ICOVOK – (ICODEI-Volunteer Kenya): Seeking your support! [2018 Update]

Volunteer Kenya continues to thank all who have continuously steered the organization’s vision either directly or indirectly in various capacities. It is our sincere appreciation to all of you who have enabled the organization reach where it is today. Running 4 main humanitarian programs amongst many: HealthCare, Education, HIV/AIDS awareness and Micro-Enterprise Development(MDP) since it’s inception in the late 90s, ICOVOK (ICODEI-VOlunteer Kenya) has impacted thousands in the western region of Kenya through these programs with the help of over 1000 volunteers to date. Setting up of a full primary school, the Education program has resulted to 100s of students joining universities across the country with a consistent high academic performance at the end of their primary education. The recent class of 2017, all students have qualified to join secondary schools across the country – about 40 students.

Students coming from poor backgrounds, have benefited from our support program and thanks to volunteers and well wishers who donate to this program – all school fees and support have been catered for. The Education program is welcoming further support to assist some of these students who did well but due to the fact they are from poor backgrounds may not be able to attend Kenyan universities.
Our Micro-Enterprise Development(MDP) program has supported over 100 groups running various projects benefiting their families and impacting the local economy. HealthCare program on the other hand, traversing Western Kenya, has managed to treat over 40,000 patients to date and continues to provide healthcare/consultation each year.

We thank you all who have continued to support us through donations of drugs, medical equipment and finances. We have been able to continue on our mobile Clinics with our international and local volunteers in reaching out to the interior parts of western Kenya where medical services are almost unreachable and in most cases – expensive.

In partnership with Louisiana state University –  Support for Humanitarian through Intercontinental Projects (SHIP), each year,  the LSUHSC-Shreveport Medical Students in their 3rd and 4th years participate in our programs by taking 2- and 4-week trips to Bungoma, Kenya, to serve the poor through mobile medical clinics. The students provide healthcare to the community with the help of LSUHSC-Shreveport physicians & residents, as well as medical officers & translators provided by volunteer Kenya. This year, we are gearing towards the busiest months starting February throughout May.

For a successful mobile clinic and the rest of the programs, it entails a lot of logistical and operational costs that we strive to meet to ensure the mission is accomplished. We strive to ensure there’s enough supply of drugs, vehicles in good working condition as the roads are not very good and enough medical equipment to run various medical tests. Therefore, it’s urgent for the organization to be equipped with enough medical supplies, testing kits for various ailments and equipment. More crucially, the organization is in dire need of streamlining it’s transport sector. The organization has 2 vehicles but after having run for 5 years, they are completely wearing out and becoming ineffective. The cost of constant repairs is higher and expensive — acquiring new ones is a smart choice to get on the road again.

There are various ways you can offer help:
– For example: the equivalent of $1 is sufficient for one dose of malaria treatment for an adult. .
– Education program: for as little as $100, you will be able to support an orphan or child from a poor background studying in the primary school
– MDP:  you can adopt a group and support them with a bit of funding on their projects.
– In a day to day operation, the organization spends at least $50 for gas alone for both vehicles.

And the list is endless…  It’s only through this kind of support that the organization has made this far and we welcome any form of support.

Please write to Volunteer Coordinator for more details on how you can get involved or help: volunteercoordinator@volunteerkenya.org 

On behalf of the team, we wish you a happy and prosperous New Year!

-ICOVOK Team
(ICODEI – Volunteer Kenya)

 

Mobile Clinic Update [Feb – March, 2016]

The year 2016, has already began in full gear for Volunteer Kenya/ICODEI activities – with the arrival of SHIP team from LSU (Louisiana State University). In the last few days, the team has embarked on a vigorous Mobile clinic campaign in the rural parts of Western Kenya.  The team will be around for the months of  February and March .  Volunteer Kenya’s Mobile clinic program impacts many lives  especially the larger population residing in the interior parts of Kenya where medical care is almost inaccessible  and at times – expensive. Working hand in hand, the local staff and volunteers  try to reach these places and spend a whole day attending to the patients.

Typical  Day on Mobile Clinic
Volunteers report to the Bill Selke medical clinic around 8:30 AM. Mobile clinic staff will usually be there already.

The nurse and pharmacist pack the medications and supplies in the trucks/vehicle. At some point in the morning the mobile clinic crew will depart for the mobile clinic venue.

Transit time is anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Upon arrival at the mobile clinic site, it usually takes an hour to set up the mobile clinic. The pharmacist unpacks the medication and supplies, while other staff, locals, and volunteers set up tables and chairs for the different stations. Patient care begins when patients show up. This can be anywhere between 10:00am and 2:00pm. Patients will continue to arrive at the mobile clinic throughout the course of the day. After all the patients have been treated, the pharmacist and other staff will pack up the drugs and supplies and prepare to return home. The numbers of patients evaluated at the mobile clinics vary greatly depending on the location and the day. Upwards of 250 people have been evaluated and treated or referred on some clinics. Typically there will be between 30-100 patients per clinic. Arrival time back on the farm can vary as well, and can be as early as 2:00 PM or as late as 10:00 PM, though usually you return by 6-7pm. Potential volunteers for the healthcare program must be very patient individuals. Our clinics are not run with the efficiency and organization of a typical hospital in the developed world. It is critically important that volunteers are flexible and understanding.

To learn more about the program please visit: http://volunteerkenya.org/index.php/programs/healthcare  and our social media handles: Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/Icodei Twitter- http://www.twitter.com/volunteer_kenya

Interested in volunteering with us? Let us know! E-mail Volunteer coordinator at: volunteercoordinator@volunteerkenya.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mobile Clinic 2015 Update: May – July

Volunteer Kenya – HealthCare (Update 2015)

In the months of  May, June and July, Volunteer Kenya/ICODEI’s Mobile clinic program continued on – where a total of 600+ patients were seen within the 3 months.  With participation of Anna (from the U.S), Anastasia from Russia and Stefano ( a Medical student from the UK ) joined the local Kenya staff. Volunteer Kenya appreciates their time and efforts in joining the local medical staff towards the fight against diseases. This program strives to reach out to the very remote places where medical access is limited and at times – expensive.

The medical team dealt with various cases including Malaria treatment (with the onset of rainy season, Malaria cases are high during this time of the year), Hypertension,  URTIs, Diabetic ulcers, Road accident injuries, Intestinal worms and many more.

A couple of pictures from the site (Photo Credit: Stefano and Anastasia)

 

To learn more about the Healthcare program or Volunteer Kenya Programs and how one can get involved, please take a look at our website – HealthCare ( in the Program’s section).

To keep in the loop of all VK activities, find us on social media channels at: ICODEI FB page , Volunteer Kenya Twitter page

 

 

Mobile Clinic 2015 update: LSU team wraps up another successful Mobile Clinic

550+ patients were seen in the last 12 days by LSU team (consisting of Drs, Professors and Medical students from Louisiana) and ICODEI’s local staff. The coverage has been mainly in the Western region part of Kenya where most of Volunteer Kenya activities are carried out and once again, Volunteer Kenya-ICODEI appreciates their efforts to travel far and wide to join us in fighting diseases and saving lives. To learn more about our HealthCare program please visit VK website and click on “HealthCare” listed under Programs tab: http://volunteerkenya.org/index.php/programs/healthcare

Volunteer Kenya – ICODEI

Mission Statement

“To fight HIV/AIDS, provide primary school education, encourage microenterprise development for women
and provide healthcare for the people of Western Kenya without regard to religion, politics, ethnicity or nationality.”