TeamSOP on a humanitarian mission to Kenya

Remembering Kenya 2017

This year I am so excited to be taking TeamSOP out to Kenya with me.

Emma, Tracey and Joe will be travelling out to Kenya in November to work for the Divinity Foundation, providing humanitarian aid to women and children living in some of the most poor and remote regions of the country.

Through the charity’s expeditions, we are able to provide free healthcare, education, food and clothing for impoverished women and children.

We will work in many different areas, but in particular we focus on the Maasai girls as they are still subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM). We provide education within the Maasai communities, a rescue home for those fleeing FGM, and free healthcare for those suffering the aftermath.

The girls suffer terrible damage at the hands of this illegal practice. We see cases of pelvic inflammatory disease, disrupted and painful periods, internal and external scarring and adhesions, infection, painful sex, pelvic floor dysfunction, severe complications in childbirth including fistula (a hole between the rectum and vagina), prolapse, faecal and urinary incontinence, and not to mention the extreme emotional shock and trauma.

Osteopathy, together with counselling, education, gentle exercise, medication and occasionally hospitalisation can make a huge difference to these girls lives. Just putting gentle, healing and respectful hands on these girls can bring a smile to their pained faces.

It is tough and often heart-breaking work, but through the charity's amazing work we have managed to educate the cutters about the dangers of their work, provide a rescue home for girls at risk, provide alternative rites of passage and empower the tribal chiefs to make changes in their community.

We hope to raise £1000 each to help fund the trip. It will enable us to travel to some of the most remote locations in the country and reach communities that rarely receive any healthcare or education.

We are so grateful for any support you feel able to give, be that a fiver, toiletries (especially sanitary pads), stationary, clothes, sports kit, shoes, small toys, and books that we can take out with us. Your help goes directly into the hands that need it the most.

If you would like to make a financial contribution, you can donate at:

www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/humanitarianosteopath

If you are interested in our work, please follow us on Facebook or Instagram to see regular updates on the work we are doing and the cases we are treating.  

Thank you so much.

PS. The practice will still be well manned with Osteopaths, covering every day, including Saturdays and evenings! You will be well looked after in our absence.

Emma Wightman

www.divinityfoundation.com