Program Updates July 20th, 2003

Hi,

Just a quick note about recent progress in Kenya. I just received an email from Kenya today with the following news:

1. The Kenyan Ministry of Health performed an inspection of the Bill Selke Memorial Clinic in Kabula on July 17th, 2003 . The inspectors gave their comments on several minor issues that need to be addressed before opening the clinic, as well as provided insight on other issues that will improve the clinic. Five local women have been hired to staff the clinic. Volunteers from abroad will be welcome to assist. The clinic should be open by August 1st.
2. NGO Status: We have started on the paperwork to register our partner Kenyan community based organization as a non-governmental organization. We are very hopeful that this will enable us to pursue funding within Kenya from large aid organizations such as USAID and FHI. We have been trying to get registered as a NGO since 1998, but were never able due to the corruption of the previous administration that lost power this past December after ruling since 1978.

Other news:
Three Swiss med students and one Canadian med student involved with IFMSA were in Kenya during June to assist with getting the clinic open. They also had the opportunity to visit other nearby hospitals and clinics to learn more about the delivery of health care in a rural Kenyan setting.