Organization: Immaculate Heart Sisters

Project Manager: Sr. Caroline Atieno

Acknowledgement

Compliments of the season and greetings from akaraterete nursery primary school and Sisters, here in Kenya. As a school and congregation we would like first of all to acknowledge your sincere feedback and consideration in a time when we were in need. Following our request for the above mentioned project to your esteemed organization, we were deeply pleased and honored that you responded to our plea and assisted us to realize the objectives of our project .Indeed, having tried to solicit for financial assistance for some time, your response was not only timely but a great blessing to our congregation, children are the targeted population for our project areas in which we work in. Indeed our congregation is still growing and we have made tremendous effort through our pastoral and developmental activities to ensure that we achieve the missions in line with the world we live in. Herein, we wish to submit detailed progress report that captures the implementation of the proposed project activities and expected outcomes as per the project indicators.

Narrative / Financial Report of Project on Feeding Programme

The sisters on behalf of  Akaraterete Nursery Primary School applied for fund  grant from the The Catriona Hargreaves Charitable Trust in UK to assist in the Project of feeding programme for  akaraterete primary nursery school from  needy families. The Project was meant to alleviate the suffering caused by the Pandemic, which has been a great menace to the life of the people and other parents losing jobs thus not able to pay school fees to enable us to be able to feed the children well. Equally the children come from very humble backgrounds even school fees and feeding they cannot afford thus they depend on goodwill.

According to the World Bank, a school feeding program is a targeted social safety net that provides benefits both educational as well as health related ones to vulnerable students thus causing a rise in their enrollment rates, a reduction in cases of absenteeism and improving the food security situation at the household level.

Another benefit of school feeding programs to the pupils is that the food provided in schools improves their energy levels. When these energy levels are improved, the pupils can concentrate better in class and as such, they are able to perform better in their classes. It provides support to the student’s parents and guardians.

School feeding programs have so many positive impacts to the community and the students highlighting these are some of the benefits of school feeding programs to the students and the surrounding community we came to realize.

Our Core Values

• Commitment to needy pupils
• Partnerships
• Integrity and Discipline
• Teamwork
• Responsiveness
• Respect for People
• Encourage environmental soundness
• Promote people-centered development
• Strive to excel
• Punctuality

Our Mission Statement

Akaraterete Primary Nursery School exists to empower children to reach their full potential by providing sustainable, affordable and accessible quality  education to needy girls in the community.

Our Vision

Empower children who can reach their full potential so that they are healthier, able to make their own decisions and through their education, enable their families and communities to florish in future.

Goals: The goal of the programme is to provide a school-based feeding for pupils  in akaraterete primary school for pupils whom most of them are poor, orphans and vulnerable school children.

Objectives: The main objective of the programme is to provide accountability and learning purposes in achieving various educational modalities, gender disparity among girl-child and from poor background. Increase the number of discriminated, exploited and neglected children; to enrollment in schools in all levels and maintain them in the schools by providing easy way to access their education through feeding programme.

Some benefits of school feeding programs/Expected Outcomes

It promotes higher school attendance and reduces rate of drop outs
A large number of pupils in developing countries are unable to attend school because they have no access to a meal or cannot get all the meals required in a day for their healthy growth. A number of them are even forced to do odd jobs and work hard despite their young age to earn just that one meal to keep them going. School feeding programs attract more pupils  to school as it assures them of a meal. It also keeps them in school thereby reducing their dropout rates.

It promotes the health and development of students
Lack of food or an improper diet causes malnutrition among children. This in turn stands in the way of proper development of the children and their activity. School feeding programs provide a healthy diet to children, though simple, which facilitates their healthy growth and development. It keeps the children away from nutritional diseases.

It improves concentration and educational performance in school
Another benefit of school feeding programs to the community is that the food provided in schools improves their energy levels. When these energy levels are improved, the pupils can concentrate better in class and as such, they are able to perform better in their classes.

It provides support to the pupil’s parents and guardians
It is the responsibility of parents and/or guardians to provide money for feeding in the school. However, due to poverty levels, some are not able to do this regularly. They can however benefit from school feeding programs for their pupils as the programs take the burden of feeding their pupils off their shoulders. They are able to focus on other tasks with the assurance that their pupils will eat in school.

It promotes farmers and local vendors
Farmers and local vendors also benefit from school feeding programs because the programs increase the demand for their produce in order for them to feed all those pupils in school. They are encouraged to work harder and smarter in order to reap the benefits.

It helps the community rise above poverty
The programs help keep the pupils  in school and as such, they are better placed to complete their education. With an increase in the number of pupils completing school, the community will in the long term experience an improvement in their economy, thus rise above poverty.

Beneficiaries
The main direct beneficiaries of the project are the children of akaraterete nursery primary school and the staff members too. The indirect beneficiaries are the people from around their parents and the society at large since a hungry student is a threat to the community and others. This is because the sisters, do not make any distinction based on religion in its social projects which greatly impact the lives of the general community.

Sustainability

This project will be sustained by the sisters and the parents of the pupils. To cater for general feeding, we will be saving some amount from the students school fees look for donations from friends and contributions of which it will be saved and kept in case of any food shortage, the amount will be used to purchase food items.

Funds Received and Project Execution

The sum of one thousand seven hundred pounds (£1700) was approved by The Catriona Hargreaves Charitable Trust (CHCT) which was received in our account and the equivalent of Kshs: 259,590 at the rate of exchange @ 152.70

• Approved amount: Kshs: 259,590 (£1700)
• Own contribution: Kshs. 122,600 (£ 800)
• TOTAL AMOUNT: Kshs  382,190

Expenditure:

• Food items purchased: Kshs: 380,550
• Total expenditure: Kshs: 380,550
• Balance remaining: Kshs: 1,640

Conclusion and Appreciation

In general, a total of 100 students will be fed by the funds received from The Catriona Hargreaves Charitable Trust. This is an indication that despite the unexpected prolonged time of the Pandemic we have been able to meet our objective. Though the Pandemic is not over yet but we are gradually moving out of the most difficult part of it.

The sisters, the beneficiaries and indeed the entire people of Akaraterete are indeed very grateful to The Catriona Hargreaves Charitable Trust for this kind gesture. It was a big relieve during the most difficult moment of these families and consequently made a great positive impact on the entire school. May God continue to bless The Catriona Hargreaves Charitable Trust and all the benefactors and benefactresses who made this project a success.

Organisation: Lepra

Report: November and December 2021

Leprosy Active Case Finding, Disability Prevention and Financial Support

Lepra is excited to update you on the significant progress that has been made with the Catriona Hargreaves Charitable Trust (CHCT) funding in November and December this year. Our team in Andhra Pradesh regularly provided us with up-to-date information about the ongoing project activities related to active case finding, disability prevention and training programmes for the frontline health functionaries.

From regularly conducting surveys, finding new areas for the active case findings, leading disability prevention activities, disseminating information to identifying new volunteers from the community and training them on Leprosy, our team ensured the smooth operation of all the activities promised. Moreover, it has been a continuous effort to identify leprosy-affected people through active case finding, disability prevention, and to connect them with livelihood opportunities.

Besides managing these operational activities of the project, we made sure the administrative requirements are fulfilled, such as submitting the letter of request for conducting surveys and training to the State Leprosy Officer (SLO) so that the project can go on without any obstacles from different stakeholders.

The following are the major accomplishments from the project in November and December 2021:

Survey Activities:

The Rapid Enquiry Survey (RES) was conducted in 4 areas (Chinnapuram, Ranigarithota, Surampalli, Machilipatnam) with 2 volunteers in November and December.  Around 1020 Households were covered during the survey, and a total population of 3888 were enumerated, out of which 3397 were examined. Among 13 suspect cases, 5 Multibacillary (MB) and 1 Paucibacillary (PB) cases were reported, and they were kept under Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) at the concerned Primary Health Care Center and Urban Health Centers.

Contact survey:

The Contact Survey was conducted in 14 areas- Pedana, Bandipalem, Chinnapuram, Venkata Durgambapuram, Baptistpalem, New RR Peta, Singh Nagar, Rajeevnagar, Kandrika, Wynchipeta, Kedareswaripeta, L.B.S.Nagar, Maduranagar, and Patamata Vijayawada urban areas, where through contract tracing we covered 35 households, enumerated 125 people, and examined 108 people. Through this survey we found 3 suspects but none of the cases was confirmed.

Focal Survey:

The focal survey was conducted in 6 areas at Bandipalem, Pedana, Venkata Durgambapuram, Chinnapuram, Kondapalli, Budavada, Vatsavai, Talluru, and Machinenipalemm Jaggaiahpet,  where with the involvement of 11 volunteers, the Focal Survey was conducted in November.  A total of 1529 Households were covered during the survey.  4924 people were enumerated and 4326 were examined.  Out of 23 suspects, 1 Multibacillary (MB) case was reported and the person was kept under MDT at Local Urban Health Center.

In December, a Focal survey was conducted in 6 areas at Malkapuram, Indugupally, Buchavaram, and Vijayawada urban area by 6 volunteers. Through this survey, 1529 households were covered like the previous month during the survey. Among them, 853 people were enumerated and 723 people were examined. 7 suspects have been reported, where 2 Paucibacillary (PB) cases were confirmed and they are kept under Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT).

Mobile IEC Van Awareness Generation:

During November, approximately 556 pamphlets were distributed with the support of the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) mobile van before conducting the survey, and a mic announcement was arranged for creating awareness on Leprosy. 86 USHAs (Urban Social Health Activists) were trained in two areas- Rajeev Nagar and Vatsavai UHCs.

In December, 1014 Pamphlets were distributed with the support of the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) mobile van before the Survey Programmes took place. During the IEC Van Propaganda in Jonnapadu village, 2 MB Cases were reported and they were kept under MDT at the nearby Primary Health center and both of these people started Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) for MB.

Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation Services:

During November, Lepra organized 3 camps in the Krishna District, through which we reached 37 people affected by Leprosy with much needed Disability Prevention and Medication Rehabilitation (DPMR) services. Around 37 people with grade 1 and grade 2 disabilities were provided with self-care kits, and among them, 15 people received customized MCR footwear. In addition, physio aids were provided to 8 participants in the camp.

In December, we managed to organize 4 camps in the Krishna District, and through these camps, we reached 45 Leprosy affected people with Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation Services (DPMR) services. In these camps, counselling, basic health education, and ulcer care were provided as a part of the DPMR services. Self-care kits were also provided to all 45 people with grade 1 and grade II disabilities. Moreover, Lepra provided 21 custom made MCR footwear to the target beneficiaries. For those who needed further support, different types of physio aids were provided such as goggles, crepe bandages, splints etc.

Socio-Economic Rehabilitation for Persons affected with Leprosy:

In November, Lepra successfully provided financial support with an amount of 10,000 INR to 5 leprosy-affected people to enable different livelihood opportunities such as petty shop extension, cloth business, mobile cart for selling food etc. Moreover, in December, Lepra addressed 5 Leprosy affected people and connected them with such socio-economic rehabilitation opportunities.

Organisation: Foundation for Development and Relief Africa (FIDRA)

Project contact: Ocen Ivan Kenneth

Two years of finding missing TB cases, and improving TB treatment and TB prevention in Remote Rural Communities in Uganda

Tuberculosis (TB) is still a major public health problem in Uganda. In 2016, the estimated TB incidence rate was 253 per 100,000 population, with 89,000 people becoming infected with TB annually, according to the 2016 Uganda National TB and Leprosy Survey.

Community TB Awareness, Test and Treat Project is an initiative that  provide a unique creation of voluntarily and  accessible TB Screening and treatment to the poor communities dwelling in the remotes and hard to reach rural communities, Raise community awareness on the dangers of TB and other neglected diseases, Identify, promote and enable early diagnosis, adherence to treatment and follow up on all cases of TB patients, Facilitate lifestyle changes that ultimately prevent the onset of these diseases and Train community TB health workers, ambassadors, and educators to monitor, respond and improve the quality of life of TB patients in rural communities of Northern Uganda.

Technical assistance was needed to find missing cases of TB, increase TB treatment success rates, and strengthen TB prevention to end the TB epidemic in Uganda. For example, out of an estimated 1,736 multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB cases, only 516 were detected, according to the 2016 survey.

FIDRA’s Community TB Awareness, Test and Treat Project was a 2 years project with a central goal of increasing TB case detection and treatment success to 90% of all cases to end the TB epidemic in rural communities of Northern Uganda.

FIDRA’s Community TB Awareness, Test and Treat Project also contributed to increased advocacy activities, including stakeholder engagement, local coordination committee meetings, and annual conferences.

TB operations research, knowledge management, and improving District TB policy: FIDRA facilitated development of community TB meetings, developed and scaled up change packages using continuous quality improvement approaches for actively finding missing TB patients, improving treatment success rates, accelerating preventative therapy initiation, improving patient retention, and authoring community TB activity implementation.

Two years in Numbers

• 2,542 rural communities sensitized, 692 screened and tested and 85 treated for TB
• 25 community TB educators and  ambassadors  trained and re-training, monitoring and following up on TB clients within their rural communities
• 25 awareness campaigns on TB
• 10 community TB ambassadors identifying victims and connecting them to early screening and treatment
• 15 community outreaches conducted  on TB screening, testing and treatment

Challenges

• The total number of turn up for TB Awareness, Testing and Treatment continue to be overwhelming despite outreaches taken to remote rural communities
• Transportation to clients household for routine check and follow ups

Recommendation

We have procured and donated two bicycles to our community TB educators to deliver services to the clients. We recommend CHCT support us to procure 4 more additional bicycles to support community service workers with delivering their activities in the hard to reach communities.

As we prepare for the Christmas and Official Launch of FIDRA’s New Home.  We would like to thanks you a lot for the support we wish to continue working with you in the coming years.

Organisation: Bombay Leprosy Project

Director: Dr V V Pai

Fundraising for BLP COVID-19 Response

After seeing the horrific devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in India, one of the Trustees of CHCT and her daughter raised money to help the BLP in their work. Louise Dobing visited the BLP in Mumbai and the Isobel Livingston Satellite Unit before the pandemic and was greatly impressed by the organisation’s outstanding work and dedication. Louise and Teresa were able to raise £500 for frontline work carried out by the BLP.

 

 

Organisation: Hands around the World

Executive Officer: Bridget Higginson

Students from the 2021 intake

The photos below are of the 2021 intake of 6 students doing the nursing assistant course in Zambia. They are just starting their attachments in Keembe hospital, some 60 km from Monze. (In photo 1, L-R: David Soko, Edem Munkombwe, Ian Chilumbe, Betty Michelo, Tililengi Phiri, Hildah Mpile)

 

 

 

Organisation: Lepra

Report: September 2021

Lepra is excited to update you on the progress that has been made with the Catriona Hargreaves Charitable Trust (CHCT) project activities this September. CHCT made a donation of £3000 towards this work.

Our state coordinator of Andhra Pradesh updated us on the current status of the project and ongoing activities that took place for active case finding, disability prevention, and information dissemination. This month, almost 5000 pamphlets were printed for the dissemination of information. The areas for conducting Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation (DPMR) surveys, and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) mobile van initiatives were also identified. During these trying times of the pandemic, Lepra Society was able to identify 5 more volunteers from the community and trained them on Leprosy. Besides, Lepra Society is making sure that the relevant stakeholder like State Leprosy Officer is well-informed of our current activities, and we submitted a letter of request to him for smoothly conducting surveys in our desired areas. Lepra staff and the ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists) trained in this project are strictly adhering to social distancing rules while conducting surveys, providing information, and raising awareness in the densely populated areas of Ramaraja Nagar, Ranigari Thota, Bupesh Gupta Nagar, Tarakarama Nagar. In particular, this mobile van has been effectively raising awareness about how to contact Lepra immediately if the people spot any apparent signs and symptoms of Leprosy, as it has been difficult for many people to seek medical help for any non-COVID diseases during the pandemic.

The following are the major accomplishments during the month of September:

Survey Activities:

The Rapid Enquiry Survey was conducted in 4 areas (Ramaraja Nagar, Ranigari Thota, Bupesh Gupta Nagar, Tarakarama Nagar) with 5 new volunteers in September 2021. A total of 2540 Households were covered during the survey. Around 8570 people were enumerated and 6591 were examined in this process. Out of 45 identified cases, 1 multibacillary (MB) case was reported and kept under multi-drug therapy (MDT) at a local level Urban Health Center.

Mobile IEC Van Awareness Generation:

Almost 981 Pamphlets were distributed with the support of the IEC Mobile van before the survey activities took place.

Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation Services:

These services were carried out in 4 camps in the Krishna District and reached around 49 Leprosy-affected people with DPMR services. Counselling, health education, and ulcer care were provided. Self-care kits were provided in the camp to all the 49 people with Grade 1 and Grade II disabilities. 23 customized micro-cellular rubber (MCR) Footwears were issued. The Physio aids were provided to 16 attendees (goggles, crepe bandages, and splints).

Highlighted Activities in September 2021

1. Initiation of training for ASHA workers (frontline workers)
2. Livelihood support for 5 leprosy-affected people
3. Survey activities – 4 areas
4. DPMR activities – 4 areas

A word from CHCT founder, Cynthia Stanford:

As the 2021 financial year ends, I reflect on another extraordinary year. The global pandemic has added an additional burden to the fragile health and destitution of some of the worlds most needy peoples.

CHCT is a true grass-roots charity, administered entirely by volunteers. Every penny donated goes directly to improve the lives of those experiencing the most extreme of poverty, and overcoming health challenges that are long forgotten in the developed world.

We fund projects not funded by big organisations, where the smallest contributions can make the biggest difference.

Read on to hear how your generosity has transformed lives, with £41,360 given to 14 projects in 2021.  On behalf of the people benefiting from the projects you’ve made happen, and from the team at CHCT, a heartfelt thank you.

Nursing A Legacy

In 2021, our biggest single grant was £16,779.00. This follows CHCT receiving a generous bequest from nurse Isabel Mary Livingstone, who had worked alongside CHCT founders, Professor John and Cynthia Stanford. We’re sure that Isabel would be delighted that her legacy enabled the success of aspirant nurses to follow in her footsteps. These students, due to poverty, would otherwise not have been able to complete their studies.

CHCT trustees wrote to the students and explained Isabel’s legacy and a little about what we do.  We were so impressed with the success of our first cohort of trainee nurses, and the lasting legacy of funding their studies, that we extended our support, via our partners ‘Hands Around the World’, to enable additional students to gain relevant qualifications which would enhance their future employability. 6 students from Zambia each completed a year-long nursing assistant diploma course. One 1 Ugandan, 2 Zambian and 3 Kenyan students completed their nursing degrees, on courses ranging from 2.5 – 4 years duration.

One of our students, Esther, sent us the following:

Esther, nursing student

“Hello, let take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for your continued support. I am currently in the third year of Nursing school. I am also in the second clinical placement in the labour ward. Taking care of expectant mothers and their unborn babies throughout the process of successful delivery has been one of my enjoyable moments in the hospital. Being able to integrate theory learnt in midwifery into practice in the ward, conducting successful deliveries. My latest achievements have been taking care of the new-borns and caring for the mothers after delivery so far.  Am hoping by the end of my attachment, I will have gained good experience in midwifery and giving perinatal care. This will help me deliver the best care to mothers even after school. Thanks again for your support, may God bless you.”

Students Margaret and Ireen sent us photos of them in school, and they, and their schools, kept us up to date with their progress. Margaret found studying tough but persevered. Ireen spoke of her eagerness to serve the community and her commitment to do her very best.

All of our students have thanked CHCT and our supporters who have helped them to break the cycle of poverty and create futures with real employment prospects.

C.I.G.R.O. WASH Group Tanzania: Producing sunflower seed oil

CHCT’s £1,800 grant enabled the purchase and installation of a sunflower seed oil press. This was for 15 leprosy and TB sufferers to provide income to pay for their health insurance, which in turn enables them to access health services for their condition.  CIGRO sent us some impressive reports which showed their quick action to install and make use of the machine.

Bombay Leprosy Project

BLP are trusted friends of CHCT founder and trustee, Cynthia Stanford. Leprosy remains widespread in the tribal clusters of Thane, Raigad and Palghar districts of India, despite it having been claimed to have been eliminated in 2005.  With £5,000 support from CHCT, BLP has continued to raise awareness of leprosy in India, and to enable referrals to appropriate services.

Wamba Community Trust, Kenya

CHCT agreed to fund £1000 to repair the 10-year-old water reservoir/tank which is the only fresh water source for the community of Margwe in Wamba, including the local primary school. The tank was leaking badly and most of the water was being wasted.  It has now been repaired and painted, waterproofed, and provides fresh water to the community. The group sent us a project report with before and after photos of the repair, and copies of the invoices for the costs.

Rural Aid, Uganda

The £800 grant from CHCT purchased and distributed food to 50 orphan children living with HIV, to promote the effectiveness of their treatment.  The group reported back that they more than doubled their target and that 106 children living with HIV, and 49 grandmothers/grandfathers and other care givers were reached.

The families were from 10 villages in Bobbing, Kabala district. Food supplements include beans, porridge, flour, and vitamins.

The group also distributed farming items to help them grow their own food.

Heart of Kenya Orphans

CHCT have supported this charity for several years, with local (Kent) links to supporters of Heart of Kenya.  £1,000.00 was sent to buy food for starving families who were suffering due to a poor harvest, with poverty and illness made worse by Covid.

Starfish Malawi

£2000 from CHCT supported healthcare provision at the Glad Tidings Orphan Centre (GTOC) in Malawi: one of the poorest countries in the world.   The ‘Hope Clinic,’ which has been fully funded by donations, offers free outpatient services for children and adults which means healthcare reaches people living below the poverty line.

Elizabeth Moyo, one of the community beneficiaries

“My name is Elizabeth Moyo. I was born in Ngolowindo village. I am 87 years old and up to now in 2021 I am still here. Honestly the coming of Hope Clinic has really changed a lot of people’s lives. I remember last year in April before the Clinic was opened I had a stroke in my left leg and I was unable to walk properly despite having to get treatment from Salima Hospital (SDH). I still was struggling to walk, and as SDH is far away I was struggling to get further treatment. Months later God answered my prayers by bringing a clinic nearby where they have been helping me with physiotherapy. Now I can walk again, all thanks to Hope Clinic.”

The clinic has 6 staff members and volunteers who worked exceptionally hard to help over 6,503 people in April and May 2021 alone.  Numbers reduce when the cooler, drier season period starts, when there is less malaria and cholera.

Sahara Advocates of Change

We have previously funded this group who provide good evidence to us of the progress of their projects. On this occasion we provided a grant of £2,001 to support health education, hepatitis B testing and vaccination.

The project tested 167 children in 3 rural communities: Dodoma, Wechaiu Bau and Seygoyiri.

Dodoma is a farming area with only one borehole serving 1500 people, without electricity. They were very receptive to outside assistance, and have been supported to build a school kitchen and to provide handwashing and drinking facilities.  The children who tested positive were referred to Hospital for treatment. Those testing negative were vaccinated twice. Unfortunately, 100 children missed their final vaccination as they were too afraid to come out of their homes due to Covid-19.  Despite this, community education and testing were successful. In Dodoma, the team took the opportunity to educate some of the women and the Chief on Covid-19.

Wechaiu-Bau is also a subsistence farming community, but has electricy.

Seyguyiri is a very far-flung community, about 5 hours from the capital (Damongo) of the Savannah region. Most people are subsistence farmers and their children are not in school. They typically have to trek over 2 to 3 hours to get to the nearest health facility and they have no school, no electricity and one borehole for the community.

Bringing health education, testing and vaccines to these communities would not have happened without CHCT’s grant.

Kiwanyi Health Centre, Uganda

Kiwanyi health centre is the sole clinic for health care services in the Kiwanyi community. The centre had constructed a new maternity ward, however it lacked electrical facilities. There was no light for patients kept overnight, including mothers giving birth at night, and no power to run some of the equipment. The clinic admits 15-30 pregnant mothers and infants with infections per week.

With £2000 the project installed 20 lights powered by 6 solar panel arrays to power the vaccine fridge, microscope, suction machine, and sterilization equipment.

The gift that keeps on giving … MUSTARD SEED, via THE BIG GIVE

Mustard Seed Project Kenya (MSP) is a small UK registered charity (1127935) working in a deprived urban area of Mombasa. It is building a school and providing a feeding programme, preventative health care and quality education to 275 poor children aged 3 – 14 years in classes of 25.

MSP sought to urgently raise £20,000 to complete the building to save £5,000 per year in rent and utilities. CHCT’s pledge of £2,000 was match funded via the Big Give, resulting in £4000 being awarded to MSP for this much needed resource.

Songa Mbele, Kenya

Songa Mbele Masomo Children Centre is a community centre in the Republic of Kenya. The Centre is non-profit making and supports children living with disabilities and vulnerable children in the Mukuru slums, in Nairobi City. CHCT’s £765 purchased food and £360 bought medication for children with disabilities who are being supported by the centre.

F.I.D.R.A. Uganda Tuberculosis Screening

CHCT funded FIDRA in 2019 and agreed to make a further donation of £1,755.00 in 2020. This was to extend TB screening and treatment in the northern remote rural communities of Uganda which had been delayed due to the restrictions and impact of the global Covid-19 pandemic.

The programme screened 692 people and tested and treated 85 of them for TB.  Twenty-five community TB educators and ambassadors were trained to follow up on TB clients within their rural communities. Find out more about the FIDRA programme here.

L.E.P.R.A.

CHCT granted LEPRA £2,100.00 to provide reconstructive surgery, physiotherapy, and post-operative support for 6 people (£350 each) suffering from the disabilities caused by leprosy.  The recipients were marginalised rural people who have been given new opportunities and better life conditions.  LEPRA is a trusted charity who CHCT has worked with previously. Follow these links to read their September 2021 and November/December 2021 updates.

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A surprise gift!

This year, we were surprised and delighted to receive a donation of $100 (US), in lieu of a wedding gift.

We’d be honoured to share your special occasions with you!

Please let your friends and family know that you support CHCT so they can consider donating in your name.

Please click here to find out about other ways that you can support CHCT.

Since registration in 1998, CHCT has made over a hundred cash grants towards life-changing projects, currently running at around £20,000 a year. Typical of these are:

• TB hospitals in Vietnam, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Argentina and India—Food rations for patients to ensure they stay to finish their treatment and cease to be a risk to others.
• Rural India—A mobile clinic in remote mountain areas to detect and treat TB
• Tongole Foundation, Malawi—Self-help feeding project for four schools provided with seeds, tools and cooking utensils.
• Hospitals in Benin and Togo—Surgical instruments, skin grafting equipment, operating theatre lights, industrial washing machines.
• Msutituni, Kenya—The Heart of Kenya project backed by Goudhurst Catholic church in Kent supports a community of AIDS orphans with food.
• Sightsavers—This charity works to preserve sight in places blindness can result from easily treated infections. We also funded Orbis for a flying doctor performing eye treatment.
• Syrian orphans—Refugee children on the outskirts of Aleppo are provided with food, clothing and medical treatment before they are re-homed.
• Mustard Seed, Kenya—Health clinic for a new school, which has also been provided a borehole for clean water.
• Cambodian villages—We have funded a number of wells to be dug in communities where there was no access to fresh water.
• Hands Around The World—Funding to feed HIV orphans in Zambia which can be done for just £1 a month for each child.

Community Based Rehabilitation of the Leprosy Affected Towards Holistic Development Through Participatory Approaches

The organisation is thankful for the grants made possible to our organisation and we were able to cover the intended targeted people. The program was implemented among the lepers who are in a state of poverty prone situations and the habitations are in damaged conditions.

We had organized the family members of the leprosy affected persons and had imparted short training in income generation programs so that they will gain access to income and also provide the basic requirements for the leprosy affected persons and also enable them the health and nutrition in a sustainable and regular manner. The supports were of great assistance to the leprosy affected persons and they were able to find a real time development in their lives.

The short training in goat rearing was followed by the distribution of the goats to 10 beneficiaries. Few families were given the support towards the post rehabilitation from the flood affected situations.

The grant had brought considerable changes in the lives mainly the leprosy affected families.

The health screening had enabled them to get to know their health status and through the screening they were motivated to follow the medical prescriptions.

 

The program implementation was of great use for the families affected by leprosy and the support which had received after the flood situation was of great support to our most neglected and deprived leprosy affected families. The short training in goat rearing, distribution of the goats, health screening were never imagined by them and when these activities were undertaken it had brought considerable improvements in their lives and the beneficiaries have a continuous chances to win their bread. We thank the donor for all the supports extended to our people who were great distress.

I am running the Paddock Wood Half Marathon for Catriona Hargreaves Charitable Trust, specifically for the AIDS orphans of Msutituni Kenya. Over one hundred orphans are cared for by their extended families and their local parish priest. All donations given will help to provide them with one nutritious meal a day, which otherwise they would not have.

To donate, please see How You Can Help.

In this 2015/2016 growing season it is only Chilimani School which has participated in the school garden farming. The school has grown one acres of maize, one acre of groundnuts and half of an acre of soya beans. Members of the community who are responsible of managing the garden have since applied basal fertilizer and ab   out to apply top dressing fertilizer in due course. The crop stand looks promising despite the poor rainfall patterns the area is experiencing due to the effects of the weather change.

The School Management Committee Chairman receiving seeds.

The three schools namely Chankhokwe, Mwalawatongole and Wozi which participated in the school garden farming last year have started feeding their pupils with porridge in their schools in this month of January. Mother group members are responsible for preparation of the food. This feeding program will be done up to a time when the food finishes depending on the number of bags each school harvested.

 

Mr. Maluza tasting porridge before pupils takes their turn at Mwalawatongole School.