MRA is a 501c 3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the health and quality of life of families living in sub-Saharan Africa . MRA begun operations in Kenya in 2002. Initially, through their Medical Supplies and Equipment Relief program (MS+ER), MRA mainly concentrated on rehabilitating local hospitals by providing medical supplies and technical assistance to improve health and quality of life of Kenyan communities. Over the years, MRA based in New York City has developed a network of partnerships with US and Kenyan based hospitals, corporations, airlines and a multitude of professionals who volunteer their skills to the organization. Through these partnerships, MRA has sent numerous consignments of medical supplies and equipment to Kenya.
In the course of running the medical relief program, MRA became aware that many people in the communities they operate in were unaware of their HIV status mainly due to cultural and/or economic reasons. MRA then launched the Community Health Outreach program that coordinates a collaborative effort between local healthcare providers and the community members to enhance: voluntary HIV testing and counseling campaigns, and operates general health fares and mobile wellness clinics, medical missions geared towards other public health initiatives.
Meanwhile, in response to the unprecedented socioeconomic need that MRA was confronted with in Kenya due to HIV/AIDS pandemic, they further expanded programming in 2004. Goat Hope was established as a microenterprise that aims to support the economic and nutritional needs of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).
THEIR WORK
In order to improve the health and economic wellbeing of families in Sub-Saharan Africa, beginning with Kenya, MRA operates a threefold program model: Medical Supplies and Equipment Relief Program is designed to meet critical health needs of impoverished communities afflicted with HIV/AIDS in rural Kenya through strengthening the capacity of local healthcare institutions. MRA accomplishes this goal through mobilizing and leveraging resources from governments, communities, hospitals, partners and individuals with an aim of enhancing sustainable and cost-effective approaches to saving lives.
Medical Supplies & Equipment Relief (MS+ER)
Has delivered items worth over $500,000 to Kenyan clinics that are heavily impacted with the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The core objective of MS+ER is to respond quickly, efficiently and cost effectively to health needs, particularly HIV/AIDS, in Sub-Sahara Africa. They work to meet critical health needs of impoverished communities through mobilizing and leveraging resources from governments, communities, hospitals and individuals with the aim of enhancing sustainable and cost-effective approaches to saving lives.
Goat Hope
Over 300 goats have been gifted to families afflicted with HIV/AIDS in rural Kenya. Hundreds of children, women and men have benefitted from their microenterprise program which focusses on redressing the economic and health challenges HIV/AIDS poses on rural communities.
Community Health Outreach
Promotes HIV/AIDS prevention through public health awareness campaigns. This program utilizes evidence based Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT's) approaches to reduce infection rates among ruraldwellers in Kenya. Each year MRA screeens hundreds of individuals.
