Direct Relief's Activities in OGRA Foundation
Location: Nyanza Province
Web site: www.ografoundation.org
The OGRA Foundation is a community-based, nongovernmental organization founded in 2000 by Dr. Hezron Mc’Obewa. The foundation’s goal is to promote and improve health by combating HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria and other preventable diseases among residents living in eight districts of Nyanza Province. These districts include Kisumu, Nyando, Rachuonyo, Kuria, Rongo, Homa-bay, Gucha and Nyamira.
In partnership with Direct Relief; the Kenyan Ministry of Health; and AIDS, Population and Health Integrated Assistance ii (APHIA ii), OGRA Foundation provides the following interventions:
• Operation and support of rural clinics and hospitals
• Training and support for home-based care workers
• Operation of the International School of Medicine and Applied Technology
• Provision of educational, vocational, and food support for orphans
• Assistance with construction and infrastructure development for primary schools
Direct Relief has been working with OGRA Foundation since 2006. During this period, Direct Relief has sent more than $6.5 million (wholesale) value of pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and medical equipment items. We have also provided cash grants equaling $130,000 for assistance during the post election violence and support for HIV/AIDS programs. For the last two years, Direct Relief has been supplying antiretroviral treatment for more than 4,200 people. This critically needed medication is dispersed through seven OGRA-supported facilities. Direct Relief also supports OGRA’s HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment programs through the supply of Abbott Determine test kits for testing pregnant women, their children, and their partners for HIV. Currently 60 percent of those tested have been found to be positive.
In late December 2007, Kenya, once viewed as one of the most stable countries in East Africa, experienced an outbreak of violence following a disputed election. Exact numbers were hard to calculate, but the Kenyan Red Cross estimated that more than 1,000 people were killed, and United Nations officials estimated that 500,000 people were displaced throughout the country.
Dr. Mc’Obewa is the director of the Kenya-based OGRA Foundation which administers medical clinics in the Districts of Kisumu and Nyandoc. Despite being engulfed in the eye of the violence and having his personal office burned to the ground, Dr. Mc’Obewa pressed on to aid people from all tribal groups who were caught in the crossfire. Educated in England, Dr. Mc’Obewa helped start OGRA Foundation as a community-based organization to provide health care and promote socio-economic and cultural development. As a result of OGRA’s strong community reputation, Dr. Mc’Obewa was appointed as the head of medical outreach for the Kisumu area’s ad-hoc humanitarian aid committee, coordinating between aid agencies, governments, and international bodies.
The widespread civil strife that broke out in the aftermath of Kenya’s December 27, 2007 presidential election was unexpected. Protests sparked by disputed election results and allegations of vote-counting impropriety gave way to outbreaks of violence along political and then tribal lines. Direct Relief immediately contributed 100,000 in emergency funds to help transport fleeing families; to provide essential medicines and medical supplies; for monetary support of surgeons, doctors and nurses; and for fuel costs and other contingencies.
Multiple shipments of medical goods were provided to the OGRA Foundation which was caring for victims of the violence. In addition, a shipment of antiretroviral drugs for displaced persons who needed to maintain their HIV/AIDS treatment regimens was provided with distribution handled by OGRA.
Since 2006, Direct Relief has partnered with OGRA Foundation and has sent more than $6.2 million (wholesale) worth of pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and equipment. It has also supplied cash grants equaling $130,000 for assistance during the December 2007 election violence and support for HIV/AIDS programs. Dr. Mc'Obewa serves as a regional medical adviser for Direct Relief. Through OGRA Foundation, Direct Relief has provided antiretroviral medicines to almost 3,000 HIV-positive people in Kenya, allowing them to live longer, more productive lives.