This Eastern Deanery Nairobi program is a response of the Archdiocese to the medical, psychological, social, spiritual and educational issues of AIDS among people living on the eastern side of the city of Nairobi. It works with an estimated population in excess of one million people and with some of the largest slums in the city. Eighteen parishes and institutions are involved in the program. The services are provided freely to all people regardless of race, creed or gender.

The following people are among those served: The poor in the slums, late primary, secondary schools, university students and youth in the parishes, adults residing within the Estates. Some of the goals are:

• To develop a comprehensive health care system by training volunteers to visit, care for and support people with AIDS. They offer home-based care until death for all patients.

• Increased awareness of AIDS for students, youth and adults through seminars.

• Development of Behavior change programs and peer counselors for the youth.

• Development of strategy for the children of those suffering with AIDS. The free provision of basic medicine, food, and home nursing materials for the poor with AIDS.

• The setup of support groups for PWA's and opportunities for them to learn new skills to earn income.

• Education of relatives on home nursing care.

• Establishing counseling programs.

The Chairperson of this program is Fr. Ed Phillips. The program began in 1994. Since the program began Ed has had abstracts accepted for presentations at four international meetings in Nairobi, Amsterdam, Boston and Geneva. Last year he gave a presentation at the 12th International Congress on AIDS in Geneva. He also represented the Kenya Episcopal Conference at the first meeting of Religion and AIDS held in Dakar, Senegal. He was appointed recently to a steering committee on AIDS at the Vatican and attended the first meeting there in December of 98.The program is probably the largest community-based holistic care program in Kenya. Since 1994 they have cared for more than 5,300 patients. In 1998 they had over 1600 new patients enter the program, the majority of whom are from the targeted area of the slums.

The coordinator of the program is Mrs. Alice Njoroge who is responsible for the day to day operation of services and is a major factor in the program's success. As he did last year, Ed Phillips will organize another training workshop this year, for a small select group of people sent to Nairobi through the International Red Cross Geneva.

Find out more about Maryknoll's AIDS ministries in Africa

Read about Ed's Ministry in the News

Ed's Ministry as Reported in Maryknoll Magazine

Ed's Biography                     Ed's Education Ministry

     View the Christ the Teacher Church Dedication Photo Album    

Maryknollers in Nairobi, Kenya