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ABOUT US

Our connection with the Educational Assessment and Resource Centre (EARC) in Mumias rural Kenya came about when Jess completed her final Occupational Therapy Placement in 2009. Jenni joined her at the end of the trip and we both fell in love with the town and its people. Passionate healthcare professionals at the EARC provide a service to children with a disability from 0-18 years of age the chance at a better start and access to schooling. We observed the smiles on children's faces during therapy and following life changing surgery, we were inspired to do more for them. 

Our focus has grown to support childhood education, including Fatuma's school "Jesfa Education Academy".

Mumias is located a 10 hour bus ride North West of Nairobi, near the Ugandan boarder

"Mama Cynthia" stems from a grandmother's love of her grandaughter with Cerebral Palsy. We watched in awe as she carried eight year old Cynthia on her back for miles to weekly therapy. It is these strong women together with passionate healthcare professionals that have contributed to disability awareness and access to services becoming widespread.

Jess Medland graduated from a Doctor of Medicine at University of Notre Dame in 2019. She is now completing her internship at Western Health and has a keen interest in Plastic and Reconstructive surgery, driven by her experience in Kenya. Since graduating from Occupational Therapy at LaTrobe University in 2009, Jess specialised in Hand Therapy, Handwriting and Autism consulting. Jess continues to contribute as an OT to the weekend burns unit at the Alfred hospital. Her passion for paediatric burns prevention is demonstrated by initiating community workshops and conducting epidemiological research titled: "Understanding factors contributing to childhood post burn contractures in rural Kenya."

Jenni Medland graduated as a Physiotherapist from LaTrobe University in 2013. She is currently working at The Royal Melbourne Hospital and part-time at The Royal Children's Hospital. Jenni has a strong interest in chronic disease management and teaching . With focus on quality projects to improve patient outcomes. When she returned to Kenya in 2019, Jenni focused on sharing her knowledge with the local health workers. Targeting preventative health conditions and optimising the health of those living in disadvantages circumstances. 

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Sarah Medland graduated from the University of Miami in 2012 double majoring in Education and Fine Arts. Her passion lies with teaching primary school children, currently she teaches Year 2 at Chatham Primary School. Sarah is creative with her teaching methods and resources. She is always collecting ideas and resources that can be implemented in Kenya. Sarah joined the team for her first trip to Kenya in 2019 to assist with teaching and school development. The 'Jesfa Joy Academy' children still talk about Miss Medland's visit. 

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Fatuma Ongoma Wanga is a one of the most hard working Kenyans we know, she is the founder and principal of ‘Jesfa Joy Academy.’ After supporting her university education and gaining teaching experience, she told us she would start a school and on our next trip we were able to visit this school. We are so proud of Fatuma and the positive impact she has made on many young Kenyan’s lives.

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Fundi Matt was an accountant and is now carpenter, he is based in Melbourne and works for ‘Istrom Homes’. Matt joined the team for his first trip in 2017, where he helped to build furniture for Fatuma’s school. It was then Fatuma affectionately named him “Fundi Matt”, which means a “skilled person” or “expert.”

 

The wonderful EARC Team:

 

Sellar Oduori - Director and special needs teacher  

Martin Nafukho (left) - Senior Occupational Therapist Habel - audiologist, hearing impairment specialist

Rhoda Wanjiku - Physiotherapist

Faith Owuor - Orthotic Technician

Suleimina - Cook and Helper 

Yellow House Speech and Language volunteers

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