Clothing Every Newborn Baby + Providing Access to a Safe Delivery

KARIBU or WELCOME

Welcome to the October 2015 edition of Operation Karibu's newsletter! The Matumaini Newsletter brings you updates about Operation Karibu from the field, upcoming events in your area, photographs, opportunities to get involved, and more.

In this special edition, we would like to recognize some of our most dedicated donors and volunteers. Thank you for being a part of our community and making a difference in the lives of mothers and their newborns in rural Kenya.

Climbing for Operation Karibu

At this time one year ago, Dr. Priti Lakhani had returned from the most physically demanding experience of her life: climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Dr. Lakhani chose to climb the 19,341 ft mountain as a fundraising effort for Operation Karibu. She was the only woman in a group of 13 climbers, and after one week, she was one of only two climbers from the group to make it to the summit. When thinking back on her intensely difficult experience climbing the highest mountain in Africa, Dr. Lakhani is reminded of why she chose to make the climb in the first place:

"When I was at one of the clinics in Kenya, the healthcare workers explained that women walk miles while in labor, so they can deliver their babies in a safe place. Climbing Kilimanjaro was physically one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Could I do something like that in labor? As mothers, we know that we would do it because we would do anything for our children. Climbing that mountain was a reminder of the reality so many women face during pregnancy and child labor. As a mother, supporting Operation Karibu feels visceral."

Learn more about Dr. Lakhani's climb in this article from Lawrence Magazine's 2015 Fall Edition, page 32.

A Special Thank You to a Loyal Donor

Thank you Rick Siegrist for your generous and continued support. It truly makes a difference in the lives of mothers and babies in Kenya, and it encourages us to keep working hard in the fight for maternal and infant health. 

"What could be more important to a community’s health and well being than healthy deliveries?  Operation Karibu provides an innovative solution – onesies - that helps ensure healthy deliveries at minimal cost.  Having worked on a quality and cost project in Kenya years ago, I can appreciate how important it is to come up with a simple, yet effective, solution.  You have done just that, and I commend you for the difference you are making in the lives of mothers, newborns and their families.  I am proud to be able to contribute to such a meaningful initiative."

- Rick on Operation Karibu

How One of our Volunteers is Making an Impact

Lani is making a huge impact by improving the way local Kenyans sew baby clothes at our production center in Ng'enda. An expert seamstress, Lani studied the patterns used in our production center and designed a more efficient way to sew baby clothes out of t-shirts. Her efforts have already improved production quality and efficiency. Thank you for donating your time and valuable skills to our cause, Lani!

"After Moka took the new patterns to Africa, he told me the ladies at the Ng'enda production center found the patterns easier and the quality of their work was better. I was so delighted to hear the changes were helping, as I feel such a kinship with the ladies who sew in Africa. I wanted it to be an easier task for them, as they are using treadle sewing machines and trying to make as many onesies as possible. It has been such a pleasure to help out in this way, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be involved with Operation Karibu."

- Lani on her work with Operation Karibu

Our Most Recent Medical Residents in Kenya

We would like to thank the two most recent medical residents on rotation in Kenya, Chioma Duru and Chalese Richardson. Healthcare workers at the Ng'enda Health Care Centre and the Thika District Hospital have expressed enormous gratitude for these rotations. The clinical and cultural gains from these experiences are invaluable to the medical professionals as well as to the patients who benefit from the exchange of knowledge in programs like Helping Babies Survive.

Find the residents' blog about their trip to Kenya here.

The Fellowship of the King Baby Shower and Fundraiser

Thank you to the Fellowship of the King for your incredible fundraising efforts. We are moved by your enthusiasm and grateful for your dedicated support.

To donate or learn more about the Fellowship's fundraiser for Operation Karibu, please visit their page.

Operation Karibu is featured in The Three Tomatoes Magazine

The Three Tomatoes, a national digital magazine for women, featured a piece on Operation Karibu this week. Thank you, LA Tomatoes and Debbie Zipp, for your support!

Find the article here.

#GivingTuesday is December 1, 2015 

Giving Tuesday is an international day of giving. Charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate and encourage giving. This Giving Tuesday, join us by donating, volunteering, and fundraising with us. Be on the look out for a special campaign we will be launching in honor of Giving Tuesday and to encourage global giving.