LWR VICE PRESIDENT VISITS KELC
The Lutheran World Relief Vice president for International programs Mr. Timothy Mccully accompanied by his East Africa regional heads today made a courtesy visit to KELC. The team met Bishop Zachariah Kahuthu and other program persons to learn, listen and engage with KELC staff on the implemention of the HIV and AIDS, Malaria program. In his message Mccully noted with appreciation the existing partnership between KELC and LWR on Malaria program. “We intend to work as a team to strategize with intention of scaling-up our program on Malaria by building on what has been achieved” – said Mccully.
Bishop Zachariah Kahuthu presents a gift to Mr. Timothy Mccully during his visit to KELC Head office.
The HIV and AIDS, Malaria coordinator Mr. Darius Nyamai noted that KELC had managed to train and mobilize church leadership on prevention of malaria. He went on to say that through the LWR Malaria project KELC had linked its congregants with health facilities a move that has improved referral system that prevents infection of malaria. “We have reached out to 8,052 children in seven parishes/mission areas and Sunday school children use songs, drama to learn and prevent malaria infection” Darius added.
The KELC malaria program aims at improving access to and utilization of malaria and HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment measures, with pilot in seven focus areas of KELC, specifically among children, pregnant women, and people living with HIV and AIDS. The three year program which focuses on malaria prone areas: Kambu, Malindi, Mombasa, Lunga Lunga, Tana River, Hola Wenje, and Ukambani; has reached-out to 39,000 people with malaria messages disseminated through posters and other IEC materials. Even though KELC has made tremendous steps in malaria sensitization and prevention; the cost of ITN’s still poses a challenge and threatens such gains if families especially women and children under five do not receive treated nets.
Apart from KELC, the Lutheran World Relief supports similar work with lutherans in Tanzania. The Lutheran Malaria Initiative is a five years program intended to raise awareness on malaria by sensitizing on prevention, treatment and access to drugs and treated mosquito nets to women and children below the age of five.
