Kibera Maternity Project 2018

In just a few hours, on July 6, I and my husband will embark on an exhilarating and a dangerous journey.  We intend to climb the highest peak on the African continent - Mount Kilimanjaro. Its summit rises to impressive 5,895 m (19,341 ft) above sea level (the altitude at which life-threatening high altitude most severe forms of AMS can occur).  The trek, if successful, shall take over a week. In seven days we will walk across 5 climate zones, carrying our backpacks, sleeping in tents and showering with the equivalent of a  ca. Starbucks venti cup of water a day to replace our usual showers :-).

So why would we even consider such an adventure?
We wanted to do something for others – sort of a personal social responsibility act - and made it into a charitable hike. We decided to support a maternity project based in the Kibera slum in the outskirts of Kenya’s capital - Nairobi. Together with a small group of dedicated people we decided to raise funds for much needed postpartum kits ('Mama Upendo Kits') containing essential items for both mum and baby that would be useful after birth.

Through some local friends we are partnering with Dr. Dorah Nyanja- doctor running 'Senye Clinic' in Kibera.  We set ourselves a target - 150 Mama Upendo Kits!


Why 'Mama Upendo Kits' and Dr. Dorah Nyanja from 'Senye Clinic'?
There are 3 main reasons!
As parents to a healthy 1.8 year old baby girl named Oliwka... we feel thankful and very privileged as I received excellent and accessible maternal healthcare provided for me during her birth in Switzerland. Something we often take for granted here. I was cared for in the months leading up to, during and for the weeks after the delivery. However, we are aware it is not a standard for everyone. We can only imagine the challenges that exist for many women and new mothers all over the world and specifically those less fortunate living in less developed countries.   

As a professional working every day towards a better and more accessible healthcare, I feel obliged to do even more and want to contribute directly in order to positively impact the lives of those who need it the most – new mothers and their newly born babies.


Finally, as individuals actively advocating for and promoting women equality and entrepreneurship we wanted to support a local role model. Below you can find more information about dr Dorah Nyanja who from a nurse through Sustainable Healthcare Enterprise Foundation (SHEF) turned into an independent “entrepreneur” helping the poorest in her area.

https://www.irinnews.org/fr/node/237506 

http://www.viewchange.org/videos/dorah-s-story-loyalty-through-quality-care 


The 'Mama Upendo Kits' cost ca. EUR 35 or USD35  and contain the following:

- large packet of porridge
- packet of sugar and salt
- basin and soap
- baby blanket
- pack of diapers
- baby clothes (sleeper, vest, hat, socks)
- packs of sanitary pads
- pack of painkillers
- towel and slippers

They shall be delivered to the clinic mid August 2018. So...Thank you  for your donation!!!  and keep your fingers crossed for us :-)

Magda & Pierre Daccord