Maasailand begins about 40 km west of Nairobi and extends across the border to Tanzania. Jambo volunteers is active in the District of Kajiado North which is the closest to the capital. Even tough this area is near Nairobi, the climate here is very distinct form the one in the capital. It is an arid zone characterized by african savannah. In consequence it is struck by water shortage. There is also a severe lack of infrastructure in terms of electricity, road and public transportation, school, health clinics and stores. The majority of the population in this area belongs to the Maasai tribe, traditionally nomadic and dedicated almost exclusively to livestock. The general objective of our projects in Maasailand is to participate with the community of the Maasai in its development as a society, bringing them closer to the 21st century in a realistic manner. Our work in focused on the main problems in the area and targets to improve education, generate income opportunities and the community in transition in the challenges they face in the present.
Saikieri's dispensary is located in the Maasailand remote area, where health facilities are hard to get. Around 7000 people belong to this area and therfore to this dispensary.
Problemas encontrados en el dispensario:
Infrastructure and equipment:
- Lack of a proper MATERNITY WARD to give birth.
- Lack of a LABORATORY to diagnose effectively.
- Lack of electric POWER.
- Lack of EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE and QUICK RESPONSE SERVICES.
- Lack of a modern management services.
Hygiene:
Lack of PUBLIC RESTROOMS for the patients. In January 2010 El Niño swept them away.
Lack of an INCINERATOR. Currently there is no adequate method to deal with pollutant and contagious waste.
Lack of a PIT for garbage disposal care.
Lack of paint. The facilities are in a bad condition, partly because of the poor painting.
Lack of running WATER.
Once the local most problematic issues are analysed, we observe that at Saikieri's dispensary one out of three children dies at birth or soon thereafter.This happens because of the lack of infrastructure and the lack of hygiene at the dispensary, which prevent successful labours.
GENERAL OBJECTIVE:
To reduce MATERNAL and INFANT mortality during pregnancy, labor or soon after children's delivery, through the development of sanitary, hygiene and computer infrastructures.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
At this moment, it is necessary to set up the parameters that will enable us to follow-up the development of the project from the start:
-To supply a modern maternity room in order to maximize successful and safe children's deliveries.
-To increase the hygiene levels through cleanning
-To increase rapid action and quick response through ambulance.
-To update management through computers.
Bead work project with the Maasai Women Groups
The Maasai traditionally craft and wear colorful jewelery made of beads and natural products. Currently, there are 3 groups of about 30 women who are working on handcrafting traditional jewelery such as bracelets, belts, necklaces as well as decoration items. Promoting income generation activities for the Maasai women is the main purpose of this project. Jambo Volunteers provides advice on issues concerning the sale and marketing of the products. We colaborate directly with the women and participate not only in the management, but also support the administation. More over we council them on the designs and the extension of the range of artistic products. Furthermore the meetings with the women are used to discuss socio- economic problems of the community. One of the goals for the near future is to achieve Fair Trade conditions to improve the sales channels.
Support projects at different schools in Maasailand
Different schools in Maasailand are supported by Jambo Volunteers in order to improve education. At these schools funds are often not available to solve basic problems. We have several micro projects running at the schools with the objective to improve the general infrastructure and to solve current problems sur place.
Kimuka Primary School:
There are now 250 boys and girls attending classes at Kimuka Primary School. This school lacks funds to improve the equipment and to pay additional teachers who are necessary due to the increased number of pupils. Our support for Kimuka Primary School has covered several aspects so far: Among othere we have installed new doors in two classrooms to improve security, cabinetes have been constructet to store school materials. Additionally the coverage of a teacher's salary for one whole year is conducted by Jambo Volunteers.
Kimuka Secondary Girls:
Jambo Volunteers supported the construction of a laboratory at Kimuka Secondary Girls School with a donation at the fundraising event which was organized by the Young Students Maasai Association.
Olomaroloi Primary School:
The school has among 180 students. The micro-projects of Jambo Volunteeres at Olomaroroi Primary School covered several activities. Among the most essential improvements was the provision of tables in the classrooms for the teachers. The staff room for the teachers was supplied with chairs. Jambo Volunteers have covered the exam fees for all pupils to ensure that all children can take the exams. Furthermore, we provide financial support for children from poorer families trough the payment of general school fees and uniforms. We are also organizing sport events such as volleyball and provide the sports materials. Padlocks have been allocated to the school to improve security and to prevent the equipment to get stolen.
Olmaroroi Twin Pre-School:
The Olmaroroi Twin pre-school is an initiative of the MAGSA-OUTREACH organization to promote education for young children. This children education program targets those children at the ages of 3-6 years who have attained the age of going to school but still stay at home. Common reasons for not attending school are: poverty, lacking awareness of the importance of education by parents and long walking distances to the closest school. Jambo Volunteers provided the Olmaroroi Twin Pre-School with chairs for the pupils to improve the infrastructure and to ensure a proper learning environment.
Youth projects (soccer tournaments)
The Olmaroroi Twin pre-school is an initiative of the MAGSA-OUTREACH organization to promote education for young children. This children education program targets those children at the ages of 3-6 years who have attained the age of going to school but still stay at home. Common reasons for not attending school are: poverty, lacking awareness of the importance of education by parents and long walking distances to the closest school. Jambo Volunteers provided the Olmaroroi Twin Pre-School with chairs for the pupils to improve the infrastructure and to ensure a proper learning environment.
Construction of a community centre in Kimuka
This project covers the construction of a community centre with a room for 50 people seated and 2 offices each equipped with a computer. This will facilitate the youths, women and the community as a whole by providing a central meeting place without having to walk a long distance and to undertake their activities efficiently. The community centre will be used for the following services:
Youth seminars: This is where the youths can come together to discuss issues affecting there community
Women workshops: The women’s group meets once a week to make their beaded jewelry
Library: The centre is also going to be a library, offering historic books, newspaper services, computer services, and training
Immunization: With a centre close by the parents will be encouraged to ensure that their children get the immunization for diseases like polio, TB and influenza.
Chicken Coop at schools for income generation
The Chicken Project is for pupils by pupils, therefore it was started at Kimuka School. In present there are chickens of 3 different age groups raised. The oldest ones are the egg layers, they are generating the profit. The eggs are sold on the local market and with the earned money food is bought, vaccinations are payed and the project is being extended. The remaining surplus is used to supply the school with teaching materials, to pay the exam fees and to provide basic equipment like chairs, doors, tables and others which are still missing. There are thee groups of objectives which are targeted: the children, the school and the community. We try to empower the students, to give them knowledge and teach them the importance of responsibility for there work. They have a clear devision of labour. There are a Chairman, a Treasurer and a Secretary. Above all there is a equal presentation of genders in the responsible Comity. Secondary school students are teaching the younger ones about the tasks involved in the project. The school can be supplied with essential necessities. And the community benefits through a transfer of knowledge and a discount on the eggs. Through to the great success of the Chicken Project we are intending to extend it.
