Maternity and Pediatric Hospital Amboseli, Kenya

Hello friends!

Mel and Jen here, two Osteopathic Practitioners from Canada getting ready for our 3rd Medical Mission in Kenya, run by The Divinity Foundation. For those of you who are landing here for the 1st time - The Divinity Foundation is a change making NGO in Kenya committed to improving the lives of vulnerable Women and Children in rural regions of Kenya. The Divinity Foundation was founded in 2008, by a British Osteopath, Navdeep Matharu. Her vision is to "one day have a more compassionate world, where the basic needs and rights of every human being are fulfilled in order to have a more healthy and peaceful existence" (Divinity, 2008).

In the past two years our community has helped raise over $22,000 CAD towards a Maternity and Children’s Hospital that The Divinity Foundation is building in a small Amboseli village, Inkisanjani. The Hospital is situated in the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro and will serve over 1400 families in this remote region. Last year our team witnessed first hand why the need for this village is so vital, a medical emergency in the field, miles and miles away from medical help. Having this hospital built will very literally be the difference of life and death, a place where mothers can deliver their babies in a safe environment and where children, from birth, can get their health care needs met. The Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) rate in this community remains quite high, resulting in a significantly greater risk of women experiencing complications during child birth. The hospital will support with ante and post natal care, immunizations, nutrition and pharmaceutical needs, triages care, labs and diagnostics, and fistula repair clinics.

The uncertainty of donating to a Foundation so far from home is not lost on us. We know it brings all sorts of questions and hesitation…We see that and understand it. Mel and I have had the great privilege of witnessing the hospitals transformation over the past two years…from the digging of foundational trenches, to the installation of windows and doors, to the laying of concrete floors…. we even had the opportunity to treat out of the Children’s ward during our 2024 Medical Mission. We’ve watched, seen and walked the halls of where all your support has gone, first hand.

The Hospital is in its final stages of completion, with an estimated $130,000 euros remaining to finish the build and purchase the medical supplies needed. The Divinity Foundation and Mel and I still need your help.

Still unsure why you’d want to support - Here are several compelling reasons why you should donate to this hospital being built in rural Kenya:

Improving Access to Healthcare: Rural areas in Kenya often lack basic healthcare infrastructure. A new hospital can provide life-saving medical services, reducing the need for patients to travel long distances to access care.

Reducing Health Disparities: Rural communities often face higher mortality rates due to limited access to quality healthcare. Donations can help bridge this gap, offering better opportunities for disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Supporting Maternal and Child Health: Many rural areas have limited resources for maternal and child health services. A local hospital can provide essential prenatal, delivery, and postnatal care, which can drastically reduce maternal and infant mortality rates.

Preventing the Spread of Disease: Access to healthcare facilities can help manage and contain infectious diseases, improving public health and preventing outbreaks in underserved areas.

Economic Development: A hospital can create jobs for local residents, from medical staff to administrative and support roles, providing a boost to the local economy. Additionally, healthier communities are more productive and resilient.

Educational Opportunities: With a hospital in the region, there is potential for healthcare training and education, equipping local residents with medical skills and improving long-term healthcare outcomes in the area. This will include girls who have or are living at The Divinity Foundations rescue center.

Emergency Services and Surgical Care: A new hospital can provide emergency services and surgical care that may not be available locally, reducing reliance on distant, often overcrowded, facilities.

Community Empowerment: Donating to the construction of a hospital empowers local communities by giving them control over their health and well-being. It fosters self-reliance and strengthens community ties.

Long-Term Impact: A well-equipped hospital in a rural area can make a lasting difference for generations, ensuring that healthcare access is available for future generations and helping to build a sustainable healthcare system.

Humanitarian Responsibility: Contributing to a hospital project is an act of global solidarity. It’s an opportunity to help ensure that everyone, regardless of their geographical location or economic status, has access to essential healthcare.

Over the past two years we have been so incredibly humbled and inspired by all your generosity, support and enthusiasm. Mel and I have found a family in Kenya: both with our international friends and volunteers and our Kenyan doctors, pharmacists and support staff. We are officially launching our 2025 fundraising campaign to help raise the remaining funds needed to complete the hospital and to build awareness for our participation in the 2025 Medical mission and other Foundation initiatives. Your donations will continue to significantly improve lives, provide hope, and empower a community that is otherwise underserved.

From the bottoms of our hearts THANK YOU for once again joining us in this IMPORTANT work.

With love and appreciation,

Mel & Jen