Letter from Kitale
This page is regularly updated with news and comments directly from Kitale
Today's Weather in Kitale
1st January 2010.
What better way to start than to wish you all a happy 2010. Now the celebrations have come and gone it is back to normal life and the pressures of a new school year. Schools open on the 4th and there is the usual headache of children scrounging for school fees, uniforms, etc, etc. It is an endless flow of needy children but for whom we just do not have the resources. "No, Sorry" are the words I have to use most to usher in the New Year. Something of a drag.
Best wishes. OL
31st August 2009,
Dear All,
To celebrate today's International Day of the Disappeared NPYT is launching it's first web page dedicated to re-uniting lost children with their families. Initially all NPYT children for whom we have been unable to trace relatives will be listed. Later, we hope, to have all those children in the various homes and institutions within Trans Nzoia District listed. Who knows; one day all of Kenya!
If you have lost a child in Kenya then please click here
Also please, if you have young children teach them the minimum necessary information to trace you and help prevent a temporary lost child from becoming a disappeared child.
OL
13th June 2009
Dear All,
As the 16th of June approaches preparations are under way for the celebrations of The Day of the African Child. Originally started to remember the hundreds of children killed by the South African security forces during demonstrations in 1976. The day is now used to bring children's issues to the limelight and 'celebrate' youth and children. In past years the celebration was largely hijacked by politicians and the local authorities - endless speeches and few child friendly activities.
This year we hope things will be different as the various children's organisations and other stakeholders are taking the helm and want to CELEBRATE this important day with children being participants in all areas of organisation and presentation.
The recently formed Trans Nzoia Children's Services Network has brought together several organisations and other interested parties and is largely responsible for enabling this shift of focus from politics to children. This, after all is their day.
OL
27 December 2008
Yes, we have survived another Christmas. Appart from the obvious importance to Christians around the world the holiday has far outgrown it's religious significance. In much of the world Christmas has become a celebration of comercial excess. Merryment is compulsory as strangers ask you for gifts "wapi kristmasi" and the whole hysteria of mas lunacy takes it's toll on the less stable minded; father Chrismas kills 9 and self in Los Angeles shooting. 1st December, 2008.
Dear All
The first of December has been designated 'World Aids Day' by the UN. Perhaps typically the media is more focused on the remaining 18 shopping days left until Christmas.
AIDS and HIV infection has been gradually increasing where significant reductions had been made in the past. In both developing and developed countries youth are apparently becoming less concerned about prevention while some traditions can be directly blamed for transmitting the virus. There is no cure for AIDS.
As a charitable organisation working with vulnerable children we are all too aware of the devastating toll this disease is having on Kenyan society; homeless orphans, 2 generations of children being cared for by ageing grandparents or other relations, children driven from their homes because of discrimination, ignorance and virophobea. Over 10% of the population, mostly in their prime, are unproductive, dyeing or dead.
It is all our duty to promote awareness, combat discrimination and stigma, encourage people to know their status and the A B C of prevention. To this end please:
1. Ask yourself if you have access to correct and current information on HIV/AIDS? If so ensure your children and relations are similarly informed. If not get information from reliable sources - do not rely on rumor or hearsay.
2. Encourage, or demand, open discussion on sexually transmitted diseases in schools, churches and any place people meet regularly.
3. This is particularly directed to Mr Obama and Mr Benedict XVI: Please promote the use of condoms as an acceptable means of preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS. Abstinence alone is not working.
4. Know your status. In some parts of the world stigma, or perceived stigma, prevent people from attending Voluntary Councelling and Testing (VCT) centres. Another less obvious option is to donate blood. This blood is routinely screened for HIV, the donor informed if positive, and the blood used to save lives if negative.
5. Expectant mothers - know your status. Mother to child infection can be prevented.
6. Remember the A B C Prevention, A = abstain (or at least protect yourselves), B = be faithful (if not protect yourselves) and C = condomise (ie protect yourself).
HIV/AIDS is spread by humans who are either ignorant or happy-go-lucky. There is no cure for AIDS. People with AIDS can improve their quality, and length of life through correctly administered ARV drugs (a good diet is also vital). Male circumcision does, apparently reduce the risk of infection - it does not eliminate transmission. Anyone can be infected. Having sex with virgins does not cure Sexually Transmitted Diseases including AIDS.
Have a reproductively healthy day, Christmas and year.
OL
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