Beyond Zero campaign set to receive Sh200m from First Ladies' forum in US

Kenya's First Lady Margaret Kenyatta addresses participants during the International Women's Day celebrations at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Nairobi on March 8, 2016. PHOTO | PSCU

What you need to know:

  • A communiqué from the institution said a VIP reception to welcome Mrs Kenyatta will coincide with the 2016 First Ladies Luncheon, which will offer support to deliver much-needed medical relief to the people of Kenya.
  • Mrs Kenyatta will work with Project CURE to select healthcare facilities where the supplies and equipment are most needed in Kenya.

Kenya’s First Lady Margaret Kenyatta will pitch for a Sh200 million kitty for her Beyond Zero campaign when she attends this year’s Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM) in America this Thursday.

A communiqué from the institution said a VIP reception to welcome Mrs Kenyatta will coincide with the 2016 First Ladies Luncheon, which will offer support to deliver much-needed medical relief to the people of Kenya.

“This fundraising initiative is projected to deliver more than Sh200 million in desperately needed medical relief to vulnerable communities in Kenya and 100 per cent of all funds raised will be committed to improving maternal and child health, as well as decreasing maternal mortality, the second leading cause of death in Kenya,” it said.

Established in 2006, Project CURE’s First Ladies Luncheon is a major fundraising event that helps showcase the humanitarian efforts of First Ladies from around the world.

This annual event has resulted in the delivery of more than Sh1.7 billion in medical relief to developing countries.

SCNM — who are sponsoring the VIP reception where Mrs Kenyatta and event chair Mrs Cindy McCain will join VIP guests — will kick off the First Ladies Initiative to help raise awareness of global healthcare need and particularly those in Kenya.

Mrs Kenyatta will work with Project CURE to select healthcare facilities where the supplies and equipment are most needed in Kenya.

The Thursday evening event at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, Arizona will also get a chance to hear Mrs Kenyatta’s exploits on the marathon track, raising funds for purchase of fully equipped mobile clinics.

SCNM trains future physicians to focus on prevention, wellness and lifestyle changes, which addresses the root cause of the majority of the problems plaguing people across the world.