Offering a hand up

Kyneton's Katy Condliffe will again use her nursing skills to help provide medical camps and medical education in Kenya.

'Hand up, not hand out' is the motto on Katy Condliffe's latest volunteer trip to Kenya.

The Kyneton local and Melbourne nurse is visiting Kenya for the third time, having found a passion for international volunteering. She is thrilled to have local supporters, Gisborne Medical Centre nurses, Kay Healey (Katy's aunty) and Robyn Moylan joining her on the trip.

"Can you imagine living in a world where the life expectancy was a very young 48 years? Can you imagine being pregnant when six in every 100 women die of pregnancy-related complications and even more babies die within their first year? Could you live in a country where AIDS is more common then medical professionals?" Katy asked.

"This is the country we are going into."

Katy, Kay and Robyn will put their nursing skills to use, as part of a team of nurses and allied health workers, to assist with medical camps in Odede - a town so small and remote Google Maps doesn't list it.

"Our role in Odede is to 'hand up, not hand out', meaning our knowledge, skill and education are the most valuable gift we can offer this community," Katy said.

The medical camps aim to empower the people of Odede and surrounding villages.

"A team of African and international doctors and nurses travel to a selected community and provide free health care to over 300 people is just one day," Katy said.

"Unlike hospitals in Australia, healthcare in Africa is never free and is rarely affordable."

The team will also provide health education to help ensure continued health in the community.

"We will be working clinically in our chosen profession in local hospitals and clinics, providing community health education and promotion to establish long-term health goals," Katy said.

"We aim to work closely with the local Kenyan health professionals to give up-to-date education and advancements in health care so they can continue to provide best quality health care long after we are gone.

"We are also very excited to be working in the newly opened community health care centre in Odede, built by the dedication of previous World Youth International volunteers."

Katy, Kay, Robyn and the team will depart for Western Kenya in three weeks to live and work for three months.

"I am extremely proud to be a part of such an amazing group of dedicated individuals and to see it in action," Katy said.

"Every member of the team has paid their own way to get there and is supporting themselves while in the country with no income."

EVENT

A movie afternoon and fundraiser will be held on Sunday, February 24, 3.30pm, at Westgarth Cinema, 89 High Street, Northcote.

This will raise funds for the these medical projects and more during the trip to Kenya.

The cost is $25 for movie (Silver Linings Playbook) and homemade cupcakes and afternoon tea.

A deposit payment is required by Sunday February 17.

Account Name: K A Condliffe, BSB: 733 234, Westpac Account: 502 116, reference: movie and (your name).

If you are unable to make the cinema but would like to help, a donation can be made at www.mycause.com.au/page/nursesinactionapril2013

Katy can be contacted on 0418 604 745 or at kcondliffe@hotmail.com