She is a member of the following institutions:
- International Institute of Safety and Risk Management (IIRSM),
- American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), Kenya Occupational Health and Safety Association (KOHSA) and
- Kenya Institute of Management (KIM).

• Tanya Nduati of the Flying Doctors Society of East Africa,
• Sonam Reel and Wamaitha Mungai of Standard Chartered Bank
• Dr Qureshi of VVF
• Mrs Kiereini – Chairperson Flying Doctors Society

What is VesicoVaginal Fistula?
Obstetric fistula (or vaginal fistula) is a severe medical condition in which a fistula (hole) develops between either the rectum and vagina or between the bladder and vagina  after severe or failed childbirth, when adequate medical care is not available.

How does fistula occur?
During prolonged labor, the soft tissues of the pelvis are compressed between the descending baby’s head and the mother’s pelvic bone. The lack of blood flow causes tissue to die, creating a hole between the mother’s vagina and bladder (known as a vesicovaginal fistula), or between the vagina and rectum (causing a rectovaginal fistula) or both. The result is a leaking of urine or faeces or both.

Why does it occur?
Fistula occurs when emergency obstetric care is not available to women who develop complications during childbirth. This is why women living in remote rural areas with little access to medical care are at risk.
Poverty, malnutrition, poor health services, early childbearing and gender discrimination are interlinked root causes of obstetric fistula. Poverty is the main social risk factor because it is associated with early marriage and malnutrition and because poverty reduces a woman’s chances of getting timely obstetric care. Because of their low status in many communities, women often lack the power to choose when to start bearing children or where to give birth. Childbearing before the pelvis is fully developed, as well as malnutrition, small stature and general poor health, are contributing physiological factors to obstructed labour. Older women who have delivered many children are at risk as well.

Why do so few people know about fistula?
Fistula is a relatively hidden problem, largely because it affects the most marginalized members of society: young, poor, illiterate women in remote areas. Many never present themselves for treatment. Because they often suffer alone, their terrible injuries may be ignored or misunderstood. The Campaign to End Fistula is working to break the silence around this condition and the stigma attached to it.

What are the medical consequences of fistula?
Left untreated, fistula can lead to frequent ulcerations and infections, kidney disease and even death. Some women drink as little as possible to avoid leakage and become dehydrated. Damage to the nerves in the legs leaves some women with fistula unable to walk, and after treatment they may need extensive physical rehabilitation. These medical consequences, coupled with social and economic problems, often contribute to a general decline in health and well being that results in early death. Some commit suicide. However, many women with fistula are strong - as demonstrated by their having survived prolonged, traumatic labour - and they can live a long time. Some women have lived with the condition for 40 years or more!

Insurance – Friend or Foe
Blue Shield has both General and Life Insurance Products.  Mr. Ngatia gave us an overview of what insurance is about and why everyone should have some form of insurance.  We all found their medical insurance product, ‘Uzima Tele’ interesting.  Take a peak below.

Uzima Tele” is a Blue Shield Insurance medical product designed to suit the specific need of the Kenyan people. It is available at very affordable premiums with flexible monthly payments, and easy, cashless access to medical care at clinics and hospitals near you, countrywide.

Inpatient
The Blue Shield Insurance Inpatient cover caters for all hospitalization expenses for you and your family within the scope of the policy. Additionally, it provides the following:
•    Cover for the first ever emergency caesarian section operation, miscarriage or still birth.
•    Cover for funeral expenses, including mortuary fees, purchase of coffin and transportation of mortal remains.
•    Cover for pre and post hospitalization expenses.
•    Personal Accident Cover for the principal member only.
•    Cover for road ambulance in the case of emergency.
(Detailed exclusions are indicated in the policy document)

Outpatient

Illness strikes you or your loved ones when you least expect it, and more so when you have no money to pay for treatment. Uzima Akiba, is an outpatient savings plan that allows you cashless access to quality medical care up-front, while you save for any unseen need for treatment in affordable monthly installments. A capped medical savings account will be opened for you, and access provided to an agreed medical facility.

What’s more, this money belongs to you and can be carried over to the next policy year if you do not spend it. Maternity expenses can also be planned for you using your Uzima Akiba savings plan.  (Interesting)

What it offers:-
•    Easy access to healthcare countrywide.
•    Inpatient Healthcare plans for you and your family from Ksh 100,000 to 1,000,000.
•    Outpatient Savings Plan.
•    Personal Accident Cover.
•    Funeral expenses cover for mortuary fees, buying of coffin and transportation of body for burial

Website: www.blueshield.co.ke

Leadership covered by Mrs.Gloria Ndekei – ILO

We sought to find out whether we are good leaders in our businesses and what leadership qualities we need to adopt to become better leaders. If you attended the session you would be able to answer this, Do you have what it takes to be a good leader?

Thereafter we had the AGM and election of the new board.

• Ms Rita Ndonye    -    Chairperson
• Wanja M’Rithaa    -    Vice Chair Membership
• Julia Kibore        -    Vice Chair Programmes
• Trophie Muraya    -    Secretary
• Mary Kamanda    -    Treasurer
• Nellie Awendo    -    Head of Publicity and Newsletter Committee

Our June Speaker Session was facilitated by Ms Sarah Gitahi a financial planner with Serenity Solutions Ltd.

Financial Freedom is achieved when the passive income from your assets pays for your expenses and supports your desired lifestyle.

• Topic: Financial Success
• The session began with the group trying to define what financial success is.
• Conclusion: The process of achieving financial goals-Your business should help you achieve your financial goals and to live according to your desired lifestyle.

Importance of financial Planning.

• ·         It gives direction and meaning to your decisions
• ·         It shows you how each decision affects other areas of your finances
• ·         It directs your efforts
• ·         It helps you avoid financial disasters
• ·         It enables you to monitor progress
• ·         It enables you to be better placed to seize opportunities
• ·         It helps priorities your goals.

Points to Remember

1. Make SMART goals-where do you want to go?
2. Analyze your current position-Where are you?
3. How did you get there?

• ·         Through effective management
• ·         Risk management
• ·         Goal oriented  investing

Definition of financial freedom

When the passive income from your assets pays for your expenses and supports your desired lifestyle. To achieve this then you need to decide how much money you have to make.

Common Errors with money: General

• Failure to plan
• Investments not matched to to personal needs
• Not having adequate provision for inflation and taxes
• Unrealistic expectations
• Not factoring in appropriate elevels of risk
• Greed and haste
• Lack of financial education
• Procrastination-lost opportunities

Entrepreneurial

• Not providing adequately for ‘personal’ needs in the business plan
• Mixing ‘personal’ and ‘business’ money
• Not planning for business expansion

Finally

1. Increase your ability to earn by acquiring new skills
2. Be wholistic
3. Work on your business not just in it-develop systems to free you from being physically present for the business to urn smoothly.
4. Manage risk effectively  in your business
5. Invest in employees welfare
6. Invest  in your financial education
7. Read widely
8. Pay attention to economic news and trends

For more info:

www.serenitysolutions.co.ke
info@serenitysolutions.co.ke
Tel: 0722 832 279, (020) 20 50 254

Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) is the executive editor-in-chief of a book publishing company, Colden Books. All of her workers, including her assistant Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds), hate her, and she fires a senior editor, Bob Spaulding (Aasif Mandvi) because he is unable to get an author named Frank be interviewed by Oprah. After learning she is being deported to Canada, she forces Andrew to marry her, as his future is tied to hers. When the government investigates, Mr. Gilbertson (Denis O’Hare) informs them that they will undergo rigorous testing to prove that the marriage is not fraudulent. Andrew grudgingly accepts, under the condition that he is promoted to the position of editor and his manuscript be published. He also forces Margaret to propose nicely to him on her knees in the streets of New York, and to allow him to tell his parents they are getting married.

The two are forced to spend the weekend with his parents in Sitka, Alaska in order to sell the lie, where they will be attending the 90th birthday party of Andrew’s grandmother (Gammy) (Betty White). Margaret is very unreceptive of Alaska, and is furthermore shocked to learn that Andrew’s family owns most of the business in Sitka. They attend a surprise party for them, where Andrew catches up with his ex-girlfriend, Gertrude “Gert” (Malin Akerman). After he is humiliated by his father, Joe Paxton (Craig T. Nelson), Andrew announces that he and Margaret are getting married. They are forced to kiss, and do so passionately, showing the first signs of respect for one another. Andrew’s parents then show them their room, and Gammy gives them a special blanket (called baby-maker, which they avoid). Andrew and Margaret sleep separately - Andrew on the floor and Margaret in the bed.

The next morning, Margaret wakes to hear her phone ringing. After waking Andrew with her loud conversation, she goes outside; the family dog, Kevin, follows her and is swooped up by an eagle. She gets Kevin back, but the eagle instead takes her phone. Andrew, having seen the commotion, informs her that she, his mother Grace and Gammy are going shopping; the shopping actually proves to be a male strip show by Ramone. Margaret talks with Gert about Andrew, who tells her that they dated through college, and when Andrew asked her to elope with him, she didn’t want to go from her home, and said no. Margaret comes home and takes a shower, but finds no towels; when she goes to get one, she is stopped by Kevin. Meanwhile, Andrew confronts his father after he apologizes and asks him to take up the family business, telling him he’s happy in New York. He goes to the balcony of their room, stripping naked. Margaret, also naked, goes for a towel after distracting Kevin, only to run into Andrew. He sees her tattoo before going to take a shower. That night, Andrew and Margaret tell each other a little about their past, and find out they like the same band.

Next morning, Joe and Grace knock at the door with breakfast. Andrew and Margaret hurriedly get into bed, and the family suggest they could marry the same weekend, and they reluctantly accept. Andrew is stressed because the marriage is actually a sham, and Margaret tries to comfort him, finding herself genuinely caring for him. To sort out her emotions, she goes for a bike ride into the woods, where she finds Gammy “giving thanks”. Gammy invites her to join her, and they end up break dancing, while Andrew watches. Andrew takes her into Sitka, and she tries to contact New York. However, Gammy and Grace arrive and take Margaret to be fitted into a dress that Gammy’s great grandmother made, and a necklace that’s been in the Paxton family for generations. Deciding that she can’t do this to Andrew, she hijacks a boat and tries to explain, but she falls off after he takes the steering wheel. Andrew goes back for her, and they return to his house. Once there, they find that Joe has contacted Mr. Gilbertson, who asks them again to admit the sham. Andrew vehemently denies.

As the days so quickly fly by and the New Year 2009 is upon us, all of us at the OWIT Nairobi board want to send you our warmest wishes for the New Year. We also want to take this opportunity to express our gratitude for the wonderful support that all of you have given us, not only in this team, but in the past years that OWIT has operated in Kenya.

Specifically, I’d like to thank you for your support of the IDP’s through the purchase of sanitary towels and later in the year to Zabibu Girls Centre which also houses some IDP girls and provides education to girls with special needs in our society.

As we go into 2009, I’d like to encourage you to attend our monthly speakers sessions, held on the first Tuesday of every month, at a venue to be communicated later, as well as attend our social events, the first of which will be a family day out in February.

In the meantime, I hope that as you made your New Year resolutions, one of them was to get more plugged into our activities, an excellent way to network. We have several opportunities for volunteers and we would welcome your involvement.

From all of us to you, a wonderful New Year filled with joy, peace and God’s blessings.

Mwikali Matu
OWIT Nairobi Chairperson

Click here to download the Q1 2009 Member Update Newsletter

A warm welcome back to our quarterly newsletter. Its now back with a brand new layout. We look forward to many more. Do also take a moment to check out the past events, presentations and members directory online at www.owitnairobi.org

We take this opportunity to congratulate Joanne Mwangi our Vice Chair for being appointed Chairlady of the newly formed FEWA.

Enjoy reading & best regards,

Nellie Riunga,
Publicity Committee on behalf of Mwikali Matu, OWIT Nairobi Chairperson

Click here to download the Q4 2008 Member Update Newsletter