Medical Relief Alliance

NYU Capstone Team Goat Hope

2012-01-27T12:20:00.002-05:00

This year Medical Relief Alliance partnered with New York University’s Robert Wagner Graduate School of Public Service’s Capstone project. The Capstone project is comprised of five students: Boykin Clarke, Caroline Keeley, Vedrana Misic,, Linda Rodriguez, and Valerie Varco. While all having a background in the non-profit sector their technical expertise varies in several different areas.

The capstone team (Team Goat Hope) is focusing on creating a market analysis and business plan for MRA’s social venture goat farm in Embu, Kenya. In order to conduct the market analysis the team traveled from New York to Kenya this month. The team will be providing periodic update blog postings of their experience in Kenya.

2011-04-03T18:53:00.000-04:00

RECENT MRA PROJECT: RUVUMA TANZANIA

One of the programs MRA undertakes is the GOAT HOPE. Goat Hope was established as a microenterprise, supporting both the nutritional and income needs to people affected by HIV/AIDS in the Sub-Saharan Africa. Even though, the program began in Kenya, MRA is proud to extend to other parts of Africa. One of the most recent places is in Ruvuma Tanzania.

WHAT IS GOAT HOPE?

MRA distributes dairy goat to families where at least one family member is affected with HIV/AIDS. The goat provides milk to the family for consumption, and the sale of the surplus brings income to the family.

WHY GOAT HOPE?

I am going to use some big words here, but don’t panic!
Immunodeficiency disorder or immunosuppression simply means suppression of the immune system in the human body. This may occur for many reasons, one of which is AIDS.
Research shows that goat milk is easy to digest than cow milk. It is also high in nutrients such as Vitamin B1, B6 and contains Niacin content, therefore helping people suffering from immunodeficiency disorder.
Also, goat is more easily acceptable in the Sub-Saharan African cultures. It requires low resources to sustain and grow their herds, resulting in higher return.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

On average, the Goat Hope project approximately costs $5,500 annually. The funds are used to purchase 24 crossbred dairy goats which are leased to six households (i.e. four goats per household), with at least one member affected with HIV/AIDS. The funds are also used to provide training, constant evaluation and support to local NGOs on implementing and managing the Goat Hope project.

OUR SUCCESS RATE?

To date, MRA has implemented the Goat Hope project to over 30 households in Kenya. These households represent over 300 children, women and men affected with HIV/AIDS. Over 100 goats have been gifted to beneficiaries in three Kenyan provinces.

BEYOND KENYA TO RUVUMA TANZANIA

Ruvuma Tanzania has the similar rural settings as Kenya. We believe that the Goat Hope will have similar success in Ruvuma Tanzania, addressing better economic and health outcome among people affected by HIV/AIDS.

Thank You for Supporting MRA!

2011-01-14T12:06:00.001-05:00

Thank You for Your Support to MRA!
Hello! Great News! Goats have been delivered to 9 households in Transmara Kenya. The Goat Hope beneficiaries represent 60 children, women and men affected with HIV/AIDS. A few weeks ago we shared the profile of two families and today we list the other seven family profiles below.

Kinangare Keiyua Family – Ms. Keiyua, a widow with three children, is HIV positive. Ms. Keiyua has maintained a very healthy lifestyle (considering the standards of living in rural Kenya) mainly through tilling her land where she grows very nutritious food crops (spinach, various legumes and fruit). The Keiyua diet, however, lacks animal protein that is particularly important for healthy growth of the younger children and a stronger immune system for Ms. Keiyua. The two goats they will receive will be extremely crucial in supplementing their household diet.

Kinangare Tiringa Family is one of the smaller households impacted with HIV/AIDS in Enoosean Village, Transmara, Kenya. Ms. Tiringa, also HIV positive, keeps herself optimistic by rearing chicken that she sells to provide for resources that purchase her households food and other subsistent needs. The goats will be instrumental in supplementing their household income and furthering Ms. Tiringa’s goal of educating her children.

Kinyingita Naigisa – Poses with her daughter and granddaughter. While Ms. Naigisa is not HIV positive, her daughter and granddaughter are. She has therefore assumed the role of caretaker at her golden years and the goats her household receive will be extremely important for her daughter and granddaughters nutrition.

Naibaituni Nairimo household is one of the few families endowed with resources that can enable them quickly emerge from below the poverty line. Because this household has a son who is primary school educated and strong enough to perform various agricultural activities, their diet and economic outlook, though dire, is not as catastrophic as the other family profiles. The goats are the boost the Nairimo family needs to establish a stronger economic footing that can catapult them to an income level of $1500 – 2500 annually, just barely above the UN defined poverty line threshold. The goat milk will also be useful in providing much needed nutrition for Ms. Nairimo’s daughter who is HIV positive.

Naoroi Nangea Family represents the unfortunate emerging trend in most of Africa’s Sub Saharan villages where the grandparents are having to play the role of caregiver after their grandchildren are orphaned by HIV/AIDS. Mama Nagea is almost 80 years old and her eight grandchildren were recently orphaned by AIDS that claimed the lives of their parents. Prior to the role of caretaker, Mama Nangea was already struggling to feed herself and could barely make it economically. Having been thrust into the role of provider again, Mama Nangea and family profiles like hers depend on projects like Goat Hope as the only lifeline. Medical Relief Alliance, Inc. will work closely with the local government officials in Enoosean to ensure that Mama Nangea receives the support she needs to be successful in rearing her dairy goats. Beyond the two goats she’ll receive, MRA intends to gift her additional two goats in 2011 owing to the size and need in her family.

Narku Naigisa Family is another very hopeful family that requires a minimal support before breaking through to marginally live above the UN defined poverty line. Because of the age, size and resources available to this family, Ms. Naigisa is in a better position that many of her HIV/AIDS widowed counterparts to educate her daughter. Naisum, her daughter is a brilliant student and aspires to be the first veterinary officer in her village. With the gift of the goats, Ms. Naigisa can save additional funds from the proceeds of milk sales that can enable Naisum obtain further education which has the potential to tremendously change their household circumstances. Her two other children were not at home when this picture was taken.

Nookapia Ntuatai and her four children recently lost Mr. Ntuatai to HIV/AIDS. Like in most other households, he was the breadwinner consequently his sudden death had a significant impact on not only the emotional stability of their household but also economic and health effects. Ms. Ntuatai is often overwhelmed and paralyzed with the bills that were left behind by her husband’s hospital bills. In fact, the understandable paralysis Ms. Ntuatai experiences have impeded her from getting tested to determine if she is HIV positive.

As the Ntuatai household receive the gift of two dairy goats to supplement their households income and nutrition, MRA is determined to work with Ms. Ntuatai to get tested at the opportune time so that effective health related interventions can be put in place sooner if need be.

As the underlying theme of the family profiles suggest, the dairy goats you help purchase, provide milk that improves the nutrition of the family while also establishing a path to financial independence through sales of surplus milk.

The average family MRA supports survives on $500 annually prior to participating in our goat project. After participating in our goat project for 12-18months, the average beneficiary family increases their income from $500 to $1,500 annually through sales of the goat milk!

Your gift that can be made safely and securely at MRA Website. A gift of $5 thus has the exponential capacity to transform lives in Kenya, one family at a time.

Ask a question by emailing MRA
Follow us on Twitter: MRA_Africa
Like us on Facebook: The Medical Relief Alliance
Visit our website: MRA Website

Meet the Momposhi Family, Participants of the Goat Hope Project!

2010-12-18T17:51:00.001-05:00

In our continued campaign leading to the New Years, Medical Relief Alliance, Inc. wants to introduce you to the Momposhi family. As we share with you about this family, we remind you that a gift of $5 or more contributes to our work which improves people's health and economic status. For the holidays, consider making a small donation to enable us to purchase two dairy goats for other families with similar circumstances to Momposhi family.. =) Visit MRA Website !!

Ask a question by emailing MRA
Follow us on Twitter: MRA_Africa
Like us on Facebook: The Medical Relief Alliance
Visit our website: MRA Website

Blog: Why I Volunteer as MRA's Blogger and Tweeter =)

2010-12-15T23:10:00.000-05:00

Why hello there! My name is Annie and I am the new tweeter & blogger for Medical Relief Alliance (MRA), a non-profit that strives to improve the economic and health conditions of those affected by HIV/AIDS in Sub-Sahara Africa. I’m excited to start this journey with MRA and share it all with you! Most of my background, since 2003, has been in non-profit community based work in NYC (my hometown!!), but I’ve always wanted to help communities that face devastating hunger and poverty. This is my opportunity at MRA! YAY! About 4 weeks ago, I met MRA co-Founder Beatrice Adiedo and was impressed by a number of things about MRA! Like...

1. MRA is COMPLETELY volunteer run and 90% of all donations go to the programs (education, supplying medical supplies, and goat hope microenterprise).
2. MRA listens to the communities and, together, they develop effective solutions.
3. MRA continually provides capacity training and support to the communities running the programs.
4. MRA works a lot with widows and women affected by HIV/AIDS.
5. MRA has so much capacity to grow! MRA currently has 8 non-profits in Kenya waiting to work with MRA for the next Goat Hope Project!

There’s a ton more and I’ll be sharing with you all every other day so that you get the inside scoop. But consider diving into discussing in the comment box below, asking a question, volunteering with us, making a donation or just sharing with your friends about MRA. I hope that we, together, can change people’s lives. Please ask us a question in the comment box below about anything you've been meaning to ask MRA!

Please also read the last blog about the families your support/donations are helping. Please consider making a small donation. =) Visit MRA Website !!

Ask a question by emailing MRA
Follow us on Twitter: MRA_Africa
Like us on Facebook: The Medical Relief Alliance
Visit our website: MRA Website

Ciao!!!
Annie

Goat Hope: A Business That Will Triple The Narkumuran's Family Income

2010-12-14T19:51:00.000-05:00

In the 15 days leading to 2011, Medical Relief Alliance, Inc. wants to introduce you to the families that will greatly benefit from your monetary support for the Goat Hope Project. There are many other families still waiting to participate in MRA's Goat Hope project, but need your continual support. Your gift that can be made safely and securely at www.mra-africa.org will enable us to purchase two dairy goats for a family of 6-8 members affected by HIV/AIDS. Your donation will help purchase goats which provide milk which improves the nutrition of the family while also establishing a path to financial independence through sales of surplus milk.

Because of your help in 2009 and 2010, the families we supported, representing almost 40 children, women and men affected with HIV/AIDS, almost 70% of these families have increased their goat herds by 30% of the original gift subsequently increasing their income tremendously.

The average family survives on $500 annually before participating in our goat project. After participating in our goat project for 12-18months, the average beneficiary family increases their income from $500 to $1,500 annually through sales of the goat milk!

Your donation of at least $5 has the exponential capacity to transform lives in Kenya, one family at a time. Please visit our website to see how you can donate.

Website: www.mra-africa.org

Donate Your Cup of Joe to Help Families affected by HIV/AIDS

2010-12-13T18:40:00.000-05:00

Hello! If you didn't know, on December 16th, Medical Relief Alliance is launching their 2nd Goat Hope Project in Transmara, Kenya!!! A total of 9 families affected by HIV/AIDS, have been chosen to run a goat enterprise which will be a source of nutrition and income for them. The widows that head the household will be empowered to lead this enterprise and will have property (goats) and provide milk to her family members, and see their income increase! It's been a wonderful, exciting time. We have 8 other non-profits in Kenya waiting for us to assist more families! Please visit our website and consider making a contribution to this innovative project.

Medical Relief Alliance Website: http://www.mra-africa.org/

Donation Page: http://www.nycharities.org/donate/c_donate.asp?CharityCode=2660

Happy Memorial Day!

2010-05-31T14:35:00.000-04:00

HEY!

We hope all of you are enjoying your day off!!
Of course, we know it's supposed to be a day OFF but we would like to remind you of our active programs that you can participate in TODAY to help us relieve the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Kenya!

Medical Supplies & Equipment Relief Program (MS+ER):
Beginning with Kenya, the core objective of MS+ER is to respond quickly, efficiently and cost effectively to health needs in Sub-Sahara Africa. We work to meet critical health needs of impoverished communities through mobilizing and leveraging resources from governments, communities, hospitals and individuals with the aim of enhancing sustainable and cost-effective approaches to saving lives.

Community Health Outreach Program
This program aims to provide education and evidence-based HIV infection prevention services to communities most impacted with HIV/AIDS with the help of the Kenyan Government.

And of course...GOAT HOPE
http://vimeo.com/8243913
Need I say more??

SO please take a minute of your day and look through these programs and see what you can do to help us meet our goals!
Once again, have a great Memorial Day :)

MRA

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-05-19T15:16:00.000-04:00

MRA Goat Hope Raffle Event from Nurbanu Asena on Vimeo.

Our highly anticipated raffle event is over! And thanks to everyone who participated, it was a huge success!

We have already raised $8.000 for the Goat Hope Project. We will keep you posted with the news and the details of the production starting from this summer!

You can check out the pictures from the event on our Facebook page (don't forget to "like" us!) or simply visit http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=218587&id=128434261040.

Once again, thank you SO MUCH to everyone who made this event possible and such a success!!!!

Pictures from AIDS Walk NY! (Part 3)

2010-05-19T09:48:00.000-04:00

Pictures from AIDS Walk NY! (Part 2)

2010-05-19T09:44:00.001-04:00

Pictures from AIDS Walk NY! (Part 1)

2010-05-19T09:39:00.000-04:00

2010-05-13T13:20:00.000-04:00

Hello MRA Supporter!

This coming Sunday (May 16th, 2010), MRA welcomes you to join us in the AIDS Walk NY Campaign taking place in Central Park. AIDS Walk NY Campaign is geared toward fighting, embracing new allies, remembering loved ones lost, and working to realize a future without AIDS. Besides raising awareness and increasing solidarity with the millions affected with HIV/AIDS, the event also raises money to support people infected with HIV/AIDS in NYC and the tri-state area.

Last year alone, 45,000 people participated to raise over $5.6 million! This year, MRA intends to take part in this benevolent campaign in unity AIDS Walk NY while also sounding the trumpet on behalf of our beneficiaries in Sub Sahara Africa, including Kenya. So come out and walk with us and let us increase the awareness that AIDS still claims millions of lives and together we can do something! After all, IT WILL BE AN AWESOME TIME! Various entertainers including Jai Rodriguez, Hal Sparks, and Leon & the Peoples will be there to make this meaningful event even more memorable!

For those of you who can't make it to the event but still would like to be a part of the worthy cause, MAKE A ‘LOUD’ STATEMENT on MRA’s FaceBook profile (http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Medical-Relief-Alliance/128434261040) and encourage your network to either participate or make a statement as well!

More information about the Walk can be retrieved from http://www.aidswalk.net/newyork/index.html.

THREE MORE WEEKS TO GO!

2010-04-05T12:41:00.000-04:00

We have approximately three more weeks to go for our fundraising event. EXCITING! To make it more exciting we have some good news for you. We raised another $25 last week! But sadly, we are still behind a week in terms of our fundraising campaign. However, you could still change it.. yes YOU. Let the word spread. Tell your friends and family about the event. Your donations will help us to buy goats for Kenyan families. As mentioned many times before, you have nothing to lose and it's all for a good cause.
To fill up our chart over here, all we need is FOUR more donations of $25. Please help us.

MRA GOAT HOPE CAMPAIGN

2010-04-02T15:57:00.000-04:00

Medical Relief Alliance is currently fundraising for our Goat Hope Program. If five people donate $25 we will buy a dairy goat which costs $125 for a family living with HIV/AIDS in rural Kenya. The goat will be used to improve the family’s nutrition from the milk and supplement their income through the sale of surplus milk.

Ultimately, in 2010 MRA wants to purchase 100 goats for 25 families that represent almost 400 children, women and men affected with HIV/AIDS across rural Kenya. This means that each family will get 4 goats and have the ability to significantly improve their nutrition and income by almost 130% in the first year! To date MRA supporters have raised enough funds to purchase 40 goats. We still have to buy 60 goats. You and four of your friends or family can make this happen by pulling your $25 together. Log on to www.mra-africa.org and donate securely. Your gift will go a long way in changing, and perhaps saving someone’s life.

WELCOME BACK!

2010-03-27T22:59:00.000-04:00

WELCOME BACK everybody! As usual, we have some good news for you! And some bad news too. The good news is we have collected one week of our target, which means one more red bar! The bad news, however, is by this time we should have had SIX red bars instead of FIVE. WHAT happened!?

We therefore ask you to please please please help us meet our target. We have about FOUR weeks to our event. We need to make our chart ALL red by then. Please help us. Remember, IT IS ALL FOR A GOOD CAUSE. Your donation will help us buy goats for Kenyan families, who can use the goat's milk for their families, PLUS the surplus can be sold. How good can that be?

Remember four weeks and five more bars. YOU can make this happen.

WEEK THREE

2010-03-11T23:32:00.000-05:00

Hello everybody! This week we are here with some exciting news. Not only did we reach our target for the week, but we have actually surpassed it! Isn’t that great? The chart is just getting better and better.

Thank you very much for your support. We couldn’t appreciate enough. Let’s get together and make this chart complete. Tell your friends and family about our event. The more we raise, the better it is. Remember, it’s all for a good cause.

We will come back next week with more red bars. It could only happen if you help us. Please do!

We made it to WEEK TWO!!

2010-03-01T23:07:00.000-05:00

Welcome back! It's been another week of our campaign, and we have done it again! We told you we will get there! Thanks for all your help.

Please support our effort, and you will not be disappointed, we promise. Remember, it’s only $25 per week. That’s all we ask for.

Once again, thank you all and let the word spread!

WEEK ONE

2010-02-22T21:34:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone! It’s Monday again, and the first week of our online campaign. We are happy to let you know what we have reached our goal for the first week! Thanks to you for all your help in making our effort not go in vain. Keep your contributions coming so that we can make our chart look redder and better!

LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN!!

2010-02-15T13:00:00.000-05:00

Here is our plan. We have TEN weeks to our big day! And we need $250 to meet our target. So we give you the option to raise a minimum of $25 per week. That’s only one ticket per week! Now that’s easy, no? Please help us to make this wonderful effort possible. Remember, it’s all for a good cause. Each purchase of a raffle ticket will contribute towards buying a goat for a Kenyan houshold with atleast one member infected with HIV/AIDS. The goat can provide nutrition and income to these families. So hurry up and let’s get the countdown started!

So this is how our countdown is going to work. Every week we will update the chart. For example, if after the first week we are successful in raising $25 (which we will be), the chart will look like this:

In the words of Black Eyed Peas, "Let's get it started (ha), let's get it started in here."

Tickets may be purchased securely through our website at www.mra-africa.org

EVENT POSTPONED

2010-02-09T20:29:00.000-05:00

We know you are very excited to join us on our Goat Hope Raffle Event scheduled on February 10th, 2010. But thumbs down to the snow storm on Wednesday, we have to postpone our event for April 21, 2010. We are sorry if this causes any inconvenience to you, but it’s all so that you can make it to the event nice and safe and not get stuck in the middle of the snow!

Also on the bright side, now we have more time to raise more funds for our Goat Hope Project. Please help us to reach our target and keep a lookout for more updates soon!

The new event information is as follows:

Location: GustOrganics Restaurant @ 519 6th Avenue, NYC
When: April 21, 2010
Time: 7-9 PM

5 MORE DAYS!

2010-02-05T17:46:00.001-05:00

If you still haven’t bought the raffle ticket for our Goat Hope Fundraising Event and you are thinking to buy it, here is a suggestion: DO IT NOW!

Just to reiterate the facts, it’s all for good cause and it only costs you $25. Yes, you got it. It’s ONLY $25.

We need to buy goats for Kenyan households where at least one member is suffering from HIV/AIDS. Goats can provide income plus nutrition to these people.
There is absolutely nothing to lose. Your $25 will contribute towards buying a goat; get you an organic meal and drinks at GustOrganics Restaurant in East Village, NYC and will bring together all the other New Yorkers who share the same concern as you do.

And that’s not all of it. Your raffle ticket may also bring you:

1st Prize: Title deed for a Florida Timeshare Valued at $12,000
2nd Prize: 2 nights/3 days stay at Maasai Mara game Reserve in Kenya
valued at $4,000
3rd prize: 2 nights/3 days stay at the Marriot Hotel in Manhattan
valued at $400

So don’t wait and get started! Go to our website at www.mra-africa.org to buy the tickets. You may even call at 1-212-252-2102 to RSVP, or simply purchase the tickets at the venue.

Let the word spread! Hope to see all of you soon!

Event Details (raffle drawing):
Location: GustOrganics Restaurant @ 519 6th Avenue, NYC
When: February 10, 2010
Time: 7-9 PM

5 MORE DAYS!

2010-02-05T17:46:00.000-05:00

Goat Hope

2010-01-22T15:43:00.000-05:00

MRA is currently fundraising for our Goat Hope program
that aims to buy 100 dairy goats annually that ultimately improve the
nutrition and income of almost 300 children, women and men affected with
HIV/AIDS in rural Kenya.

We need your help to raise the funds needed to meet this modest goal.
Your role is simply telling someone about our Goat Hope Raffle campaign
and buying a $25 raffle ticket from our website (www.mra-africa.org) or
by calling 212-252-2102 to RSVP. Tickets may also be purchased at the
venue.

Your contribution entitles you to a sumptuous organic meal and drinks
at half price at GustOrganics, NYC’s fastest growing organic
restaurant and bar located in East Village. More than that, you’ll get
to meet and dine with concerned New Yorkers who are doing something
about HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Each ticket enters you in a raffle…where you could win:
1st Prize: Title deed for a Florida Timeshare Valued at $12,000
2nd Prize: 2 nights/3 days stay at Maasai Mara game Reserve in Kenya
valued at $4,000
3rd prize: 2 nights/3 days stay at the Marriot Hotel in Manhattan
valued at $400

Event Details (raffle drawing):
Location: GustOrganics Restaurant @ 519 6th Avenue, NYC
When: February 10, 2010
Time: 7-9 PM

Learn more about MRA from our website at www.mra-africa.org.

GOAT HOPE

2009-12-17T16:42:00.001-05:00

Medical Relief Alliance - Shifts Fundraising Gears to Enhance our Goat Hope Program

2009-12-16T14:29:00.000-05:00

2009 ushered in a wave of growth for Goat Hope as this program significantly increased capacity to reach new rural communities in Kenya. Goat Hope was able to continue redressing the economic and health ravages of HIV/AIDS through incorporating microenterprise training, public health and of course, the gift of hybrid (Toggenburg) goats to eligible households throughout rural Kenya.

2010 holds even more promise for Goat Hope program as we are quickly establishing the impact our programming is having to our beneficiaries. For instance, over 60% of our more than 100 beneficiaries have increased their income by over 30% annually (that is from living below poverty at $500 annually to slightly above $1,500!). Additionally, the health outcomes we have collected includes anecdotes of HIV patients seeing a reason to continue mentally fighting the disease to actually slowing down some of the opportunistic symptoms of AIDS through strengthening their immune systems by way of goat milk consumption. Many is not all of the infected patients in rural Kenya have reconnected with their families and communities because of elevated sense of esteem---having more to live for because they know own a means of livelihood (goat herds).

As we prop up Goat Hope through our annual fundraising appeals, particularly the raffle campaign, we are optimistic that MRA will support almost 400 children, women and men with a family member infected with HIV/AIDS. This exciting raffle campaign has wonderful prizes such as a Florida Timeshare valued at $12,000, a guided tour and 4 night stay in one of Kenya’s most prestigious resort and lodges at Masai Mara, and a Manhattan weekend get a way at a Marriot Hotel!

The raffle ticket entitles the bearer to a sumptuous meal, drinks at half price and loads of entertainment as we conduct the drive on February 10th 2010 at GustOrganics, NYC’s newest restaurant and bar trendsetter that serves only organic food and drinks! We thank you for your support. Your purchase of a raffle ticket brings us closer to stabilizing and in some cases saving lives of many Kenyan households with a member infected with HIV/AIDS. So if you haven’t run into one of our volunteers with a raffle ticket for you, consider purchasing one securely through our website at www.mra-africa.org .