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Galana Dispensary Project, Kenya, August 2012
Brief Project Overview. The Galana Dispensary is situated at the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) Headquarters adjacent to Tsavo East National Park and the Galana Conservancy in Kenya. It operates as a frontline medical facility and is the primary source of emergency care for many thousands of local rural inhabitants. The area is bordered by the Galana River which at certain times of the year cannot be crossed to access the main road to the nearest hospital in Malindi. The current dispensary struggles to offer curative and preventive services, HIV/AIDS clinics, family planning initiatives and immunisation, antenatal and child welfare programmes. At present the facilities consist of three desperately dilapidated rooms which currently serve as consultation rooms, storage space, office space, general wards and maternity units. Cooking and toilet facilities are basic in the extreme and despite the tremendous efforts of the staff, are a grave cause for concern from a health and safety perspective. The Dispensary currently has two medical technicians, Mr. Oscar Kambi Charo and Ms Christine Muthoni Macharia who administer care and distribute aid donated by the Red Cross and other agencies. Malaria, malnutrition and childbirth are among the many medical issues faced by the dispensary on a weekly basis. There are no suitable washing or sterilising facilities, the building is open to the elements due to poor construction, there are no storage solutions for medicines or aid supplies, there is a lack of beds and maternity unit equipment, there is no laboratory for essential diagnosis and a complete lack of suitable surfaces to ensure even basic hygiene. Friends From Ireland supported by the A.D.C., The Galana Conservancy, Kulalu Camp and the Watamu Marine Association will renovate the existing building and build a further five rooms to provide the following; 1. A New Maternity Ward. 2. Two General Wards. 3. An Office. 4. A Consultation Room. 5. A Storeroom. 6. A Laboratory. 7. A Kitchen. 8. A Shaded Waiting Area for Patients. 9. Toilets - Male and Female. 10. Shower. In addition we will provide a Biogas system which will use animal and human waste to produce gas. This gas will fuel rings for cooking and a fridge for storing essential medicines and vaccines. To compliment the many advantages of this environmentally and economically sound system we will also create a garden using Permaculture techniques that utilise the associated by-products. Members of the local community and Friends from Ireland Volunteers will be instructed by our friend and long time supporter, Gai Cullen, on installation techniques and maintenance. Project Accommodation. We are delighted by the kind offer of Tina and Mark Allen who have very kindly volunteered to suspend normal business at the prestigious Kulalu Camp to allow Friends From Ireland use it as Base Camp for the duration of the project. This has had a great impact on preparation for the project and has removed the need to establish a camp at the site. In addition the experienced camp staff will look after our food requirements on and off site. Flights and Insurance. Friends From Ireland will arrange all Project flights and Insurance. Working Conditions. Volunteers will be working in very hot temperatures. The working day will begin at 06.00 and finish at 15.00. We will be replacing the roof, replacing doors and windows, tiling, scraping, painting, digging, fencing, constructing beds/furniture/storage units and completing many other tasks. It will be physically demanding project as we strive to achieve all of our objectives. Wildlife. There is an abundance of magnificent wildlife surrounding the project site and the camp site. As always volunteers will have to be aware that where there is wildlife there is an element of danger. Common sense and adherence to Site and Camp rules will ensure that all risks are kept to an absolute minimum. Registering for Kenya. If you wish to register as a volunteer for this project you must complete the following steps; 1. Arrange a meeting with FFI where you will be given a PowerPoint presentation explaining all aspects of the Project in detail. Following this presentation you will be supplied with a Project Registration Form.
2. If you have satisfied yourself that this project is for you then you must return the fully completed Registration Form with a non-refundable registration fee of €800.00.
3. When the Registration Form and Fee are received by FFI you will receive confirmation of your place on the Project Team.
4. Each Volunteer must raise a minimum of €2900.00. and adhere to the following instalment plan; Ø €800.00 must accompany your Registration Form. Ø €1000.00 must be lodged by February 29th 2012. Ø Final €1100.00 to be lodged by June 29th 2012.
Note. All funds raised on behalf of Friends From Ireland must be lodged into the Friends From Ireland Account. Details provided on Registration Form. If volunteers do not adhere to the instalment plan they may lose their place on the Project Team but FFI will assist in any way we can to resolve such issues.
5. When Project Registration is complete FFI will arrange Pre-Project Meetings to keep Volunteers briefed on all developments. Volunteers are expected to attend these meetings as they form an important part of the Project Health and Safety Plan and allow everyone to get to know their fellow volunteers. The meetings are an ice-breaker but also a forum for queries on fundraising, project life and any other issues of interest. The above serves only to introduce you to the project. If you are interested and would like to know more please feel free to contact us and arrange a meeting where the project will be explained to you in detail. We encourage anyone who thinks that they would like to get involved in such projects to come and meet us as we feel that it is only through thorough discussion of the project can Volunteers be fully aware of the challenges. Arranging a meeting does not mean that we expect you to register but it will ensure that you will make an informed decision should you choose to do so. Please feel free to contact us through our Facebook page or through our website www.friendsfromireland.ie The following websites may also be of interest John A. Byrne
 Volunteers Wanted for August 2012. Contact us through our Contacts Page. |
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