Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects 2013/2014: Ground Breaking Ceremony of the Project for the Expansion of Mary Immaculate Dispensary Kaptagat

Title	Ground Breaking Ceremony of the Project for the Expansion of Mary Immaculate Dispensary Kaptagat
Date	28th May 2014
Location	Mary Immaculate Dispensary Kaptagat – Ainabkoi Division, Eldoret East Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County, Rift valley Province
Project title	The Project for the Expansion of Mary Immaculate Dispensary Kaptagat
Amount	US$ 121,859 (Approx. Kshs 10 million)
Attendance	Mr. Mikio Mori: Deputy Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Kenya H.E. Daniel Chemno: Deputy Governor of Uasin Gishu County Most Rev. Cornelius Kipng’eno Arap Korir: Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Eldoret Director of Moi University Eldoret East Campus Mother General of Mary Immaculate Sisters of Nyeri Members of Catholic Diocese of Eldoret Officials from the Local Government Members of Community Road Empowerment (CORE) Eldoret Office Members of grantee organization and the local community The contractor and the external auditor Total of about 150 participants
Main activity	The Ground Breaking Ceremony of the Project for the Expansion of Mary Immaculate Dispensary Kaptagat which had its Grant Contract signed on 3rd of March 2014, was held in Uasin Gishu County and witnessed by among others, officials from the Embassy of Japan in Kenya. The grant has provided for the construction of a maternity ward for the dispensary. There had been no maternity health facilities in the neighbourhood and the nearest hospital was more than 20 km away. For this reason, the community of Kaptagat was suffering from lack of access to maternity health care. Having a maternity ward has been a longstanding desire of the people of Kaptagat for safe childbirth. The ground breaking ceremony accompanied by songs and dances performed by women groups included planting of trees, touring of the project site and speeches of appreciation from officials among them H.E. Daniel Chemno, Deputy County Governor who expressed their gratitude to Japan for the assistance. In his remarks, Mr. Mori congratulated the dispensary for their success in getting the grant and holding a ground breaking ceremony to commence the project. He urged the grantee to implement the project that would enable the mothers have adequate environment for childbirth. He also introduced other Japan’s assistance in Uasin Gishu County like SHEP- (Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment & Project) Approach by Japan International Cooperative Agency (JICA) and Rural Road Maintenance using “Do-nou (a Japanese word meaning sand bag) by Community Road Empowerment (CORE). At the end of his remarks, Mr. Mori quoted part of a speech of Japan’s Prime Minister, Mr. Shinzo Abe during his recent visit to Africa, “When African women shine, Africa will most certainly be truly radiant.” Mr. Mori hoped that when completed, the project would enable mothers to safely and happily deliver their babies.

Photographs

Most Rev. Cornelius Korir, Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Eldoret giving a speech

H.E. Daniel Chemno, Deputy Governor of Uasin Gishu County giving a speech

Women Group expressing joy by singing and dancing