Why am I going to Kenya?

I'm going to Kenya through the Kenya Working Group (KWG) to complete my final placement in my physiotherapy program at McMaster University. KWG began in 2004 with the goal to provide health care to the disabled individuals throughout Kenya. More specifically I will be assisting with the "Disability Services Programme" that is in an outreach clinic in Rongo (on map) and Homo Bay. The purpose of these clinics is to not only assist those with disablities but link those with disabilities with vocational and educational opportunities. In the past, this program has also offered equipment and facilitated surgcial interventions.

Other objectives of the Disability Services Programme include:

• Develop a community structure for delivering efficient and effective services to disabled persons
• Educate and sensitize the community on the abilities as well as the needs of disabled persons
• Equip people living with disabilities with the skills that are relevant to their unique challenges
• Provide “training of trainers” to enable the community to effectively serve the needs of people living with disabilities in their community
• To educate and reduce stigma associated with HIV/AIDS
• Give support to HIV/AIDS orphans
• Promote and advocate for positive behavioural change among the youth
• Improve accessibility to the basic health care amenities, education, and community resources for people living with disabilities
• Strengthen collaboration among other local and international service organizations/agencies focusing on children and disabilities including HIV

To learn more about the Kenya Working Group, please visit their website at: http://www.kenyaworkinggroup.org