seminar for its Home-Based Care (HBC) volunteers

 On October 31, 2024, Shirikisho Dispensary held a comprehensive seminar for its Home-Based Care (HBC) volunteers, led by Br. Michael, to introduce and guide them through the newly launched HBC Guidebook. This seminar aimed to equip our volunteers with practical insights and hands-on guidance, reinforcing the dispensary’s commitment to quality and consistency in caring for people living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic conditions. Facilitators provided an in-depth overview of the guidebook, focusing on its structured approaches to patient care, ethical guidelines, and care standards. Key sections of the guidebook were discussed, including patient assessment protocols, palliative care methods, psychological support techniques, and infection control practices. Volunteers were encouraged to ask questions and engage in discussions on real-life applications of the guidebook’s principles, making the session highly interactive and insightful. The seminar enhanced volunteers’ skills in: Patient Assessment and Monitoring: Volunteers were taught techniques for effectively assessing patients’ physical, emotional, and social needs, stressing the importance of consistent documentation and follow-up care. Infection Control and Hygiene: Volunteers were guided on best practices for infection control, including the proper use of personal protective equipment and hygiene measures to protect both caregivers and patients. Emotional and Psychological Support: The guidebook includes strategies for offering psychological support to patients and their families. Volunteers practiced communication techniques for providing compassionate care and learned ways to help patients cope with emotional distress. Nutritional and Medical Assistance: Emphasis was placed on helping patients with dietary guidance and adhering to medical schedules, which are essential for managing long-term health. The seminar was highly effective in helping volunteers understand and apply the guidebook’s content. Volunteers expressed appreciation for the clarity and practicality of the information, with many feeling more confident in their roles as caregivers The HBC seminar was a crucial step in empowering our volunteers to deliver consistent, quality care using the HBC Guidebook as a core resource. We anticipate that the guidebook, along with the knowledge gained in this seminar, will significantly enhance our future efforts in home-based care.

Home-Based Care (HBC) Guidebook

 On October 31, 2024, Shirikisho Dispensary proudly launched the new Home-Based Care (HBC) Guidebook, a comprehensive resource designed to strengthen and support our ongoing care for people living with HIV/AIDS. The guidebook provides volunteers and caregivers with structured, evidence-based approaches to enhance palliative care, medical assistance, and holistic support, reinforcing our commitment to providing compassionate, community-based health services. The HBC Guidebook was created to serve as a foundational tool in our future planning and development of care strategies. By offering step-by-step guidance on managing patients' physical, emotional, and social needs, the guidebook will empower our volunteer caregivers to deliver consistent, high-quality care. Additionally, it includes practical advice on infection control, nutritional support, and psychological counseling, ensuring that care remains comprehensive and patient-centered. The guidebook will be instrumental in standardizing care practices across our teams, enhancing the effectiveness of the home-based care program. With this resource, Shirikisho Dispensary is better equipped to train new volunteers, improve service quality, and expand the reach of our support to more families in need. As we look forward, the guidebook will also serve as a key reference as we adapt to emerging challenges and evolving patient needs. 

The launch of the HBC Guidebook marks a significant milestone in the Oyugis Integrated Project’s dedication to compassionate and sustainable community care. We extend our gratitude to all who contributed to its development and look forward to the continued impact this guide will bring to our caregivers and the community.

Empowering the next Generation

Shirikisho Crafts Students Design African Bags and Build Their Own Brand Shirikisho Crafts, an empowering initiative under the Oyugis Integrated Project (OIP), is transforming lives and fueling dreams in Oyugis, Kenya. Recently, a group of young women enrolled in Shirikisho's craft program has embarked on an exciting venture: designing authentic African bags with the goal of creating their own brand. Driven by their passion and guided by mentors, these students are crafting vibrant, stylish bags that celebrate African heritage and creativity. The project is as much about skill-building as it is about sparking entrepreneurship. The students work with various materials and techniques, blending traditional African designs with modern aesthetics to make bags that stand out in the market. This fusion of heritage and contemporary style gives the girls a unique position in the growing world of African fashion and accessory design.

Through this journey, Shirikisho is instilling essential skills that go beyond the workshop. The girls are learning to craft high-quality products and understand branding, marketing, and financial literacy. With support from Shirikisho Crafts, they are being groomed to become entrepreneurs who will one day run their own businesses, manage their own brands, and uplift their communities.

OIP NEWS LETTER ISSUE 295

 A Heartfelt Thank You and Latest Updates

Dear friends

Warm greetings from OIP!

We are pleased to present Issue 295 of our newsletter, filled with the latest updates and stories from our community. Your unwavering support has made a profound impact on the lives of those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, and we are deeply grateful for your generosity and compassion.

In this issue, you'll find inspiring stories of resilience, updates on our ongoing projects, and a look at the incredible progress we've made together. Your contributions continue to bring hope and positive change to many.

Thank you for standing with us in our mission to support and uplift our community. Together, we are making a difference.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Br. Michael Mbogo 

Coordinator 

Oyugis integrated project 

 

OIP HOMEBASED CARE VOLUNTEERS VISITING CLIENTS

Homebased care is an important mechanism for extending continuation of care by providing in the home the basic nursing care and treatment necessary for many of the afflictions that strike PLWHA’s. it also promotes community awareness of HIV/AIDs, provide powerful examples to motivate behavior change, and decrease the stigma attached to the disease. Moreover, it enables PLWHAs to maintain their families and community roles, it is cost effective and it frees hospital beds and medical personnel for the acutely ill, thus relieving the burden on the health care system.

WORLD ENVIROMENT DAY 2024

World Environment Day, observed annually on June 5th, is a powerful reminder of our collective duty to care for the environment. We can all make a positive impact by embracing sustainable practices in our daily lives, conserving resources, and advocating for eco-friendly solutions. Remember, even small steps like planting trees, reducing waste, or supporting renewable energy contribute to a significant change. Let's work together to ensure a thriving future for our planet! United Nations utilizes the occasion to stress on the fact that there is a need to encourage worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment.

World Environment Day shines a spotlight on pressing environmental challenges. Each year, a distinct theme is chosen, tackling issues like climate change, global warming, and deforestation. This year, the theme of World Environment Day is - Land restoration, desertification and drought resilience. "According to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, up to 40 per cent of the planet's land is degraded, directly affecting half of the world's population. The number and duration of droughts has increased by 29 per cent since 2000 - without urgent action, droughts may affect over three-quarters of the world's population by 2050," the United Nations official website wrote.

The seed of World Environment Day was sown in 1972. The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, held in Stockholm, Sweden on June 5th, sparked critical discussions on environmental protection. To honor this pivotal moment, the first official World Environment Day was celebrated a year later in 1973, and the tradition has continued on the same date ever since.

World Environment Day raises awareness, mobilizes action, and promotes environmental sustainability. Through campaigns, events, and initiatives, World Environment Day inspires individuals and communities to make changes, fostering a sense of urgency and addressing environmental challenges for a sustainable future.

Oyugis integrated project staffs and shirikisho crafts students took the initiative this year to plant more trees within the compound. It was a quick and enjoyable work. Each participant planted one tree and we ended up planting forty trees within a span of fifteen minutes. Last year we did it and we vowed to do it again this year, we look forward to do more next year. Small steps might produce a tremendous influence in future. We are happy to participate in this noble course.

WHY ARE TREES IMPORTANT TO THE ENVIRONMENT?

Trees help clean the air we breathe, filter the water we drink, and provide habitat to over 80% of the world's terrestrial biodiversity.

Forests provide jobs to over 1.6 billion people, absorb harmful carbon from the atmosphere, and are key ingredients in 25% of all medicines. Have you ever taken an Aspirin? It comes from the bark of a tree!

Here are the six pillars that explain why trees are vital:

 

Trees clean the air

Trees help to clean the air we breathe. Through their leaves and bark, they absorb harmful pollutants and release clean oxygen for us to breathe. In urban environments, trees absorb pollutant gases like nitrogen oxides, ozone, and carbon monoxide, and sweep up particles like dust and smoke. Increasing levels of carbon dioxide caused by deforestation and fossil fuel combustion trap heat in the atmosphere. Healthy, strong trees act as carbon sinks, offset carbon and reducing the effects of climate change.

 

BIODIVERSITY

A single tree can be home to hundreds of species of insect, fungi, moss, mammals, and plants. Depending on the kind of food and shelter they need, different forest animals require different types of habitat. Without trees, forest creatures would have nowhere to call home.

 

Trees help to regulate climate

Trees help cool the planet by sucking in and storing harmful greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide into their trunks, branches, and leaves — and releasing oxygen back into the atmosphere. In cities, trees can reduce ambient temperatures by up to 8° Celsius. With more than 50% of the world’s population living in cities — a number expected to increase to 66% by the year 2050 — pollution and overheating are becoming a real threat. Fortunately, a mature tree can absorb an average of 22lbs of carbon dioxide per year, making cities a healthier, safer place to live.

HEALTH

Did you know that hospital patients with rooms overlooking trees recover faster than those without the same view? It’s impossible to ignore that feeling of elation you get while walking through a calm, quiet forest. Trees help reduce stress and anxiety, and allow us to reconnect with nature. In addition, shade provided by tree coverage helps protect our skin from the ever-increasing harshness of the sun.

 

Trees help reduce stress and anxiety

Trees have a social impact

SOCIAL IMPACT

From arborists to loggers and researchers, the job opportunities provided by the forestry industry are endless. We don’t just rely on trees for work, though. Sustainable tree farming provides timber to build homes and shelters, and wood to burn for cooking and heating. Food-producing trees provide fruit, nuts, berries, and leaves for consumption by both humans and animals, and pack a powerful nutritional punch.

WATER

Trees play a key role in capturing rainwater and reducing the risk of natural disasters like floods and landslides. Their intricate root systems act like filters, removing pollutants and slowing down the water’s absorption into the soil. This process prevents harmful waterslide erosion and reduces the risk of over-saturation and flooding. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Association, a mature evergreen tree can intercept more than 15,000 litres of water every year. 

Br. Michael Mbogo

ref: onetreeplanted.org

SHIRIKISHO CRAFTS GRADUATION PHOTOS