The U of T chapter of Free the Children is a small but rapidly expanding group of students whose goals are to raise awareness and funds for a healthcare initiative in Kenya. Health is one Free the Children’s founding “pillars”, a developmental goal we are striving towards.
The reason why our initiative is so important is because it tackles one of the basic necessities we, in a developed country, take for granted: healthcare. In areas of Kenya where this service is scarce, one person with an illness elevates the vicious cycle of poverty for their family. Annually, more than 6 million children under the age of 5 die, with almost half of these linked to malnutrition. And more than 350,000 women die during pregnancy or childbirth, almost all of them in developing countries. The effects of lack of nutrition and resources are alarming - and the reason we chose to help combat them.
Through raising money for healthcare, Free the Children is directly providing primary care in the form of check-ups, pre- and post-natal care, vaccinations, and nutritional support to partnering communities. This the direct impact of the Baraka and Kishon clinics, built through Free the Children’s healthcare initiative. The maternity wing in the Baraka Clinic has helped over 3000 mothers throughout their pregnancy and helped deliver over 300 newborns safely into the world. They also provide education for the mothers to raise a healthy child. This wing was built through the various fundraising efforts of the Free the Children community, all with a common goal to combat infant and maternal mortality and provide a safe, clean sanctuary in the community.
The impact from the healthcare initiative has expanded beyond the creation of these clinics in rural areas. The money fundraised as also helped to provide education in schools to children about how to prevent sickness. Education is a crucial outlet that empowers kids to take control of their own health.
Our team of passionate executives and volunteers are incredibly excited to be working towards the Health pillar of Free the Children because many of us have seen first-hand the impact that medical facilities and education has provided to developing areas.
Although there is still a long way to go before the cycle of poverty is ended, our group hopes to make a small difference in the lives of our friends overseas.
Cheers,
Nancy Yang
Educational Director
The reason why our initiative is so important is because it tackles one of the basic necessities we, in a developed country, take for granted: healthcare. In areas of Kenya where this service is scarce, one person with an illness elevates the vicious cycle of poverty for their family. Annually, more than 6 million children under the age of 5 die, with almost half of these linked to malnutrition. And more than 350,000 women die during pregnancy or childbirth, almost all of them in developing countries. The effects of lack of nutrition and resources are alarming - and the reason we chose to help combat them.
Through raising money for healthcare, Free the Children is directly providing primary care in the form of check-ups, pre- and post-natal care, vaccinations, and nutritional support to partnering communities. This the direct impact of the Baraka and Kishon clinics, built through Free the Children’s healthcare initiative. The maternity wing in the Baraka Clinic has helped over 3000 mothers throughout their pregnancy and helped deliver over 300 newborns safely into the world. They also provide education for the mothers to raise a healthy child. This wing was built through the various fundraising efforts of the Free the Children community, all with a common goal to combat infant and maternal mortality and provide a safe, clean sanctuary in the community.
The impact from the healthcare initiative has expanded beyond the creation of these clinics in rural areas. The money fundraised as also helped to provide education in schools to children about how to prevent sickness. Education is a crucial outlet that empowers kids to take control of their own health.
Our team of passionate executives and volunteers are incredibly excited to be working towards the Health pillar of Free the Children because many of us have seen first-hand the impact that medical facilities and education has provided to developing areas.
Although there is still a long way to go before the cycle of poverty is ended, our group hopes to make a small difference in the lives of our friends overseas.
Cheers,
Nancy Yang
Educational Director