JIGGER FIGHTERS MEET THE MPS

Seated L-R: Chairman Dr Hon Robert Monda,Dr Nur Nassir Ahmed,Dr Esseli Simiyu and Hon Fred Outa
Standng: Joseph Mathai,Cecilia Mwangi and Dr Stanley Kamau

Former Miss Kenya Cecilia Mwangi and Dr Stanley Kamau meet with the Parliamentary Health Committee on Tuesday, July 6.
The Goodwill Ambassador of Ahadi Kenya Trust and the CEO presented the committee with some of the serious effects of jiggers in Kenya including it’s effects like children dropping out of school, spread of HIV Aids and the inability of people in exercising their democratic rights.
In return the committee promised to join them in the field on one of their public eradication camps as well as work at a partnership between the trust and the Public Health and Medical Services.
Anyho, if you are wondering why i just added Dr. in front of Stanley Kamau's name? It's because on Saturday he was honored with a Doctorate Degree from American University, Gretsa, for the fight against jiggers in East Africa.

ANTI-JIGGER CAMPAIGNER TO TAKE OVER YOUTH FUND OFFICE?

The street is riff with reports that the Anti Jigger Campaigner Stanley Kamau is in ‘deep talks’ with the relevant officials on taking up office as the chairman of the controversy laden Youth Enterprise Development Fund.
Stanley who also works with former miss World Kenya Cecilia Mwangi and Kiss 100’s Jalango was cagey about the details.
“I wouldn’t mind heading the Youth Fund as long as it doesn’t affect my anti Jigger campaign,” The Ahadi Trust CEO said.
Asked if the jigger ambassadors will also get offices in the Youth Fund, Stanley said, “No, this is a very separate entity all together.”
This reports come at a time when the Youth Fund Board resigned en mass after an eight-month battle against Youth and Sports minister Hellen Sambili.

ANTI-JIGGER CAMPAIGNERS FETED BY THE PRESIDENT

The President awarded the founder of the anti-jigger campaign, Stanley Kamau Maina and the campaign ambassador Miss World Kenya 2005 Cecilia Mwangi, with Head of State Commendation (HSC) during Jamhuri day. This is in recognition of their fight to eradicate jigger infestation in Kenya.
The campaign has been ongoing for the last three years and has made tremendous achievements including rehabilitating recovered jigger victims back to normal lives and also creating partnerships with both private bodies and the Government.
Acknowledging the awards, Stanley challenged those who have been criticizing the campaign to follow what the president has done and accept that there is a problem. He thanked the head of state for recognizing their work. He said that contrary to what some MPs especially from Central Kenya are saying that they are embarrassing the president, the government fully supports the cause.

The former beauty Quuen, said that the award will motivate the organization to do more without fearing. “This shows that the president has been following our campaign,” she added.
The campaign and it’s ambassador were this year also awarded with a Humanitarian Of The Year Award by Laico Regency, a US Agency for International Development (USAID) award on Leadership and Management and named Young Achiever Women Students Welfare Association( WOSWA), an initiative of University of Nairobi.

MR KENYA JOINS CLIMATE CHANGE CAMPAIGN

Victor Mugambi Mbecca with outgoing Miss Kenya Ruth Kinuthia
The current Mr Kenya Victor Mugambi Mbeca joined forces with Gospel rapper Juliani in spreading awareness on how the ongoing negligence of out environment is leading to drastic climate changes that eventually affect us.
Victor who won the title last year plays the role of project manager to Juliani’s campaign dubbed Rauka Ama Hatuta Survive. This campaign is aimed at changing the attitude of people towards the environment to prevent dangerous climate change.
“Since the inception of the programme, I have been running his campaign. We have had several activations dubbed the Road To Copenhagen,” Victor who also DJ’s for him at functions. said, “We will leave on December 5 to Denmark for the Climate Change conference.” The two are the only Kenyan artistes at the Climate Conference in Copenhagen which will see over 4,500 participants from 181 countries participate in a five-day gathering where issues of technology cooperation, reducing emissions from deforestation in developing countries and mechanisms to disburse funds for developing countries will be discussed.
The Norwegian Church Aid and Kenya Climate Change Warning Group sponsors Juliani’s campaign.

CECILIA MWANGI HONOURED

By Brenda Okoth

Four years ago when Miss World Kenya 2005, Cecilia Mwangi announced that her mission as a beauty queen was to fight jiggers, many of us thought her crazy.
However she didn’t let the snide remarks deter her from devoting her limelight-life to fighting a somewhat disregarded health menace that has afflicted Kenya’s poor families leaving them helpless and unproductive.
Anti-jigger campaign led by Cecilia Mwangi has once again been awarded with a Humanitarian Of The Year Award by Laico Regency. This makes it a total of Four awards received by the group in Four months.
The Cocktail was attended by the Public Health Minister Hon. Beth Mugo whose ministry was awarded with a Certificate of recognition for supporting the Campaign.
The Minister said that the Ministry has set aside 10 Million for fighting jiggers this year. She also asked members of Parliament to stop feeling embarrased and get involved as well channel some of the CDF cash towards the fifght.
Francis Atwoli sent his personal contribution of Ksh. 100,000 and urged Cecilia to continue with the campaign without fear.

Cecila Mwangi Awarded Young Achiever Prize

Cecilia Mwangi- Miss World Kenya 2005 was yesterday honoured with Young Achievers award by Women Students Welfare Association.( WOSWA) an initiative of University of Nairobi. This was in recognition of her fight against jiggers. Young achievers award is the third award Cecilia has received within two months this year alone. The first was Global leadership&management award from USAID, Service Award from JKUAT and finally Young Achiever 2009. The award ceremony which was held at Intercontinental hotel was attended by among others Prime minister's wife Madam Ida Odinga and Maendeleo ya Wanawake Chairperson Mrs Rukia Subwo. The two were also awarded for mentoring the youth especially young girls in Kenya.

Meanwhile several celebrities led by top media personalities have confirmed they will attend the coming Saturday's jigger awareness campaign. Cecilia has appealed to more Kenyan celebrities to come on board

Ahadi Trust wins USAID award

For the humble task of fighting to eradicate jiggers, Ahadi Trust were announced winners of the third annual Leadership & Management Award, supported by the US Agency for International Development. The news was released officially on Wednesday by the Management Sciences for Health, an American NGO.
Ahadi Trust was lauded for its exemplary leadership and management skills to overcome challenges and achieve measurable results in the areas of HIV/AIDS, infectious disease, and maternal/child health. The Kenyan NGO is run by Stanley Kamau and Miss World Kenya 2005 Cecilia Mwangi.
The Leadership and Management Award is an annual award it was created to recognize teams of health care professionals. The Kenyan team beat 13 other teams from around the world, including countries like Peru, Burkina Faso and Afghanistan.
Ahadi Trust which was founded in 2007 will receive a Sh120,000 grant to further its work.