Vutakaka Hosts World Population Day

In 1968, World leaders proclaimed that every individual has the basic right to decide freely and responsibly the number and timing of their children. But since then, lack of access to information, and social and religious pressures have prevented the realization of this right for hundreds of millions of women. World Population Day exists to recognize, reaffirm, and celebrate the right to plan your family. On this day each year, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) offices throughout the world enlist the help of local organizations to promote awareness of family planning. This year the East African Center’s (EAC) Vutakaka school grounds in Takaungu was chosen as the site for the World Population Day celebration.

Family planning is a major issue in Takaungu and the surrounding area. Religious and traditional beliefs put pressure on families to grow large, creating strains on the overall health and educational and economic opportunities for the family. The event was attended by hundreds of residents from the community, local chiefs, and district officers.

Vutakaka staff and volunteers, with administrative help from Germany-based health group DSW, the Maria Stopes organization, and the Takaungu public dispensary staff, assisted women seeking family planning counseling. Another 445 individuals were treated for general health issues, and 26 people took part in Voluntary Counseling and Testing for HIV/AIDS (VCT). UNFPA also provided free anti-malaria drugs, anti-biotics, and contraceptives which were administered throughout the day. Acrobats, actors, dancers, and musicians also performed to entertain and educate the crowd.

The EAC is honored to have been chosen for this event and grateful to help promote the right to family planning and health in Takaungu! For more photos, visit the World Population Day photo album. Learn more about UNFPA and World Population Day.

Becoming a sponsor

Dear Future Sponsor:

We are so glad you have decided to join our efforts in providing a better life through education and community development in Eastern Kenya! Student sponsors will receive personal email and post mail updates and photos with information about the individual student they are sponsoring. These updates will include a picture at least once a year as well as health and academic evaluations of the students. Sponsors will also be able to follow along with the activities at Vutakaka on the school's blog and have access to the Vutakaka photo albums both which are updated regularly.

We realize how important it is for sponsors to keep in touch with the students and make every effort to communicate with sponsors throughout the year. If you feel a special connection with one of the students, for instance if they are a Girl Scout and so is your daughter, please indicate to us that you would like to receive information about that specific student (or those specific students if you are sponsoring more than one student).

Thank you for making this effort! Your support is appreciated by those of us at the EAC and invaluable to the students of Vutakaka.

There are 3 ways to become a sponsor of a student at Vutakaka:

Please choose between a monthly donation of $23.75, a yearly donation of $285, or a one-time donation of $285 to sponsor a student.

1. Donate online
   
2. Print, fill out and mail the sponsor form below
3. Call 425-681-2459 to pay by phone

Please feel free to email us at sponsor@eastafricancenter.org with any questions!

PAYMENT FORM:

If sponsoring by mail, print and fill out this form, address envelope to EAC at PO Box 95703 Seattle, WA 98145. If paying by check or money order, enclose payment with payment form. (no form is needed when completing sponsorship online).

NUMBER OF STUDENTS TO RECEIVE YOUR SPONSORSHIP

I would like to sponsor _______ student(s) by donating $285 each year for _____ year(s)

I would like to sponsor _______ student(s) by donating $23.75 each month for _____ year(s)

SPONSOR INFORMATION

Name________________________ Phone_____________________

Email__________________________Address_____________________________

DETAILS

Do you want to receive more information, pictures & correspondence from your child or children as the school year progresses?

YES____ NO_____

Would you like your sponsorship to automatically renew year to year?

YES____ NO____

Would you like to sponsor a specific student?

YES____ (indicate name(s) below and we will send you information about the student(s) you have listed) NO____ (we will send you information about the individual student your money is sponsoring)

_________________________ _______________________ ________________________

SELECT YOUR METHOD OF PAYMENT

Check or money order: ­­­­____ Credit Card: ___

Type of Credit Card: ____________________

Credit Card Number: _____________________________

Expiration Date: ___/___ Sec Code: _______

Signature: _______________________________

PLEASE CALL US WITH ANY QUESTIONS or to give your payment details over the phone: 425-681-2459