The Health and Environmental Day at Heshima Camp in Kenya.
Heshima Kenya is an organization based in Lavington and it hosts almost 200 female refugees from different countries like Congo , Somalia , Sudan and Burundi. The refugees are hosted at the center and at times arrangements are done for them to travel to other countries where they can also be hosted. Some of the refugees at Heshima Kenya have young children who are well taken care of by the daycare staff. At the center, the ladies are offered learning opportunities like vocational training and the Kenyan formal education system.
On this health day, the Iran medical clinic organized a free medical camp at the center. Some of the services they provided included breast screening, deworming medicine, check-up on the pregnant women and general treatment on various illnesses.
The Green Africa Global Foundation played a great role in the success of the day. Through it, the Riruta HGM students presented a very educative song on the environment touching on the various aspects such as trees and water. Experts from the Red Crescent Society of Iran spoke about the importance of healthy eating, vaccination , family planning and pregnancy. They mentioned breast milk is best for the baby, and the benefits of breastfeeding extend well beyond basic nutrition. In addition to containing all the vitamins and nutrients baby needs in the first six months of life, that protect your baby from illness.
We carried early childhood environmental education on the young children that were present.
The main activities done included drawing of various things on the environment example animals and plants. The team also played with the children creating a wonderful bond with them.
We undertook a very special program on tree planting with the ladies present. They were involved in preparing the holes for planting and them-selves planted their own tree to which they promised to look after by watering them on a daily basis.
The team also took time to educate the girls on the importance of the environment and the need to conserve the re-sources available.
Young mothers were encouraged to ensure they take their children often to the clinics for immunization and checkups .
The medical team also did consultations with the patients and offered much needed medical advice to enhance their health.
After all refugees in three groups of girls, mothers and pregnant women met breast cancer testing methods, each of them received their cards and in case of illness they went to the doctor and received their medicine for free.
