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Recently, the Ugandan Office of the Prime Minister made a request to Real Medicine Foundation to help provide tuition support to 34 of the Sudanese children in the settlement to attend the Panyandoli Self Help Secondary School. RMF is investigating funding to extend its program to aid these children.
This reporting period, Real Medicine Foundation joined with the UNHCR to provide the Panyandoli Health Centre with critical medicine supplies, giving patients the option to either utilize pharmaceuticals or acupuncture to address their conditions. The majority of the Kenyan refugees continued with acupuncture treatments exclusively, while most others used both acupuncture and pharmaceuticals. There is no question that Body Point Acupuncture and the NADA protocol have become part of the lives of the people in Kiryandongo and are reliable and safe options for them to treat their various illnesses, pain, and psychological trauma. For this reporting period:
Priscilla, 38 years old, has been suffering from stress due to poverty and struggling with life every day. The family has only one meal a day, which is not normal in Uganda. With no money to access basic necessities like soap, salt, matches, clothing, or food, the family just waits for neighbors to lend a helping hand. They are laughed at by those who living independently. Life’s difficulties make her quarrel with her husband and blame him for failing to provide. She is having difficulty accepting her condition of being a refugee. Her husband cannot comprehend her feelings and subjects her to domestic violence that leads to more stress, which lowers both her immunity and her appetite. Priscilla’s immediate neighbors saw the life she is living and advised her to meet with acupuncture team. When she was treated they asked her to bring the husband for treatment as well. Both received treatment and counseling by the acupuncture team. Because the acupuncture team earns a stipend from RMF they shared some of their earnings to further ease the couple’s pain. If the team discovers a desperate situation like this they always sacrifice something to that person. At the moment, the couple is calm. Although they are still struggling with life, they have now found a way to cope. Both Priscilla and her husband continue to receive acupuncture treatments. All domestic violence has stopped. Successes of the Body Point Acupuncture
Homeopathic Malaria Treatment Homeopathic treatment for Malaria has shown to be very effective in curing and preventing malaria, and supported the community during occasions when Panyandoli Health Centre was low on inventory for malaria medicine. Health workers could only diagnose patients and prescribe drugs for patients to buy from private clinics. After the diagnosis from the health centre, many patients sought out the homeopathic malaria team for free treatment. The opportunity to receive homeopathic treatment is no longer an option. Malaria homeopathy operations ceased the second week of November 2009 at the request of the Ministry of Health. Successes
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Update December 3, 2009
School Support for Kenyan Refugees
Although the Kenyan government is responsible for the school fees paid for primary school, there are other costs such as PTA fees that, if not paid by the parents, prevent the children from attending school. RMF continues to support the 487 Kenyan children attending Arnold Memorial and Canron Primary Schools by paying the PTA fees and providing school supplies for the three annual terms.
The UNHCR found a donor for the UNEB registration fees and asked RMF to provide funds for transportation, accommodation and meals for the students taking the exams in Malindi over a two to four week period. RMF provided funding for the travel to Malindi, a town two hours from the settlement.
Homeopathic Malaria Program Susan Njihia and Margaret Mukwaiti, the RMF homeopathic malaria team, have remained busy, especially during rainy season when the mosquitoes swarm in abundance throughout the settlement. For the past couple of months, the malaria pharmaceutical supply at Panyadoli Health Centre has been depleted.** The community visits the health centre and is tested for malaria when Rapid Deployment Tests (RDT) are in stock. When no pharmaceuticals are available, the community can choose to either travel into town and buy medicine from the pharmacy, or receive malaria homeopathics for no cost through the RMF Homeopathic Malaria Program. Many have chosen the homeopathic treatment for both prophylaxis and treatment. The RMF Homeopathic Malaria Program has treated 35% of the malaria cases in the settlement since initiation of the program in December 2008. Those that take advantage of the homeopathic malaria prophylaxis and treatment are mostly Kenyan refugees, but, through sensitization, the homeopathic team has spread the word and educated Sudanese refugees and Internally Displaced Ugandans about the benefits of homeopathy as well. Non-Kenyans comprise 13% of the malaria cases treated this last 2-month reporting period. This number steadily increases with continued sensitization.
Hanza Kauddo, Ardala Ali and Maulambh Fatuma, a Ugandan family, first learned about homeopathic prophylaxis for malaria 5 months ago. They frequently visit the homeopathic team for prophylactic treatment and the family members have remained malaria-free since being treated prophylactically, being resistant to the disease even during the rainy season when malaria was prevalent throughout the area. There are several additional families that have successfully protected themselves against malaria for many months utilizing homeopathy. **In November, RMF assisted with stocking the health centre with much-needed medicine. For the latest update on the Panyadoli Health Centre, go to www.realmedicinefoundation.org/initiatives/IN1-28.asp. Acupuncture Through Real Medicine Foundation, over 30,000 free National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) treatments have been provided at the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement since the initiation of the program in April 2008 at the Mulanda Transit Centre, the temporary refugee camp established for Kenyans prior to their resettlement in Kiryandongo. During the national NADA conference held in Ann Arbor, Michigan this past summer, Dr. Michael Smith, founder of NADA and Director of the Lincoln Recovery Center in the Bronx, New York, proclaimed that the NADA training held at the Mulanda Transit Centre is the most successful NADA training held. Dr. Smith based this proclamation on the unprecedented volume of patients treated. Prior to having these results, Dr Smith did not realize that this potential was possible. NADA treatments are used primarily for post-traumatic stress disorder at the refugee settlement. Along with a successful RMF-sponsored NADA program, the settlement also benefits from an RMF-sponsored whole body acupuncture program utilizing acupuncture points all over the body in comparison to the NADA protocol, which utilizes acupuncture points solely on the ear. Both NADA and whole body acupuncture benefit the body, mind and spirit. More than 3500 whole body acupuncture treatments have been provided since the whole body program was introduced in December 2008. The primary conditions treated with this modality are pain, such as headache and backache, respiratory conditions and fever. Close to 70% of all acupuncture treatments provided during the last reporting period were for pain relief. Both the NADA and the whole body acupuncture treatments are of great benefit to the community, especially when pharmaceuticals are out-of-stock in the health centre and in cases where pharmaceuticals do not provide the patient with relief.
Update June 2009 Malaria Program at Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement The Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement is comprised of approximately 5,000 Sudanese and Kenyan Refugees. Surrounding this area are over 10,000 Ugandan IDP’s (Internally Displaced People). The Panyadoli Health Center, which Real Medicine is upgrading, is the main health center for these communities. Malaria Malaria is perhaps the most pervasive of infectious diseases in the world, killing millions each year and rendering still millions more sick and bedridden. Traditionally, malaria medications are high in demand, costly when not subsidized by government and/or international aid organizations and their efficacy varies. The Kiryandongo Settlement is no exception. Year after year malaria holds the number one spot on their list of diseases treated, many of the refugees contract malaria monthly. Often times the clinic runs short of malaria medicine to meet the demands.
Here are some of their fans that have been successfully treated by the homeopathic team and came out to tell their stories.
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At the Panyadoli Health Center malaria medications are usually in high demand, so high, that the staff runs out of the supplies provided by the government and UNHCR. When this occurs patients have to go into Bweyale town and purchase medicine for treatment and prevention from a local pharmacy. A three day supply costs about 15,000 Ugandan Schillings or about $8 US. Six more days are required after the initial treatment course for prevention that will last approximately 6 months. At $24 per patient for six months, $100 would treat 4 patients. The investment for RMF’s current homeopathic program at the Kiryandongo settlement was approximately $100 for six months of homeopathic malaria medication. What is remarkable however is that there is a marked difference in the number treatable for this amount: approximately 2,000 patients more on the homeopathic program. Even the patients seem to prefer it stating that it is more effective than conventional medicines. Over 1,500 cases of malaria have been successfully treated. From adults to children who have had chronic malaria, to a teen suffering from cerebral malaria and needing to be restrained due to mania, the protocol has cured every case.
Joshua Mbugwa, pictured above, was bedridden for some time and unable to work, he had a most compelling story. In addition to Malaria he was infected with painful, debilitating jiggers (tiny mite infestation in the feet), which can literally eat away the toes. Not only did the treatment cure the malaria, it also cleared up the jiggers so he could walk and work in the fields again. Very proudly he displayed the blisters and calluses on his hands and blessed Real Medicine for our support. The stories kept coming – Susan and Margaret have walked the village since early December and have treated over 2,000 cases of malaria. Special meeting points within the village have been identified and times were designated throughout the week. – Susan says they get “overwhelmed” by refugees wanting the medicine.
The news of the treatment’s efficacy is spreading like a bush fire and while the successes continue to mount, there are still some challenges. During rainy season Susan and Margaret will need some additional supplies to maintain their work, i.e. gum boots, bikes and offices supplies to stay organized. Additionally, more time is needed to gain acceptance by the Sudanese community. While Susan and Margaret have offered their services to the Sudanese, they remain skeptical, not so much because of the treatment itself but because it is administered by Kenyans. During their next visit Beth and Megan will train some Sudanese refugees and Ugandan IDP’s to
Update February 2009
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In December, 2008, RMF conducted a site visit to Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement to assess the acupuncture and other programs, and to train a select group in basic acupuncture protocols for conditions prevalent at the camp. The community welcomed us with songs, poems, and dramas, many of these about the effect of acupuncture in the community. The common thread was that community issues such as domestic abuse, stress, and alcoholism were all ameliorated with acupuncture treatments. It was a bit surreal to watch these dramas unfold on the red dust of Africa, under a mango tree, surrounded by a community that had been through such hardship as these people. Our own trainees-cum-acupuncturists put on one of these dramas, including a NADA clinic using real needles & actual treatments. They impressed us with the assiduousness of their clean needle technique & other safety precautions. |
  When asked whether the dramas were accurate about acupuncture being of such relief to the community around such issues as domestic abuse, they said "Yes, this was one of the common feedbacks from families". One trainee said his first experience of this was his own. After the violence in Kenya, he was really angry, and would pick fights with his wife, and be rough on his kids – often retreating to a bar for solace. After May's training (during which he began receiving regular acupuncture), his alcohol cravings decreased, his sleep improved dramatically, and his entire family was appreciative of the changes in him. It’s notable that those providing acupuncture at the camp continue to come for NADA treatments during their "off" times.  The team currently provides treatment at 2 sites, 3times per week at each site. They now rotate so that 3 acupuncturists provide 50-60 treatments per 3 hour treatment shift. To date, the RMF trained NADA specialists have provided over 18,000 treatments. During a visit to the camp the Ugandan Minister of Relief and Disaster Preparedness, whose offices oversee Refugee settlements in Uganda, was reportedly very impressed with his treatment.  Five Kenyan refugees and Faith Karakacha, a nurse midwife trained in May and working at Mella Health Clinic near Tororo, participated in December’s body point acupuncture training. Faith was chosen for the training because she has made phenomenal use of the skills she received and has had remarkable results. A few weeks after the May training, there was a land dispute between two rival clans in her area. One clan attacked the other, burning crops, buildings and livestock. Because of continued conflict and loss of land, victims were moved to an Internally Displaced People (IDP) Camp guarded by Ugandan soldiers. Faith delivered NADA treatments at this site, and reports that many patients who were hopeless and despondent after the conflict, found a renewed sense of hope and purpose with the treatments. One woman at the IDP camp lost her child in the conflict when her hut was burned down. Afterwards the mother wanted to hang herself. She attributes her ability to cope with this loss to acupuncture. Soldiers guarding the camp also received treatment, and continue to request treatment for stress and substance abuse. Faith, being a nurse-midwife, also sees many Obstetric/Gynecological cases at the rural health clinic where she works. Numerous individuals deal with unwanted pregnancies, HIV+ results, the desperation that arises from poverty, and other challenges. These patients found relief and a sense of equilibrium through the acupuncture treatments, which helped them better negotiate their lives with a sense of hope rather than despair. This all reinforces how dramatically something as simple and cost-effective as NADA can strengthen a community.
Supplemental malaria medication, malnutrition products, suture kits, vitamins and other supplies were provided to the health clinic. The refugee community also benefited from the distribution of toothbrushes, clothing, toys and arts and crafts. Over 100,000 acupuncture needles and ear beads were replenished ensuring the continuation of the NADA and body point acupuncture programs.
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History, as of April 2008
 
Early in March, and under strong international pressure to find a resolution, the Kenyan government has signed a power sharing deal with the opposition party – a first step toward lasting peace. Kenyans have lost family members, homes and businesses; schools and churches have been burned down. Many of the refugees in Uganda say that it is still too dangerous to return to Kenya. Some say they may never go back.
Current Situation and Need for Aid One specific need among the refugee population is treatment for the psychological effects of trauma. The humanitarian organization World Vision is looking at the psycho-social needs of the refugees, while UNHCR has taken part in an assessment aimed at identifying and helping the most traumatized Kenyans.
 "Many refugees are traumatized," said Yumiko Takashima, head of a UNHCR emergency response team deployed in Uganda. "Most of them are educated and were running small businesses. With their houses burned down and their shops looted, they simply lost everything. More important, refugees feel they have been betrayed by their close neighbors."
The Response
In an effort to meet this need, Real Medicine Foundation (RMF) Team Whole Health will bring acupuncture services to the camps they visit. Recent studies suggest that acupuncture may be as effective as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for psychological conditions such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. “Acupuncture is a proven, easily transportable, and cost-effective healthcare tool,” says Megan Yarberry, RMF’s Team Whole Health Project Coordinator “We’re hoping to provide support and healing to hundreds of people each day.” Acupuncture is used as a regular part of many public health clinics in the United States for conditions ranging from mental health to addictions to HIV/AIDS. It is increasingly recognized as an effective tool for people who have been traumatized by disaster, whether man-made or natural.
The RMF Team Whole Health will travel to Kenyan refugee camps to provide acupuncture services. Local healthcare workers will be trained in a basic acupuncture protocol to relieve lingering psychological trauma. RMF is arranging continued support for local teams to supply on-going acupuncture treatments.
In addition to providing acupuncture, RMF will make provisions for a temporary secondary school. Currently the children in secondary are not attending school due to a lack of funds for shelter, teacher’s salaries and materials such as books, chalkboard, etc. RMF is raising funds for a large tent to shelter the children, annual teachers’ salaries, and supplies.
School teacher, Clare Apio, has requested training in stress reduction techniques. RMF will procure art supplies and provide art therapy. Director of Team Whole Health, Beth Cole, will lead the children in yoga techniques including simple physical and breathing exercises and guided meditation to reduce stress. The teachers will receive training and be provided with a yoga manual so the lessons can continue when the Real Medicine Team departs.
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Beth Cole can be contacted at her email You can help by donating here, and specifying 'Kenyan Refugees' in the Note to Real Medicine.
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When the Kenyan refugees arrived at the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement one and a half years ago, there was no provision for nursery school at the settlement. The community requested that Real Medicine Foundation (RMF) provide support for two nursery schools. The settlement provided space for the Daystar and Beth Cole Nursery Schools and the schools were established. The burden of paying nursery school fees is usually imposed upon the parents, however, RMF is paying these fees, along with providing school supplies and morning porridge for 260 Kenyan children. Without nutritional support, the children often leave school to walk home seeking a meal. Providing porridge at the nursery schools assures a higher attendance. 
Upon UNHCR’s advice that it will take about three years for the refugees to become self-sufficient, RMF is continuing to provide school support at the settlement. Parents are relieved from the struggle of taking care of their children during the day as they work in the fields and have peace of mind that their children will receive an education regardless of their ability to pay for school fees, exams and supplies. With an education, the children have a greater chance that they will be able to leave the refugee settlement and fulfill their dreams.
During this latest reporting period, Simon Wanyama, an elderly man dependent upon others in the community for financial support, went to the health centre presenting with malaria signs and symptoms. Testing confirmed his malaria diagnosis, but pharmaceuticals were not available to treat his condition. Not having funds with which to buy medicine at the pharmacy, Simon sought out Margaret for homeopathic treatment. Within a few days Simon’s signs and symptoms abated and his health was restored.
One man said “Look at the Health Center, there are no patients there being treated for Malaria…this is unusual. The treatment is working so well.”
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