The Centres for Health and Education Programmes (CHEPs) is a registered Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in Kenya. Its goal is to empower, promote access and improve quality of health and education for the benefit of under resourced individuals and communities.

 

CHEPs runs multiple projects all over Kenya, under its six pillars namely Healthcare, Education Agriculture, Environment, Development and Humanitarian relief. The goal of CHEPs’ education programmes to improve access & quality of education among needy people in Kenya. The programmes include students’ sponsorship, student community projects, books distribution to schools, provision of solar lights to deserving students in remote areas without electricity, setting up of libraries in schools, establishment of student mentorship centres, organising conferences and workshops for students, digging of wells in schools lacking water supply, and advocacy through media, scientific publication and conference presentations.

 

CHEPs successfully held its first conference on 1st and 2nd of March 2014, at Nairobi Jaffery Sports Club.  The theme was “Education and Community Development”. The conference was attended by over 30 people including CHEPs sponsored students, academicians from various Universities in Nairobi, senior managers of NGOs, CHEPs sponsorship alumni, CHEPs members and other members of public. Officially opened by Professor Charles Omwandho, the Dean of Medicine, University of Nairobi, the conference included sessions for oral presentations, poster presentations, keynote presentations and workshops to train students on formal and scientific writing as well as conference presentation skills.

 

Also gracing the event were Professor Mohammed Karama of Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Mr. Mohammed Abdinoor of Catholic Relief Services, Dr. Steve Nigel, founding Chairman of Medical Society for Action, Dr. Duncan Matheka, African representative of Young professionals Chronic Disease Network, Miss Sophie Lo an expert of diplomacy and international relations from Paris, France, Mr Taseer Firoz representative of Muslim Students Association of University of Nairobi, among others. All the guests were inspired by CHEPs activities and were eager for long-term collaboration.

 

The conference provided a platform for the presentation and discussion on various projects undertaken by CHEPs sponsored students.  Ideas were generated for viable community service projects. Furthermore, discussions were held with representatives of various organizations to explore possibilities of partnership and collaborations.

 

Prof. Charles Omwandho appreciated the conference and advised the students to be humble and focus on community service as they worked hard with their studies. Prof. Karama spoke on the importance of education, and encouraged the students to strive to excel beyond their core education, aim to network and uplift themselves and their communities. Dr. Nigel emphasized the importance of community service and demonstrated the high potential of major impact giving his NGO as an example. Dr. Duncan Matheka made a presentation on the role of young professionals in development and demonstrated the capability of youth in positively changing societies. Miss Sophie Lo shared her experiences in community service, and requested to be involved in future CHEPs activities.

 

Dr. Muhsin Sheriff, CEO of CHEPs, outlined the various community projects undertaken by the students and encouraged the students to excel in their studies as well as develop an attitude of service to others deprived of basic needs. He expressed hope that the students will go on to be ambassadors of the CHEPs’ aim of community service for humanity.

 

More than ten (10) oral presentations were made on a variety of interesting community projects undertaken by the CHEPs students. 

 

Full Report:

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 View the video: https://www.youtube.com/embed/FG9wK1RbXXg .