In March 2012 four people from the Mount Kenya region
attended a one-week seminar of anamed international at Machakos. Keith Lindsey
and Jutta Krauss of anamed international, Germany, as well as Major Rebecca
Nzuki from Machakos District and Tamima Omondi from South Nyanza trained 30
participants from many parts of Kenya. The programme included information about
the medicinal use of artemisia, moringa, neem, aloe, garlic and papaya in
treating malaria, HIV/AIDS, skin problems and other ailments.
In practical
sessions, the participants made ointments and teas and laid out a medicinal
garden. Many other health related topics were covered and the group visited the
local anamed group to share their experiences.
At the end of
the seminar the group was visited by the press. One of the seminar participants
gave testimony how she had benefited from the use of natural medicine: She had
been bed-ridden with AIDS but was now able to lead a self-help group for
HIV-positive people and to take part in national forums on that issue.
 |
| MKICDO board members at the anamed seminar in Machakos |
On April 19th, the seminar participants
from the Mount Kenya region conducted their own workshop at CCM Ruguta Church.
 | |||||
| Anna Gatea of anamed addresses the workshop participants |
They introduced
the idea of using natural medicine and encouraged everybody to grow medicinal
plants in their own garden/shamba. When hibiscus and lemongrass tea were
prepared on a traditional three-stone fire a discussion on the need to save
fuel wood came up. The trainers recommended the use of fuel-efficient stoves
and demonstrated a Solar CooKit.
 |
| wasteful use of firewood |
 |
| cooking with the sun is a good alternative |
The course participants - some of them school teachers - gave
a very positive evaluation of the day´s activities and emphasized the need for
more such workshops in the future. They founded the Ruguta Christian Concern
Group and resolved to hold regular meetings.
 |
| the workshop participants |
