Catherine Kabaire’s Community Project

Catherine, a medical school student at the University of Nairobi and second year scholar, is assiduouCK watersly working to improve her community through her PATHWAYS project. The shortage of water in her home area has been a major problem in terms of food and water security and the ability to engage in income generating activities since so much time is dedicated to acquiring the necessary water for daily living.  Catherine’s first goal was to secure a large water tank for her community group (see photo of water tank and community member).  Now that water is more secure, other community projects can proceed.  These include farming, poultry rearing, and making beaded purses.  Catherine is a leader and making a difference in her community.

MPH Practicum Opportunity for Summer 2015

PATHWAYS Leadership for Progress (www.pathwayslp.org) in conjunction with the Center for Environmental Stewardship (http://www.ces-stewardship.org) is offering a 4-6-week practicum in Ngong town (southwest of Nairobi), Kenya for Emory MPH candidates. The selected candidate will be responsible for training community health volunteers on public health topics such as nutrition, HIV/AIDS, and water/sanitation using approved manuals through a program sponsored by the local Ministry of Health. The selected candidate will also be responsible for evaluating the impact of this program. Travel in the area will be minimal as the worksite is close to the residence. Room and board will be covered for the 4-6 week duration by the sponsoring organizations. Dr. Mbaabu Mathiu of the University of Nairobi will be the onsite supervisor. Please contact Tom Gordon if interested- tgordon@emory.edu.

Senior scholar Jemimah Peters

Jemimah tankKitui County in Eastern Province is known for its dry weather and unreliable rainfall.  When Jemimah joined PATHWAYS four years ago she knew that the one thing she could do to help her community improve their income was to help provide a reliable source of water. Last month, Jemimah’s project came to fruition with the completion of their underground water tank (10,000 liters).  This will help not only with the growing of crops, but with education because children will not have to spend study time fetching water.  Well done Jemimah and her community group!

Alumnus Monicah Wairimu visits scholar’s project


Shadrack's projectMonicah reported, “It was indeed great to visit Shadrack’s mentoring project at Mtoni Primary School in Matunda.”

The project has 30 mentors helping 19 students realize their potential. The school administration and teachers are very involved in and supportive of this PATHWAYS project led by first year scholar Shadrack Shitseswa. Mentors have provided lunch money, uniforms, books, and shoes for the students. Unfortunately, the money allocated to pupils by the government towards free education is minimal, so it falls to the parents to make up the difference.  Thus, everyone is grateful for the support to the students from the mentors.  Monicah said, ” The mentors have made a difference in the lives of those pupils.”