Amma in Kenya

17-18 April 2016, Nairobi, Kenya

After a five-year gap, Amma was received a warm welcome back to Kenya by Mr. Musalia Mudavadi, the former Deputy Vice President and the Deputy Prime Minister of Kenya; Mrs. Suchitra Durai, the Indian High Commissioner to Kenya; and Hon. Dan Mwazo, Senator of Taita Taveta county. Ms. Tessa Mudavadi, 2010 Global Winner Of Breast Cancer Awareness award, Dr. Manoj Shah, Past International Director of Lions Club, and Dr. Abbas Gullet, Secretary General of Kenya Red Cross were also there on hand to welcome Amma.

Amma’s arrival signaled the launch of several new humanitarian initiatives, which were formally inaugurated by the above dignitaries during the first day of Amma’s official program.

A new Telemedicine and Continuing Medical Education Program, a tie up between Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences in Kochi and M.P Shah Hospital of Nairobi will help in high quality medical care for the patients in Kenya and enhance transfer of medical expertise in Kenya.

Amma also launched the Amrita Solar Village, which will help in lighting, heating, water supply for sanitation, nutrition and irrigation and will improve the quality of residents of 5 villages in Athi River.

A new Amrita After School Study Program to support children living near the Athi River who have no access to electricity at home. The dedicated classrooms and the facilities provided will allow the children to study and do their homework in a supportive environment, helping them to overcome some of the challenges of living in poverty and to achieve their dreams. Amma visited this school after the days program {news}.

Another new program called Saving Lives – Creating, was launched, in association with CAP YEI and the Kenya Red Cross. The program is designed to train unemployed youth as mid-wives, paramedics and first aid workers in the areas of reproductive health. The goal of the program is to empower these young people to save lives, while providing jobs for them as well.

Also during her program, Amma was presented with the Lions Club International President’s Award in appreciation of her humanitarian work globally.

Green initiatives have been a very important part of Embracing the World activities in Kenya, and the Amrita Center has been very active in promoting awareness amongst people to preserve and nurture Mother earth by actively pursuing tree planting drives, permaculture and organic farming. Volunteers from the Center brought organic products to Amma on stage, seeking her blessings for their efforts in sustainability.

The official program was followed by Amma’s satsang, bhajan, and two days of darshan programs, wherein each and every person who came to the program received Amma’s loving embrace.

– Tulasi

 

 

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The ongoing work of Amma’s volunteers in Kenya was also highlighted, including the following:

  • Amrita Center Kenya has been active since 2010, running various projects in education, youth empowerment, healthcare, nutrition, sanitation and sustainability through permaculture, tree planting and green energy.
  • The children’s home Watato Boma takes care of the needs of 160 children.
  • Amrita Center Kenya, in association with CAP trains unemployed youth in the age groups of 18-30 years. Three-month courses are offered in Carpentry, Tailoring, Electrical, Plumbing, Computers and Hospitality. It has trained more than 1000 students since its inception.
  • Amma’s meals program started in 2012 now provides over 80,000 free meals annually.
  • Free Medical Camps have been regularly held over the last 4 years providing free consultations and medicine to over 3200 patients.
  • Free Cataract Surgeries have been conducted in the counties of Thika, Machakos, Voi, Vihiga, Kakamega, Busia and Kisii, which has screened over 8000 patients and completed more than 1000 cataract surgeries restoring not only eyesight but also improvement in quality of life.
  • As a part of the sustainable development initiatives, the Amrita Center has one of the best Permaculture farms in Nairobi. Amma’s volunteers there, hardworking and motivated to carry Amma’s message of service and compassion forward, see this is as only the beginning.