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Friends United
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History
Work
on the Kaimosi Hospital began in 1911, nine years after the arrival of
the first Friends missionaries in the summer of 1902. The hospital grew
apace with a dispensary and a maternity unit following quite soon after
its establishment.
Christina Jones writes in her book, American Friends in World Missions published in 1946, 'The hospital continues to serve although the burden is a heavy one. There is an ever-increasing demand for its services throughout the district. Statistics for the year 1942-1943 show how important the hospital work is: "A brief reference to our statistical record for the year shows that 24,805 (all races) were treated, 2,027 in-patients were cared for, 185 operations were performed, and 154 maternity cases were conducted.' When Edith Ratcliff served in Kenya as a nurse from July 1946 until her retirement in July 1984, Edith worked mostly out of Lugulu Health Centre and Dispensary which was an outstation of the Kaimosi Hospital at that time.
Following Kenyan Independence on 12th December, 1963, most of the work of the Friends Missions in Kenya including the hospitals registered under East Africa Yearly Meeting was gradually transferred to local management. In the 1980s this transfer process was complete. Local administrative systems were not strong, however, and rising local loyalties and clanism caused schism. East Africa Yearly Meeting disintegrated into many smaller Yearly Meetings and the capacity to administer a major hospital also diminished.
By 1987, the Kaimosi Hospital had been vandalized and inefficient and the Government of Kenya appointed a Commission to run the hospital. By 1994, the hospital had been further run down and the Commission was dissolved and partial control returned to EAYM. The hospital retained some Government seconded staff whilst EAYM appointed a Board of Governors. The Nursing School, founded in 1953, could not be saved and by 1996 it had to be closed.
In all this time, patient numbers had drastically reduced. Most staff had not been paid salaries and many had left. The institution was heavily indebted. The present structure of the hospital was erected between 1963 and 1965 when it was opened by H.E. the late President Jomo Kenyatta. The physical structures by 1996 had deteriorated so much that the site did not look like a hospital that could dispense health services.
A report requested by Friends United Meeting in 1997 following EAYM's invitation to FUM to assist, stated that the hospital is very much needed. 'It is the only hospital between Kapsabet and Mukhumu. The Tiriki population is between 30,000 and 40,000 people and the Kaimosi Hospital serves not only Tiriki but parts of three adjoining locations as well. The potential catchment area has a population of 100,000 people. Many people mentioned to the report team the hardship of traveling long distances to obtain medical care in Kakamega, Mukhumu or Kapsabet.' A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in January 2006 giving total management control of the hospital to Friends United Meeting.
Present Conditions
Friends United Meeting is deeply committed to mission relationships marked by partnership, mutual accountability, transparency, capacity building, and local ownership. Within this model, we see ourselves not as outsiders who are coming to "rescue" Kenyans, but as Christians who are called to walk alongside the Kenyans with support, encouragement, and provision of certain key resources, such that the hospital can again be the pride of African Quakers and a powerful symbol of global partnership for the sake of health and well-being in the region.
The current objectives of
the Board of Governors are:
During the next couple years Friends United Meeting will be working on grant acquisition and management to bring the hospital into a solid state of repair. The long range goal is to bring the hospital to a fully functioning, self-sufficient entity. Until that time, we need your help.
Will you commit to the support of one patient attendant (nurse's aid) for one year? Will your meeting or small group sponsor a nurse or physician's assistant for one year? As a yearly meeting, will you pledge support for one year to a doctor's salary?
The monthly salaries are miniscule in comparison to what we expect from our own jobs, yet these salaries will go a long way to feed and care for the extended families of our hospital staff. What can you do to help?
Monthly and Annual Salary Amounts
Registered Nurse: $150/ month,
$1,800/year
Enrolled Nurse: $120/month,
$1,440/year
Patient Attendants: $70/month, $840/year
Clinical Officer: $170/month, $2,040/year
Clinical Officer (anesthesiologist): $255/month, $3,060/year
Medical Doctor: $1,110/month, $13,320/year
Friends of the Hospital are encouraged to send donations to Friends United Meeting. Contributions may be made directly to FUM by post at 101 Quaker Hill Drive, Richmond IN 47374 or directly by credit card over the internet on this site.
If Friends are resident in the United Kingdom, Friend World Committee for Consultation will be pleased to receive tax refundable donations for the hospital, and they will forward donations to FUM. FWCC's address is 173 Euston Road, London, NW1 2AX. Tel: 020 7663 1199.