Upendo Village Update

December 2007

                                                        

Singers, drummers and dancers from St. Martin School in Nairobi provided music and dance for the new Upendo Village site dedication in Naivasha, Kenya .

Through the continued efforts of the Upendo Village (UV) staff and volunteers, in partnership with the generosity and solidarity of all of our donors, we continue to reach out to those suffering from the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Kenya, Africa.  September through November 2007 was a memorable time for Upendo Village (UV).   In September the third annual volunteer mission group from the Catholic diocese of Joliet, IL traveled to Naivasha to share their skills, expertise, care and love with our clients.  In addition to serving at the UV clinic where over 500 patients were seen in 2 weeks, and participating in home based care visits, the 18 member medical team also offered their time and talent to the District Hospital of Naivasha, the public hospital near Upendo Village.  They performed 100 surgeries during their visit!  The medical team was accompanied this year by a 5 person construction team who repaired homes for a number of UV clients.  They even built a fence around one client’s corn field to keep out the zebras who had been devouring her corn at night.  Now her farming efforts will be able to provide for her family.  For more details please visit http://www.paxjoliet.org/missions/index.html

 

Our previous UV site was located at the Naivasha parish complex of St. Francis Xavier.  Because of the need for the return of this space to serve the growing needs of the parish, we began development of our permanent UV location, despite having very limited financial resources.  The contractors were generous enough to complete the building while we continue to raise the funds needed to pay for them.  November 6^th was the formal dedication of the site, attended by Bishop Peter Kairo of the Catholic diocese of Nakuru.  As part of the celebration, Bishop Kairo blessed the multipurpose hall (named “the Edward and Eleanor Ochylski Family Center” in honor of its generous donor), the staff house (dedicated in honor of the primary donor, the Wheaton Franciscans) and the clinic building (dedicated to its 2 major donors, Dr. and Mrs. James Allen and Mrs. Betty Bradshaw). 

 

Sister Elizabeth, RN stands in the courtyard of the UV clinic.

When Sister Florence Muia began UV, she was very conscious of the stigma from which many HIV+ people suffered.  Therefore, from the very beginning, the clinic was open to anyone seeking medical care.  Without a physician on staff, the UV clinic is operated by what in the USA would be considered nurse practitioners, who are able to evaluate and treat common illnesses and infections, and who can refer patients to a nearby hospital when further evaluation or treatment is needed.  Although UV clients are cared for at the clinic, anyone is welcome.  Patients who are not UV clients pay fees based on their ability to pay, and no one is turned away.  While having their general medical needs evaluated and treated, these patients are educated about HIV infection and prevention and are encouraged to be tested, since knowing one’s status is the first step in effective prevention.  By providing access to excellent quality of care, UV has worked cooperatively with the Naivasha District Hospital and with the Kijabi Mission Hospital to improve the quality of medical care available in Naivasha.  The entire community has benefited!

 

Sister Elizabeth, RN awaits results of a microscopic test being completed by Lucy, the UV lab tech.

Since UV began providing services in May 2003, over 4000 people have been served through the UV clinic, with about half of these being UV clients.  In order to meet the governmental requirements for operating a clinic, UV has already hired a lab tech, Lucy, to perform basic tests, such as HIV screening, and basic blood and urine evaluations.  Our future dream is have a physician join our staff.  As the clinic continues to grow, community awareness about HIV/AIDS improves and the myths about AIDS slowly give way to knowledge and better understanding about this epidemic and how to treat those affected by it.

 

Although the UV clinic is the centerpiece of our new site, many of our clients continue to be served through our home-based care program, which we will highlight in our next newsletter.  The staff and volunteers visit clients, take them nutritional supplements to help get them back on their feet, provide support and counseling for them and their loved ones, nurse the sick, provide warm clothing and other emergency supplies and assist in whatever ways are needed.  Most of all, they provide a warm smile, a loving touch, a welcoming heart or an encouraging word.  Their presence in the lives of those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS soothes anxiety, relieves fear, brings hope, restores dignity, motivates action and uplifts the spirit.  This is what “Upendo”, “Love”, is all about.  Through love, we continue to build a global village of love that values the life and dignity of each person and reaches out to meet the challenges of HIV/AIDS. 

 

The UV “Dispensary” (clinic) consists of a waiting area, reception and record keeping area, exam rooms, pharmacy, lab, treatment and blood drawing area and washrooms.

 

Thank you for your support for Upendo Village and the people of Kenya.  Your concern and solidarity bring hope and life to many.  Together we continue to work toward the day when the people of all the countries of the world will be able to live healthy and happy lives.—

                   Beatrice Hernandez, OSF, MD