News Archives
MCF USA is an advisory, fundraising body. MCL sets priorities which reflect our shared vision and mission of creating “an oasis in Lare.” MCL manages the day-to-day activities at the site. Given the inter-connectivity of the two organizations, MCF USA Board President Laura Hunt and Vice-President Rick Rice speak with MCL President Fr. Evanson Njogu, Vice-President John Nojoge and Clinic Director Sr. Ester using the Skype network, several times each month. These conversations insure clear lines of communication and current, relevant progress updates regarding on-the-ground initiatives in Lare:
Providing electricity: Fr. Evans has had several conversations with the local representative of the power company regarding extending the power grid to Mercy Center. Although many have expressed a similar request, our application will carry some priority as we are viewed as a utility.
Repaving the access road: John has recently completed construction of a new segment of the road to our site from the main road which will be “high and dry,” even in the rainy season. As we experience more visitors to the site, as well as transport of materials and skilled volunteers, it was deemed appropriate to allocate funds for this improvement.
Blessing of on-site staff housing: Fr. Evans and the staff gathered to bless the on-site staff housing funded by two grants from Newman’s Own Foundation. The staff was overjoyed to move into private rooms with shared bath, cooking and laundry areas. Previously, they had been housed in crowded quarters, which afforded little privacy or personal space.
Expanding access to water: Funds were allocated to lay a pipe that will carry clean water from Forte’s Well to a water kiosk, near the entrance to our site. This will reduce the number of people and animals on-site and improve security.
Fencing the property: To improve security and clearly delineate our site the existing wire fence is being extended to the perimeter of our property. Bushes will be planted along the fence line to provide an additional barrier.
Unloading the container: A container of medical supplies and equipment donated by CrossLink International arrived in Nairobi, Kenya. Shipped from the CrossLink International warehouse in Falls Church, VA, the container will be unpacked under the supervision of the Little Sisters of St. Francis and distributed between three healthcare facilities run by the LSOSF: St. Francis Hospital in Nairobi, St. Anthony Health Center in Nakuru and Mercy Center, Lare. The shipping costs, taxes and fees are paid by MCF.
Developing an agricultural base: To more fully utilize our site and generate income to help fund clinic operations, maize and beans are being planted for sale to the Lare community. This pioneering experience will enable MCL to gain first -hand knowledge and guide us when micro-businesses are introduced.
Visiting Lare: Gregory Wims, founder of Victim’s Rights Foundation, visited the site in October, 2008 and April, 2009. He has funded road construction and distributed nutritional supplements. Emily Rupple, Kenyan Peace Corp volunteer and graduate student in the field of International Development, will reside on-site in July-August. Emily will devote much of her time to capacity building. She will assist with identifying and implementing processes to accurately collect meaningful data as it relates to all aspects of the project. Her most important focus will be on patient data, demographics and financial controls.
Immunizing Children: Vaccinations are administered every Wednesday. Patrick Kelley, MD expressed the opinion that the vaccination program being administered is quite impressive and consistent with US standards. More data collection is needed, including documenting the height and weight of the babies.
December 2008
Dear Friends of Mercy Center;Rick Rice, Vice-President and I returned from our October, 2008 visit to Kenya and bring back greetings from Mercy Center Lare. Our Kenyan Board wishes to express their gratitude for all you have done to support their efforts in reaching out to the poor in Lare. They have struggled through difficult days, weeks and months this past year but have endured knowing that you have been watching and praying for them.
The purpose of our trip was to determine the status of our project, past, present and future and to visit other sites and projects so that we might gauge the success of our efforts.
In all, we visited over ten different projects/schools/clinics both private and public. The ones that left the most indelible images were a camp for Internally Displaced Persons (a result of the clashes), a national school for children and young adults with Special Disabilities and a public health clinic relatively near our site. The sight of five hundred people living under plastic tarps, 30 disabled children cared for by only one staff member and syringes sticking out of bottles are images that highlight the void of government and social services in Kenya.
In comparison, our experience at Mercy Center Lare was uplifting, giving confirmation that our project is needed, worthwhile and life changing. The clinic is clean and bright with ample medicine and supplies. Mothers and infants were arriving for vaccinations and prenatal care. The medical staff was eager to share their successes, challenges and strategies for initiating the mobile health clinic and community education. Staff housing is 75% complete and delivery is expected in early 2009. A better access route in and out of the site was evaluated. Off site, we met with the accountant and insurance agent to promote proper financial management. Our meetings with the Lare Board centered on management and sustainability and we successfully developed a strategic plan to guide us into the future.
As a result of responsible fiscal aid and management, Mercy Center Lare stands as a testament that despair and isolation can be transformed into life. On behalf of Mercy Center Lare, I thank you for your continued support and ask for you to consider a donation to Mercy Center Foundation, USA. May our Lord grant you a peaceful and promising holiday and new year.
Sincerely,
Laura B. Hunt, President
NOTES
REGARDING POLITICAL UNREST IN FEBRUARY, 2008
(February 3, 2008 Notes from the MCF
USA Board)
Kenya experienced ethnic violence that was sparked by the December presidential elections. This animosity of one tribe towards another was rooted in long standing resentments over ownership of ancestral lands and perceived economic advantages of one tribe over another. The violence spread outward from Nairobi into the Central and Western Provinces leaving over 700 people dead and upwards of 500,000 displaced.
The Lare community, situated in the heart of the Rift Valley Province, suffered tremendous losses with an estimated 600 homes were burned. The nearby village of Deffo burnt to the ground. Three hundred people, mostly women and children, were housed at the Wendani Secondary School, which are just a few kilometers from our site. Miraculously, the burning was halted less than a kilometer from the clinic. Mercy Center Lare remained untouched and whole.
As the violence in Lare escalated, the clinic and well were closed and our staff braced themselves for the worst. Under the courageous coordination of our leadership team, the medical staff was evacuated unharmed under police protection. When the fighting subsided, our staff bravely and voluntarily returned to the site to administer to all those injured or ill; they traveled on foot to reach those in hiding. With the cooperation of the local Chief and additional hired security, the well was reopened to provide lifesaving water.
Mercy Center Lare and its staff went far beyond
our mission of providing basic medical care
and water. Their refusal to be intimidated by
the escalating violence offered this desperate
community perhaps their only beacon of hope.
MCF USA intends to continue to support their
efforts and stands by their willingness to keep
the clinic and well open. We have also urged
them to put their safety first.
So very much of the success of Mercy Center Foundation and Mercy Center Lare has been due to prayer and providence. Now more than ever, we must rely on these two resources. Believe in the power of your prayer and love; take several moments to offer such to our dear and courageous friends in Kenya and all those who suffer unjustly in the world.