Medical expedition to treat sufferers of FGM

Hello friends, colleagues and clients,

I am Jackie Younker, a nurse currently working as a personal trainer and cardiac rehab specialist. Through my osteopathic colleague, Juliana Hounsfield, I have learned about the Divinity Foundation and their amazing expeditions in Kenya.

I will be joining the humanitarian medical expedition October 2024. The team consists of Osteopaths, nurses, midwife, doctor and helpers. There are 30 of us in total. We will travel daily to new locations within Kenya. This expedition will set up camp and clinics in areas such as Nairobi, Naivasha, Amboseli and Pokot.

The aim of the Divinity Foundation is:

-to provide healthcare and support to impoverished children and their mothers.

-to give children protection and a nurturing home and safe environment in case they are threatened.

-to provide basic literacy education and vocal training to children and adults.

-to provide holistic sports and music therapies to children who have suffered trauma

-to take a stand in spreading awareness of forms of child abuse and offering support to victims

Every day approximately 300 -700 patients will be treated free of charge. Treatment includes consultation and assessments, diagnostic tests, treatment which may be medical or osteopathic involving hands on manual therapy, medication or minor surgical procedures. The mobile laboratory and pharmacy can assess and treat many commonly observed conditions. Part of the mission is to educate about health, disease prevention, nutrition, and caring for young and ailing children.

The Divinity Foundation is passionate about women’s health rights and has taken upon itself to eradicate female genitalia mutilation( FGM). FGM comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of external female genitalia or other injury to healthy and normal organs for non-medical reasons. It is typically carried out by “circumcisers” who often play other central roles on supporting roles in communities. FGM is recognized internationally as a human rights violation of girls and women. It reflects deep rooted inequality between the sexes and constitutes extreme discrimination against women. It is nearly always carried out on minors and violates a persons right to health, security and physical integrity, the right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and the right to life when the procedure results in death ( Divinity Foundation 2021) (https://www.divinityfoundation.com/)

I am traveling on the 12th October and will be taking children’s clothes as well as funds to pay for all that is needed for the expedition to happen. In addition the money will go towards the maternity hospital that is currently being built near the children’s rescue centre.

I am asking for your financial support to cover travel and lodging and food whilst on the mission and medical supplies which we will need to be able to treat our patients, the women and children.

Any extra money raised will be donated to the Divinity Foundation to assist with purchasing supplies, medication and the safe houses for girls and women at risk of FGM.

I am truly grateful for your support.

Many thanks

Jackie