Our latest news from Kenya.
2024 AIDEX MISSION REPORT
MEDICAL CAMP
The number of medical and chiropractic consultation totaled approximately 500 and other general medical cases about 3260.
We dealt largely with lumps and bumps, offering surgeries for lipomas, cysts, keloids, and a few hydrocelectomies among others. Patients with goitres, haemorrhoids, suspected musculoskeletal and breast malignancies, inguinoscrotal and well as epigastric hernias were referred to the Busia County Referral Hospital (BCRH).
This year, AIDex celebrated 30 years anniversary of operating in Kenya supporting widows, orphans, indigent students and to the glory of God we have been able to make contributions to the education of many students from primary to the university level and some of the graduates from our programs are now well placed to support their communities and are always willing to come back to assist with our outreach every year.
WIDOWS GROUP.
Currently we have a smaller group than in the past. Some 22 turned up to our mentoring widow’s day. We had breakfast, shared with them and handed gifts from Australia to them and then went and looked at their crops. They were suffering with a lack of rainfall. They expressed gratitude for the support they received from Australian team through AIDEX CBO in their farm project and the medical help. Gifts of used clothes and other items from Australia were given to them.
STUDENTS’ WELFARE
This year we had several young people from Australia work together with some of our current uni students to visit some 70 schools. We split into two vans. The young team did puppets, music and such in the afternoons sharing Gods love to the young students. We currently are supporting 756 students in primary, 245 in Junior and 252 in secondary and 44 in tertiary, technical or trade schools. 1297 in total.
We were well received by school principals and teachers with a lot of gratefulness for what we have been and are doing. Uniforms, fees, bibles, sanitary kits etc. were given out.
MENTORSHIP and 30-year celebration PROGRAM
This is one major activity that I would say that it has enabled our students to get an opportunity to interact with each other despite coming from different family background and schools even though they could be having common problems which makes them vulnerable. It has boosted their level of morale and self-esteem, which I believe has had a tremendous impact in their lives and academic life.
LIBRARY
We took some more books to add to the stock that we have in our library. Hopefully more in the community can take advantage of borrowing the books, both educational and theological.
PHARMACY
We are grateful to have a great relationship with the local pharmacy in Sioport who now knows those we sponsor and can help them each month with free medical drugs up to a limit of 500 KES each per month.
IN CONCLUSION
From a student: I want to express my sincere gratitude for the support that AIDEX Australia is giving to us in Kenya through AIDEX CBO to help the needy students and people in our community in the areas that I have mentioned so that lives can be changed for better and to the glory of God. May our living God bless you all who participated and made the 2024 mission successful to that degree of greatness and glory. All of you are a major blessing to us all.
I believe that together with Gods help, we can achieve more in the years ahead in the key areas of health, education and sharing His love with many. Yours sincerely, Russell Marke
Request for financial help for Polycap and his upcoming surgeries
I’d like to ask those reading this, to consider please, (along with helping our charity fulfill our commitments to the vulnerable in respect education, self help agriculture and medical help), helping cover financially, his upcoming surgeries that are required. he is one of our sponsored students by the name Polycap. See his pictures attached with our Doctor and his siblings. He requires extensive medical help as outlined in the doctors report below:
Polycap was advised that there is no need for the embolization, because it’s not an arteriovenous malformation. His advice was we send him to Kenyatta National Hospital because of the complexity of the case. For the surgery he’ll require a multidisciplinary team of opthalmologist, plastics, but being led by maxillofacial surgeons.
Medical camp Pictures
Below are some before and after op and new Sioport hospital surgery pictures and some disabled students what were helped with new Prosthetic leg and wheel chair.
Medical camp testimonial & Video
Mark Oundo was one of the beneficiaries of this year’s minor surgeries organised by AIDEX. He’s so much appreciative and says he’s doing well. According to him, he was initially told to go to Eldoret or Kakamega (between 100 & 200 kms away) for the operation which needed 35,000 KES (about A$420). He didn’t believe that he could be relieved of that problem without paying a cent. His picture after surgery below.
Dominic Omondi was another as his testimony video is below.
They were two of the 48 patients who was successfully operated on by our Doctor Kenny from Australia during the camp. Others of our medical camp team were nurse Kristen from Australia & Nurse Joseph & Paciphilia, Clinical officer Jedidah, Community health workers Erina & Samuel and lab doctor Frank all from Kenya. Together they saw and helped 473 patients.
More pictures of the medical camp and missions trip can be found by clicking the tumblr icon top & below right (T)
Letters from those we have been or are currently sponsoring
Dear AIDex FAMILY, I am writing this letter to convey my honest, genuine gratitude and appreciation for the support that you have provided for me through the AIDex SPONSORSHIP that has enable me to transit and endeavour in my academic journey. Becoming an Accountant has always been my dream in life. Thank you for helping me attain one of my greatest dreams. You have inspired me in many ways, one of which is to give something back to the community through scholarship when I am able to in the future. Sincerely, Namudiru Elivas.
From Philip Opwoko: He has graduated from the Kenya Medical training college having successfully completed Orthopaedic Clinical medicine.
From Benjamin Aurah: My sincere gratitude to you Russell and AIDex in particular for the financial and moral support you gave me through my years of study. I also celebrate what God has done to me through AIDex, and more so, having allowed me to be part of the AIDex family today. May AIDex outlive us to continue impacting generations by LOVING GOD AND HELPING OTHERS. REGARDS SHALOM Benjamin
From Sefia Zahara: Who has been helped through her schooling since 2004. S she writes to thank us after her bachelor of arts graduation majoring in Kiswahili & CRE: I would like to thank the AIDex foundation for everything they’ve offered me, the support they gave me and all the prayers offered on my behalf, thank you AIDex family for everything. Thank You so much sir Russell, your family and friends, may your doors always remain open so that you continue helping as many people out here, Thank You and may you be healthy always.
From Ben & Benjamin: The widows had good crops and were starting to harvest them. We praise God for the good harvest and His provision. The widows wrote: Brother Russell honestly you have changed many lives in our community and changed the faces of many homes and we really thank God for the vision and the heart to help vulnerable members of our community. We thank you heartily for identifying us, mapping us and circumstantially aiding us, our orphaned children, other vulnerable children, and but most recently supporting us in food security through agricultural activities. We had good and satisfying harvest, shared among ourselves and even donated the surplus to few aged and ailing within our community. May God’s grace be upon the entire AIDex fraternity. Be blessed.
From Salim: Dear Russell and the Entire AIDEX Team, I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your incredible support and generosity throughout my academic journey. Your belief in me has been instrumental in helping me achieve my goals. I recently graduated with Bachelor of information science – Archives and Records Management from Technical University of Mombasa on December 5th, 2024. Thank you for making a difference in my life. Wishing you all continued success and fulfillment in the amazing work you do. Warm regards, Salim Sally Ong’enge. (A picture from his form 2 days below).
From Ronald: Hello Russell, Am Ronald Wafula, a beneficiary of AIDex. I’ve graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Education science, biology and chemistry option. Am very grateful for the care, support and love you’ve shown dating back from the year 2009 throughout my academic journey. From my family and I, we are immensely indebted to you and AIDex fraternity, a debt of gratitude . You’ve painted a lasting smile on my face. Thanks so much, may you never lack. (pictures of his recent grad and one from his primary school days below).
From Mildred: Hello, I Mildred Ofugu, take this opportunity to thank the Marke family and the entire AIDex fraternity for the opportunity that they gave to me through sponsorship since 2012 up to 2024. I have graduated in my course of Diploma in Tourism and hospitality management at Chuka university. Thank you very much for the support throughout all those years. I am grateful for everything they have done for me. I thank God for the opportunity and life that he gave to you to impact our lives as the AIDex sponsored children’s and I continue to pray that he protects you and your family throughout. I hope as the AIDex family we shall work together to impact more lives. Thank you very much and God bless.