And the winner is... Samai

This years Youth Soccer Tournament and HIV Awareness Day was capped by Samai emerging tops in a breathtaking final. As each of the KGR zones were eliminated along the way, Samai booked a final match with with Olpakai, after successfully seeing off Langata in a semi-final that went right down to the wire. In the final, an extra time goal was the only difference between the two sides.
Samai shall now enjoy bragging rights for one year until the teams come together again for another sporting extravaganza.

The soccer tournament was driven by a desire to bring the youth of Kuku Group Ranch together and sensitize on HIV and AIDS. When the teams weren't playing they were congregated in meeting rooms, receiving talks and watching videos. Hordes of ladies turned up to support their teams and ended up participating in the HIV/AIDS education, however we intend to include a girls competition in the next round. Watch this space.

It was a very successful day and we thank our sponsors for their support and contributions. Many thanks as well to the MWCT team and visitors who came to share this day with us. Karibu tena.

Bicycles for Community Health Workers

Dear Friends and Family,

For the past 3 months, I have seen first hand, the impact of poverty on the health of a vulnerable African community. It inspires me to try to do something to help and I hope I am able to inspire you to join me in this fight against poverty.

The Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust (MWCT) is a community-based organization, that relies on community health workers (CHWs). Community health workers are members of the local community who volunteer their time to save lives and improve the livelihood in their own community. Every day, they deliver social support to patients in their homes, refer people who are ill to clinics, provide health education, and collect important health data for government reports.

This community spans approximately 1150 square kms. In addition to the geographical vastness of the land, each of the 100 community health workers is responsible for overseeing up to 40 households. With no means of transport (there is no public transport and hiring a motorcycle is prohibitively expensive), this means that he/she has to walk a great distance to get to each household. Despite the huge distances to travel, and not being paid, the community health workers continue to work tirelessly, and this inspired me to do something to not only acknowledge their hard work but also increase their capacity to perform their duties.

I am turning 30 this June and in lieu of gifts, I would be grateful for your help to raise enough money to purchase 30 bicycles for the community health workers. Each bicycle will cost $150 USD, and includes a maintenance tool kit. In addition to purchasing the bikes, we will also be developing a program to teach safe riding and maintenance skills.

If you are considering making a donation, I thank you for your generosity. Whether you donate money to buy one bicycle or join forces with others, your donation will enable CHWs to increase access to healthcare for their families and community. These bicycles will effectively mobilize CHWs, who are the backbone of health care delivery, and ultimately make a profound impact on the health of their community.

Please click on the link below to go to my fundraising page.  I have also posted a video of the CHWs - you will learn of their challenges and witness their dedication: 

http://www.crowdrise.com/bicyclesforchw

This link allows you to make a donation online.  Please note that the website deducts a small processing fee (explained here: http://www.crowdrise. com/about/faq#cost) from your donation.  If you would like to avoid this processing fee altogether, please send a cheque to the following mailing address:

Maasai Wilderness Conservation Fund

P.O. Box 1413 

Santa Barbara 

CA 93102

Please make the cheque payable to "Maasai Wilderness Conservation Fund" and indicate "Lena Koh" in the subject title. Please send me a quick email to let me know you've sent a cheque so I can make sure the fundraising total is up to date.  

If you are within Kenya, please send the cheque to:

Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust

P.O. BOX 236

90128, Kenya

Please make the cheque payable to "Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust" and indicate "Lena Koh" in the subject title. Please send me a quick email to let me know you've sent a cheque so I can make sure the fundraising total is up to date.  

I hope you will help me, help them, help their community.

Thank you for your kindness and support.

Sincerely,

Lena Koh

Champion of the Earth

President of the Board, Mr. Samson Parashina, was on 4th June 2012 awarded the "Champions of the Earth" award in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The United Nations Environment Program Executive Director acknowledged Samson for leading community efforts to conserve Kenya's Tsavo Amboseli Ecosystem.
Congratulations Samson.

More information here:
http://www.unep.org/champions/champions2012.asp
http://www.nation.co.ke/News/Kenyan+lands+top+environment+award/-/1056/1425960/-/m7ob7s/-/index.html