A Small Group of Thoughtful, Committed Students Change the World

The staff at the health facility in SVH-Mbakalo say "thank you" to the students who cared enough to make a difference.

Four SOTENI Clubs at high schools throughout Cincinnati organized Paint the Town Red concerts and other fundraisers during the past two years to benefit the health dispensary in SOTENI Village of Hope Mbakalo. Students from St. Ursula Academy, Walnut Hills High School, Oak Hills High School, and Indian Hill High School partnered together.

In 2010, concert funds were used to buy drugs and medicines to help treat opportunistic infections at the dispensary.  Having all the money at once allowed the clinic to save money on these supplies by buying in bulk.  In late 2010, the SVH-Mbakalo dispensary moved into a new, semi-permanent building on land that SOTENI owns. Proceeds from the second Paint the Town Red concert last March were used to paint the building inside and out, install ceilings and doors in rough interior, as well as buy new blankets, bed sheets and mattresses.  A new sink is being installed in the laboratory and an additional room was aded in the interior for storage.  In the near future, SOTENI hopes to secure a grant to build a new and expanded facility on the property.  Until then, support from organizations like SOTENI Clubs can make a huge difference in creating a welcoming and respectful atmosphere and a more workable space.  Every dollar raised is used to create a positive experience for patients and their families. 

Since the move to the SOTENI land and because of the improvments that were able to happen due to this small group of students, the SVH-Mbakalo dispensary has received well-deserved recognition from the rural Kenyan population it serves.  In the past year, utilization of the health facility has increased over 100%.  It's clinical officer works in the community one day per week doing outreach and education and winning the trust of the people.

If you belong to a school, church or social group that would like to hold an event to support SOTENI's work, please contact Randie Marsh by email at soteni@soteni.org.  You, too, can be a leader that makes a difference for AIDS orphans, victims and other vulnerable people in SOTENI's four Villages of Hope in rural Kenya!