Founded in 1988 by the late Robert Hoey, World Youth International (WYI) is one of Australia's leading not-for profit international development organisations and signatory to the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID).

What do we do?

With a head office located in Adelaide, the organisation has facilitated meaningful volunteering opportunities for more than 3,000 Australians of all ages, working in some of the world's poorest communities for more than 24 years. At the very heart of WYI's mission is a commitment to community-led, sustainable development projects. We have also taken on a number of major projects including the building of a school in Nepal, children's homes in Kenya and Nepal, and most recently a brand new hospital in Western Kenya.

The Odede Hospital, Kenya

In March 2013, WYI in partnership with the Odede community opened a brand new community hospital in Western Kenya - 'The Mama Ann's Odede Health Centre.'

Situated on the banks of Lake Victoria, much of the Odede population are rural, subsistence farmers living in extreme poverty (less than $2.50 per day). The communities have limited access to basic infrastructure and services such as health and education.

Why a Hospital?

The district is home to some of the highest HIV/AIDS rates in the country, with an estimated one in four people living with HIV - four times the national rate.

Maternal and infant mortality rates are also unacceptably high, with an estimated 55 out of every 1000 babies dying before their first birthday each year (WHO 2010). Many of these children are dying from malaria and other preventable illnesses like diarrhea.

Up until now the nearest hospitals have been around two hours drive away. Local people are often unable to afford the transport costs to these facilities, nor are they able to walk for several hours to reach emergency assistance. Many pregnant women give birth in their own homes without a skilled birth attendant, often leading to easily avoidable and sometimes fatal complications such as hemorrhage, fistulas and other infections.

What does the hospital do?

The hospital provides a range of services including: Maternal health services to expectant and nursing mothers; Immunisations (post and pre natal); reproductive health services; HIV/AIDS-related care and counselling services; Laboratory testing and Pharmacy; Public health campaigns (hygiene and sanitation) and community outreach (home visits).

The Hospital is staffed entirely by local Kenyan Health professionals and is currently treating around 40 patients per day. Demand for services is increasing every week.

WYI also offers a specialised Nursing program for Australian volunteers (Nurses in Action) to travel to Kenya which is is not only a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the volunteers, but is also critical in helping to build the capacity of local staff.  

However, WYI is a small Australian NGO that relies on the generosity of our supporters, we desperately need your help!

What can you do?

1. Lend your skills and expertise
Skilled health professionals including nurses and midwives can take part in our specialised volunteer Nurses in Action program, or we can tailor programs tailored to suit individual/group timeframes and expertise.

2. Support the provision of hospital and medical supplies.

• $5 per month will provide life saving medications.
• $10 per month will provide critical medical consumables like gloves, syringes and implements.
• $50 per month will help purchase life saving birthing and delivery kits.

3. Sponsor a local staff salary

• $65 per month will support a local cook to provide an education for her children.
• $70 per month will support a local security guard.
• $320 per month will support a fully qualified nurse.
• $380 per month will support the head doctor.

4. Help us continue further capital works
Demand for services is already huge, and the building will need to expand in order to accommodate more patients and services. Why not sponsor the construction of a children's wing, operating room or delivery unit? You could even gain naming rights and have a building named after you or your company!

5. Provide a capital injection for income generating projects
Help the hospital become fully self sustainable by supporting its various income generating activities including millet farming, chicken farming, goat breeding. While supporting the hospital to become sustainable, you will also be providing local people with a basic source of income.  The investment that keeps on giving!

6. Purchase smaller, one-off Hospital gifts from our WYI Gift Catalogue

How will the funds be used?

90% of all funds will be transferred directly to the Hospital in Kenya. 10% is retained by WYI Australia for Administration and Bank Fees.