The Olorte region of Kenya is home to a substantial Maasai communitity. A changing world has seen them obliged to follow a less active lifestyle in recent years, although modern healthcare to match has not materialised.
A UK charity, Starfish Clinic Project International (SCPI) works with tribal leaders to make a difference, helping to eliminate preventable illness.
Improving oral health is a key part of this and Elgin Dental Care are at the forefront. Kamal Kamali and Fadi Barrak led a team to the area in late 2018, including 3 dentists, a dental nurse therapist and a pharmacist.
Support & Skills
The recent visit followed others over a number of years. Kamal and his team members provided welcome dental care in the small clinic, Fadi continued his research into local health issues and creating helpful strategies.
Plans are formed with the cooperation of local chiefs, to ensure engagement is built in. The project Fadi’s teenage sons undertook helps in the same way, the water tank they built is seen to add community value.
A greater return over the long term can still come from transferring skills. Florence, the local nurse, is being trained to provide core dental care, health issues and opportunities are becoming part of everyday perception.
Funding The Plan
Supporting the community is about more than money, although this is still needed. SCPI help to create micro businesses, such as the one producing wonderful jewellery, which we sell in our practice every Christmas.
Our staff try to help continually, Kamal Kamali has undertaken an original, brave approach. Training over a series of climbs saw him reach the summit of Mont Blanc:
Tanzania’s 6,500 metre Mount Kilimanjaro is next on the list, just 100 miles from Olorte. A lesser known section of the Himalayan mountains should follow, with Everest an ultimate, testing goal.
The effort is worthwhile and all our team continue to look for ways to support a fine, truly friendly people. A mobile ambulance clinic recently arrived to serve 15 villages, much more can still be done.
If you would like to support the work in any way, by all means talk to any of our staff, they are nearly as friendly as the Maasai.
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