Fancy That - Rotary Fashion Show 2008

See the pictures!

This is the 3rd annual fashion show. Proceeds from the evening will go to the Spina Bifida and Tenderfoot School projects. You can make a difference!

Treatment of Children with Spina Bifida

Spina Bifida is the most frequently occurring, permanently disabling birth defect. It affects approximately one out of every 1000 newborns. More children have spina bifida than have muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis and cystic fibrosis combined. Funds last year went towards financing operations for 150 children. Our goal was to finance 200 operations and we are determined to meet that goal this year.

Tenderfoot Self-Help School

Tenderfoot Self-Help School is a community-based project in Kangemi, a Nairobi slum. It was founded in 1966 to meet the needs of a growing number of very young children found idle and roaming in the slums. The school started with 15 children and now accomodates 320 children, 80 of whom are orphans and 114 are needy. It has grown from a single dilapidated rented room to the current school with its own premises and from one teacher to some 24 staff working in the school. Lesson are held in suitable permanent classrooms with adequate sanitation. Needs have become more urgent after the events following the Kenyan Presidential election on December 27, 2007.

Endoscopy Project

Experts estimate that less than 50% of surgeries that are necessary in Africa actually get done - and this contributes to the persistently bleak state of health care provision on the contintent. Surgeries don't get done because the skills may not be available or access to care is too difficult - but most often because the resources are simply not there. Surgical endoscopy - or treatment through tiny holes with telescope-like instruments - requires specific equipment, most of which is currently lacking at Kijabe.

In the area of urology, such equipment can help children born with a blockage of their urine passages and without surgery they suffer needlessly. A simple endoscopic procedure can cure them fully. In the area of neurosurgery, children with hydrocephalus (water in the brain) are treated with the placement of a shunt, which exposes them to lifelong infections and other complications. Many of these children can be treated effectively with an endoscope. Our goal is to purchase an endoscopy set for Kijabe to be used for both procedures.