Kenya Working Group

This fall a group of Canadian volunteers consisting of three physiotherapists, a speech language pathologist and two occupational therapy students will be traveling to Kenya. The team will be in the programme area to provide direct service to people in the community however realizing that this impact only serves those we have a limited time to see, the group is organizing a training workshop to build the skills of the local rehabilitation professionals that already exist in the area. Read More...

Thanks everyone who came out to see our photo exhibit at the end of November. The evening was a great success!

We had write-up in the Mississauga News Read More...

To celebrate summer and to show our appreciation for all the volunteers that help make the work of the KWG possible, we held a BBQ on June 17th. It was a chance to reconnect as a group and for the four McMaster University students who are traveling to Kenya this year to meet Mr. Okidi (the coordinator of the Disability Service Programme, who was in Canada for WCPT 2007).



Here's an interesting bit of trivia. Of the 24 people in this photo, 18 have been either been to Africa, are going to Africa in 2007 or are originally from Africa.

We have been actively fundraising on behalf of our partner programme in Kenya to replace the vehicle that was the programme's sole mode of transport for the past thirteen years. In rural Kenya, reliable transportation is absolutely essential to meet the needs of the clients we would like to serve.

Update, February 18th, 2007:
So far we have raised $11,000 (CDN) towards the purchase of a replacement vehicle. Despite our valiant efforts, we have hit another road block (no pun intended). A delay in transferring funds combined with higher than anticipated taxes and insurance costs has left the Disability Service program short of funds and the vehicle still outside the community's grasp by approximately $1700 (CDN). While we are deeply disappointed the car dealership has sold the vehicle we had picked out, the project coordinator in Kenya is hopeful to find another that can be purchased for a lesser amount.

Update, April 1st, 2007:

perseverance | noun | steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success

After months of trying, we finally received confirmation from Mr. Okidi that we have purchased a Toyota Hi-Lux double cab pickup truck. Although the Disability Service Programme is based in Western Kenya (near the shore of Lake Victoria), it was necessary to travel nearly 700 KM from Kisumu to Mombassa to find an appropriate vehicle. There are volunteers from Canada traveling to Kenya in July and we will be posting photos and more details in a few months time when they return.

A huge "Thank You" from all of us to everyone who's donations helped make this possible!

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