Manager program in partnership with Change a Life as a follow up to our 2017 trip where we provided medical exams, treatment, staff training, and a community-wide de-worming program for over 1,200 people. Through our Project Manager program, we compiled medical records and conducted follow up care in collaboration with the school's medical officer, OT. During our most recent collaboration, we worked alongside OT to follow up on the medical reporting protocols and treatment protocols that we established last time. We also trained him on physical exam and diagnosis, provided de-worming medication to the entire school and Saturday program (approximately 1300 total), and treated the school children and staff.
Made in the Streets (MITS): Eastleigh Center
The MITS staff at the Eastleigh center primarily serve homeless children and youth, many of which are victims of some kind of violence and/or are addicted to drugs, particularly inhalants like glue or “jet fuel” (diesel or gasoline). While there, we trained the street team on emergency response and first-aid, as well as provided education on common medical issues such as upper respiratory infections/asthma, STDs/sexual violence, and wound care.
Made in the Streets (MITS): Kamulu Boarding School
The Boarding School at MITS serves as a refuge for former street kids after they have left the Eastleigh slum. We trained the school staff (including the nurse and dorm supervisors) on a variety of topics including common fungal and bacterial infections, allergic reactions, and uses for common pain medications and antibiotics. We also conducted a first aid clinic for a class of approximately 30 students so that in cases of emergency they are best prepared to act quickly, even before outside help arrives.
Kenya, as always, is an incredibly welcoming country. The people are so kind and eager to learn. We plan to return in the near future as we continue to build relationships with our partner organizations and expand our educational programming based on the needs of each community.
