FICCS  (Foundation  for  International  Cardiac  &  Children’s  Services)  CHANGING  LIVES  IN  KENYA  

 2012  Mission  Report  

Private  vs.  Public  Hospitals  in  Kenya  12  Charity  Heart  Surgeries  and  Cardiac  Training  in  2012  

Although   the   FICCS   team,   led   by   Dr.   Patel,   was   able   to   perform   12   successful  

cardiovascular  procedures   in  2012,  the  difference  between  the  public  and  private  sector  

hospitals  was  startling.  After  spending  the  last  2  years   in  private  hospitals  in  Nairobi,  the  

team  performed  their  first  surgeries  at  public  hospitals  in  Nairobi  since  2003.  

The  private  hospital  was   loaded  with  state  of  the  art  equipment,  well  skilled  technicians  

and  a  plethora  of  medicine  and  medical  supplies.  The  facility  included  a  million  dollar  Cath  

Lab  exactly  like  the  one  used  by  Dr.  Patel  at  Advocate  Lutheran  General  Hospital  in  Illinois.  

On   the   other   hand,   the   public   hospital,   Kenyatta   National   Hospital   was   the   direct  

opposite.    There  was  no  state  of  the  art  equipment,  only  a  black  and  white  X  ray  machine  

rather  than  a  cath  lab.  Patients  had  no  numbing  medication  and  even  gowns  and  scrubs  

were  in  short  supply.    The  theatre  was  small  and  cramped,  but  it  got  the  job  done.  

However,  the  dedication  of  the  cardiologist  at  the  public  hospital  was  simply  amazing  as  

regardless  of  the  lack  of  equipment,  they  proved  more  devoted  to  serving  their  patients.  

Our  Team  

Dr.  Parag  V.  Patel,  Chairman  Stacy  Harris,  Managing  Director  (Nairobi)    Karen  Mulcahy,  Managing  Director  (USA)  Cynthia  Coredo,  Program  Assistant  Millicent  Ila,  Health  Coordinator  Peter  Tingai,  Rural  Communities  

 

Effects  of  Early  Marriage  “My   dad   came   into   the   house  nearly  midnight   and   woke  me   and  my  mum  up  and  said,  tomorrow  get  ready  to  move   into  your  house  and  become   a   woman,   someone   is  picking  you  and  he  has  already  paid  your   dowry.   In   fact,   I   have   just  finished   drinking   his   last   beer.”     I  was  only  15  years  old.  

I   got   married   as   a   second   wife   to   my  dad’s   friend  who  was  45.  I  had  my  first  child  at  16  and  it  was  a  very  painful  and  difficult  birth.   I   finally  went  back  home  but  was  received  with  a  lot  of  hostility,  but   since   I  was  sick,  my  dad   let  me   in.        Written  by  Asnas  (Safe  Spaces)  

FGM  Destroys  Families  She   was   only   six   years   old   when   it  happened.   She   had   cried   for   her  mother  for  the  rite  not  to  be  performed  to  her  but  the  mother  had  no  say  in  the  matter.   She   went   through   it   FGM  (Female  Genital  Mutilation   and  now  at  26   years  old   she  blames  her   father   for  her  misery.  

Married  now  for  seven  years  she  has  no  child.   The   first   died   during   birth   and  three  miscarriages  followed.  The  doctor  confirmed  there   is  no  hope  for  a  baby.  Written  by  Prexedes  Mumbua  (HMGC)  

 

                               FICCS  SPONSORED  EVENT  IS  A  SUCCESS  

 

   

Girls  Showcase  their  Talents  through  Sports  and  Fashion  

Escaping  Early  Marriage  My   best   friend   and   I   were   like   twin  sisters   for   the   last   five   years.  We  were  inseparable   in  our  village;  we  even  did  our   chores   together.   My   parents   tried  to  separate  us,  but  it  could  not  be  done  because   Wangechi   and   I   were   best  friends.  

One   day   while   in   school,   Wangeci’s  parents   tried   to   sell   her   to   an  old  man  who   was   very   rich.   Unfortunately,   she  knew   nothing   about   the  plan   that   had  already   been   decided.   Wangeci’s  parents   told   her   to   pack   her   bags  because   she   was   going   on   a   trip.   She  did   as   she   was   instructed   and   packed  her  bags.    

After  a  long  journey  she  was  taken  to  a  room   and   locked   inside   so   she   could  not   escape.  She  did  not   know   that  her  parents   were   at   a   separate   house  dining   with   the   old  man   as   they   were  preparing  to  execute  the  plan.  The  girls  fate  was  determined  over  a  cup  of  tea.  

Something   miraculous   appeared   in  Wangeci’s   mind   and   told   her   that  something  was  happening  between  her  parents  and  herself.  Five  seconds   later,  she   heard   some   boys   talking   around  the   house.     WOW!   That   lady   in   the  house   is   the   future   wife   of   Kigagi.    Wangeci   was   shocked   as   she   said   to  herself,   “No,   this   cannot   happen   to  me.”  

The   girl   started   to   look   around   and  wonder   how   she   could   escape.     There  was   only   a   small   window,   which   was  very  high  up.  She  stood  on  a  stool  and  struggled   to   open   the   window,   but   as  soon  as  it  opened,  she  ran  towards  the  forest  and  disappeared.  She  had  finally  escaped  her  problem.  

Later  on,  her  parents  were  arrested  for  taking   money   in   exchange   for   their  daughter.  The  old  man  was  not  charged  because  he  did  not   get   the  girl  offered  to  him.  She  escaped!  

 Written  by  Anne  Chege,  HMGC  

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On   Saturday,   September   1st,   2012,   FICCS  

hosted   its   Second   Annual,   “Empowering  

Women   in   Kenya”   day.     Over   300   people  

attended   and   watched   the   girls   as   they  

displayed  their  talents.  

The  event  was  highlighted  by  Box  Girls  Coach,  

Sarah  Achieng,  who  defended  her  East-­‐Central  

Africa   Professional   Women’s   Featherweight  

Title  at  the  prestigious  Galleria  Mall  in  Nairobi.    

Sarah  won  in  a  7th  round  TKO  after  the  referee  

had  to  stop  the  fight.  

“Thanks   to   FICCS   for   giving   me   the  

opportunity   to   showcase  my   skill.     It  is   hard   to   get   people   to   support  

women  boxers  in  Kenya.”  

Sarah  Achieng,  Box  Girls  Kenya  Coach  

Aside   from   the   three   professional   fights  

organized  by  Box  Girls,  there  was  also  a  youth  

boxing   tournament   featuring   the   team   from  

Kibera.  Kenya’s  first  female  Olympic  Boxer  and  

also  a  Box  Girl  Kenya  coach,  was  the  referee.  

Hawkers  Market  Girls  Center  (pictured  above)  

wowed   the   crowd  with   a   spectacular   fashion  

show.     All   items   were   made   by   the   girls  

through   their   “Earn   and   Learn”   program  

where   girls   learn   sewing   and   tailoring   skills  

which  they  can  use  to  make  a  living.  

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“it  was  the  best  event  we  have  ever  

been   a   part   of.   It   gave   our   girls   a  chance   to   showcase   their   talents  and  promote  our  programs.  The  girls  

ate,   they  boxed,   they  danced  and   it  will  be  a  day  they  will  never  forget.  

Cynthia  Coredo,  Box  Girls  Kenya  Director  

Special   thanks   to  Galleria   Shopping  Mall   for  

donating   the   space   and   for   all   the   vendors  

who   supported   the   girls,   including  Nairobi’s  

own  KFC.  

It  was  truly  a  day  the  girls  will  never  forget.    

When  I  saw  the  smiles  and  the  roaring  of  the  

crowd   as   the   girls   presented   their   own  

fashion   styles.     I   realized   something   at   that  

point.   The   smiles,   the   joy,   the   cheering  was  

all   building   these   girls   confidence   and  

boosting   their   self-­‐esteem.   Never   had   they  

been   in   such   a   glorious   situation   and   never  

have   I  been  so  proud  of  these  100  girls  who  

participated.  

“I   have   never   felt   this   good   in   my  

life.   I   created   my   own   dress,   I  

walked   the   runway  and   I   feel   like  a  

new  woman  today.”  

Prexedes  Mumbua,  HMGC  

 

   

   

Maasai  Girls  Responsibilities  and  Hardships  

Health  Training  for  Girls  In  Kenya,  many  women   and   children  die  from   easily   preventable   diseases.     Small  infections  routinely   treated  by  a  hospital  become   complicated   for   those   living   in  the  slums.  

To   combat   this   personal   health   issue,  FICCS   provides   over   100   girls   each   year  with   healthcare   training,   medical   check  ups   and   nursing   scholarships   for   top  students.  

Not   only   do   the   girls   learn   how   to   take  care   of   their   own   personal   health   and  hygiene,  they  also  receive  skills  which  can  be  used  and  shared  in  the  communities  in  which  they  live.  

Mosquito  Nets  Save  Lives  200  mosquito  nets  were  donated  to  rural  Maasai   communities   in   Loita   Hills   and  Magadi,   Kenya.     Due   to   increased   rains,  which   are  much   needed,   there   was   also  an  increase  in  mosquitoes  

This   has   a   devastating   effect   on   rural  communities,  which  live  side  by  side  with  their  animals.    In  addition,  FICCS  supports  these   communities   with   malaria  medicines,   school   supplies   and   other  assorted  medical  supplies.  

“Due  to  the  rains,  the  mosquitoes  have  been  bringing  a  lot  of  

malaria.  The  children  suffer  the  most  because  we  do  not  have  nets  or  medicines.  Many  times  

they  just  die.”                                                                                  Peter  Tingai,  Maasai  Elder  

 

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The  Maasai  girl  compared  to  the  boy  has  a  lot  of  responsibilities  to  attend  at  home  due  to  the  

fact   that   though   she   is   born   into   that   family,   she   is   being   prepared,   tortured,   trained   and  

made   both   physically   and   psychologically   to   become   a   wife   in   her   future   home.   These  

hardships  are  making  Maasai  girls  an  endangered  species.    Some  of  these  problems  go  to  the  

extent  of  violating  the  girls’  rights  and  need  to  be  solved  if  the  communities  are  to  enjoy  the  

service  of  the  Maasai  girl.    These  responsibilities  limit  their  ability  to  attend  school.  

1. Fetching  water  and  firewood  –  They  begin  at  age  7  and  walk  up  to  10  miles  per  day  

2. Cooking  food  for  the  family  –  Being  prepared  to  be  a  wife  she  cooks  for  the  entire  

family  and  does  not  even  get  to  eat  the  food  she  prepares.  This  is  tradition.  

3. Keeping  the  house  –  Domestic  chores  cannot  be  performed  by  boys  

4. Cleaning/washing  –  With  many  pots  and  utensils  this  can  take  all  day  

5. Taking  care  of  younger  siblings  –  In  absence  of  mother  the  girls  do  everything  

6. Newborns-­‐  Learn  to  take  care  of  the  babies  to  prepare  for  their  own  children  

7. Entertaining  morans  –A  moran  is  a  carefree  young  man  waiting  to  be  an  adult  and  

warrior.  This  spreads  HIV  as  the  girls  look  up  to  the  morans  and  often  get  pregnant.  

8. Washing  all  clothes  and  baby  items  

9. Herding  

10. Milking  the  animals  

HARDSHIPS  include  the  following:  

1. Early  Marriages  

2. Denial  to  chose  husband  

3. Discomfort  in  house  

4. Load  of  domestic  chores  

5. Not  allowed  to  inherit  family  items  

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Sanitary  Pads  Improve  School  Attendance  “Most  girls  use  old  rags  or  other  unsanitary  measures  and  are  forced  to  miss  weeks  of  school  each  semester”  Peninah  Musyimi,  Safe  Spaces  Of  all  the  surprises  in  2012  it  has  easily  been  the  introduction  of  our  Sanitary  Pad  program.    Girls  in   the  programs  lack  such  basic  essentials,  which  often  cause  them  to  miss  weeks  of  school  and  force  them  to  leave  their  jobs.  

This   also   forces   girls   to  use  unsanitary   rags,  which   lead   to   further   infections  and   complications.  Combined  with  a   lack  of  clean  water  and   ignorance  among  male  community  members,  girls  are  often  discriminated  against  and  suffer  unjustly  during  this  time  of  month.  

There   is   no   sympathy   for   the   girls   and   the   though   of   spending  money   on   pads   for   a   father   is  unthinkable.    This  leaves  the  girls  in  precarious  situations  whereas  their  health  is  in  jeopardy.  

Thanks   for  FICCS   and  their   Sanitary  Pad   support,  many  of   these   girls   now  go   to   school   or  work  freely  not  worrying  about  their  menstruation  cycle  for  the  first  time  in  their  lives.  

 

   

 

 

2012  Achievements  and  Impact  Health  Training  40  girls  completed  healthcare  and  hygiene  training                                                                                                                                  

130  girls  to  date  have  completed  15  week  health  training  class                                                                                        

Families  and  communities  have  benefited  from  girls  sharing  new  knowledge                                              

Decrease  in  minor  wounds  and  injuries  

Feeding  Program  

Over  1000  children  receiving  direct  food  support            Increase  in  school  attendance  

Increase  in  program  attendance                                                                      Boost  morale  and  improve  self-­‐esteem  

Scholarships  

Two  Teaching  Scholarship  begin  in  January  2013                  Three  Nursing  scholarships  begin  in  

March  2013          One  high  school  scholarship  begins  in  January  2013  

UPCOMING  EVENTS  

March  2013  –  Chicago  Fundraiser  –  Changing  Lives  in  Kenya    

Olympic  Dreams  Come  True  Elizabeth  Andiego      (blue  trunks)                                  Box  Girls  Kenya  Coach                                    First  Kenyan  Female  Olympic  Boxer  

 

 Sponsors  and  Partners  Metronic  *  St.  Jude  Medical  *  

Nairobi  X  Ray  *  Meditec  Systems  *  Fuji  Film  Kenya  *  

Aqualia  Foundation  *  Hawkers  Market  Girls  Center  *  Box  Girls  Kenya  *  Safe  Spaces  *  Ramah  Care  Center  *  Shompole  Group  

Ranch  Maasai  *  Loita  Hills  Group  Ranch  Maasai  *  Karen  

Hospital  *  Melchizedek  Hospital  *  Advocate  Medical  Group  *  Advocate  Lutheran  General  Hospital  *      St  Pius  X  *  Grand  World  Wide  Logistics  *  Under  the  Acacia*  Kenyatta  Hospital  

FICCS  (Foundation  for  International  Cardiac  &  Children’s  Services)  

1010  Sheridan  Road  Wilmette,  IL    60091  

1-­‐224-­‐875-­‐1631  info@ficcs.net  www.ficcs.net  

   

Special  Thanks  to  the  Affinati  Family  from  Chicago