Senlac Rotary, which is based in Bexhill, is working to support its own charity, The Yellowmen of Kadongdong.
They are looking to raise ÂŁ20,000 to build a new clinic in Mbara, a village in a remote, mountainous area of West Pokot, Kenya.
The crowd-funder is aligned to an application for a global grant to improve health, sanitation, education and employment in the area.
At present, villagers face at least a 12 mile round trek, along a difficult dust road to reach the nearest clinic. Few have cars or motorbikes.
Mbara School Children
The Yellowmen, a group of Rotarians and professionals, founded and organised by Senlac Rotarian Eddie McCall, have been visiting the area for about 20 years.
In that time, they have built and refurbished clinics and schools and related accommodation.
They have also provided health care and advice and educational development programmes.
Eddie McCall said: “The Yellowmen want to help the people of Mbara by offering them a life-changing medical centre, saving them the heartache of not being able to receive crucial medical attention when it is needed most.
Eddie said that many of the villagers had spoken of the heart-breaking consequences of the six-mile trip, including pregnant women who have lost babies, and another who had to carry his brother over his shoulder to reach the clinic.
The Yellowmen want to help the people of Mbara by offering them a life-changing medical centre, saving them the heartache of not being able to receive crucial medical attention when it is needed most.”
Because of the pandemic, the Yellowmen have been unable to travel to Kenya or continue fund-raising for the community in traditional ways.
“We believe that the sooner the clinic is built, the better it will be for all the villagers,” added Eddie. “So we have decided to take our story to Crowdfunder, to reach a much wider audience.
“We believe that this past year, more than ever, has shown the importance of access to medicine.
“Land laws in Kenya make obtaining land difficult for a non-native. Thanks to our existing relationship with the village, the villagers have been given the land to build a clinic but don’t have the money nor the expertise to build a medical centre.
Preparing for a new roof fr Sigor clinic.
“With the incredible gift of help from Gensler architects’ Dubai office, we have had plans drawn up for the clinic and the incredible people of Mbara are on hand to begin to clear the ground and lay the foundations for the building, once the funds are there.
“Once travel is possible, the Yellowmen will head out to help continue the project. We estimate the build will cost about £20,000 with just £10 buying 100 bricks.”
The Yellowmen of Kadongdong are Sussex Rotarians and professionals who have been working in Central Pokot for the past two decades.
The Yellowmen team includes doctors, nurses, engineers, builders, teachers, paramedics, a dentist, an optometrist, mechanics, linguists, students, a broadcaster and an accountant.
They normally travel to the area twice yearly where the support local medical services and schools.
Some of their projects to date include:
- The building of a clinic in Tikeet
- The refurbishment of a clinic in Marich and a hospital in Sigor
- The supply of medicines and diagnostic equipment to 5 local clinics
- Medical seminars for local doctors
- A series of health clinics including an optical screening programme and a dental survey
- Support for local HIV groups
- The Yellow Bike project to get a motorbike for the local nurse
- The building of new classrooms and the refurbishment of existing schools
- A professional development programme for local teachers
The link to the crowd-funder page is: is: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/mbaraclinicbuild
Details can be found on Senlac Rotary’s website: www.senlacrotary.org
