In the UK cervical cancer is the 13th most frequently occurring cancer, with mortality rates under 1,000 a year. Thanks to an extensive screening programme and recently introduced vaccination, this is a cancer that we can see an end to in the UK.

By contrast in Ghana cervical cancer is the most frequently occurring cancer among

March 2012

AfriKids is a Child Rights Organisation working to improve life for Ghana’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged children in a holistic, inclusive and sustainable manner

women and thousands die from it each year. There are no nationwide screening or treatment programmes and none at all in the Upper East Region (UER).

With your help, AfriKids has the opportunity to introduce a screening programme that will finally help bring some of the benefits of cervical cancer prevention to the women of the UER.

This month we celebrate International Women’s Day and Mothers’ Day. If everyone who

reads this newsletter gives £5 we can make this year’s celebrations truly remarkable by introducing the UER’s first cervical cancer screening service.

If you can, please text ‘AFMD01 £5’ to 70070.

To read more about this project please turn over.

MOTHER’S DAY SPECIALHelp us start the first cervial cancer screening programme in the Upper East Region

PROJECT FOCUSCervical screening at the AfriKids Medical CentreThe AfriKids Medical Centre is AfriKids’ most established sustainability business, treating up to 50,000 people a year and providing vital hospital services to Bolgatanga’s community. The focus of the last five years since AfriKids bought what was at the time a small sleepy clinic, has been to bring the centre up to hospital status.

Now that this has achieved this, it is beginning to provide specialist women and children’s services. With a dedicated reproductive health unit and excellent paediatric training support from the GAS partnership, the AfriKids Medical Centre is well placed to become the first provider of cervical cancer screening in the area.

AfriKids AcademyAfriKids Eco VillageAfriKids Ethical TradeAfriKids Medical CentreBolga Area ProgrammeEducational fundKassena Nankana Area ProgrammeMedical fundOperation BolgaOperation Mango TreeOperation SINGhOperation SmilesOperation ZuarunguStreet Mothers AssociationTalensi Nabdam Area ProgrammeYoung Entrepreneurs

This service will be run at the AfriKids Medical Centre using straightforward existing screening methods and provide cryotherapy treatment to women diagnosed as carrying the Human Papilloma virus that can lead to cervical cancer, thereby preventing the needless deaths occurring with far too great a frequency in the region’s hospitals.

We try not to ask you all to give too often in this newsletter, but this is a truly unique opportunity for just £5 each to save lives, please do give.

If you wish to help you can send cheques made payable to AfriKids to 21 Southampton Row, Holborn, London, WC1B 5HA or transfer a donation to our account (Sort Code 30-96-38 Account Number: 01680392) and let us know by email:joannastewart@afrikids.org

“I am so frustrated by the number of women with cervical cancer who end up in my

theatre beyond help. This is totally preventable but so far we have been unable to introduce a comprehensive solution in Ghana. I want us to act now and save women’s lives in the Upper East Region.”Dr Baffoe, Consultant Gynaecologist and Medical Director Bolgatanga Regional Hospital

Text ‘AFMD01 £5’ to 70070

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01: Patient folders at the AfriKids Medical Centre

02: Matron of the AfriKids Medical Centre

03: The laboratory at the AfriKids Medical Centre

04: Ultra sound at the AfriKids Medical Centre

05: A mother and her children going to the AfriKids Medical Centre

06: A mother and child waiting to be seen by a doctor

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AfriKids posted a new album‘A few snippets from the latest Ghana trip’

Edward Starr Trust Excellent morning with the students @Varndeanschool, their #mentors from @edfenergycomms & Ama from @AfriKids - the debates were fab #CHOCS

29 Feb

AfriKidsDoes your company have a Charity of the Year scheme? Are they searching for a hard working, innovative, award winning, international charity? Well if so... you know it, let us know so that we can get involved!

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24 Feb

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3 Feb

AfriKids Ethical Trade is making its presence!Shea mooti provide skincare for mothers and babies, made from shea butter provided by AfriKids Ethical Trade. It is produced in northern Ghana by the self titled ‘AfriKids’ Daughters’ a collective of women’s co-operatives who through dignified income generating activities have become self-sufficient and able to secure the futures of their own families.

With International Women’s Day just gone and Mother’s Day coming up, Shea Mooti have a lovely description and summary of ethical shea butter production on their website...

Shea butter, also known as karite butter, is a cream-coloured fatty substance made from the nuts of karite nut tree or “the tree of life”(also called Mangifolia trees) that grow in the savannah regions of West and Central Africa. Karite trees, or shea trees, are not cultivated. They grow only in the wild, and can take up to 50 years to mature. In most parts of West Africa, destruction of the Shea tree is prohibited because this little nut provides a valuable source of food, medicine and income for the population. In fact, shea butter is sometimes referred to as “women’s gold” in Africa, because so many women are employed in the production of Shea butter.

AfriKids is now able to stock products from Shea Mooti and all these are listed on the next page. A perfect gift for mother’s day!

AfriKids Shop Online

MOTHER’S DAY AT AFRIKIDS

www.afrikids.org

AfriKids is delighted to now be selling Shea Mooti’s range of products. If you haven’t already got your Mother’s Day present sorted then take a look at the products and follow the link to buy them!

This is a non greasy skin conditioning oil that is loaded with Omega 3, 6, 9 enriched oils especially formulated for use before, during and beyond pregnancy. Regular use of the Belly rub oil helps to prevent stretch marks, maintain supple skin and optimum elasticity and promote growth through out the coming months.

This natural moisturising Soap is handmade using the traditional cold-process method incorporating Fair-trade oils. Ethically sourced virgin Shea Butter to enrich and soften delicate skin. 100g.

This soap is suitable for: baby, Mama and Papa.

Our natural moisturising Soap is handmade using the traditional cold-process method incorporating Fair-trade oils. Ethically sourced virgin Shea Butter to enrich and soften skin. 100g.

This soap is beneficial for cleansing and moisturising all skin types.

A set of lovely products for the mum-to-be to begin their journey to gorgeous skin!

Contains: Mama’s Belly Rub Stretch Mark Oil (100ml), Mama’s Organic Lavender Soap (100g), Mama’s Soothing Leg and Foot Cream(100ml)

Therapy for those hard working legs!

This luxurious foot and leg conditioning cream contains anti-inflammatory Aloe Vera to sooth and cool your feet providing instant relief; Shea butter to soften and rehydrate; Niaouli oil which has antiseptic properties and is stimulating and uplifting.

BABY’S PURE SHEA BUTTER SOAP£4.99

MAMA’S NEW BEGINNNGS GIFT SET£34.00

MAMA’S ORGANIC LAVENDER SOAP£5.99

MAMA’S BELLY RUB STRETCH MARK OIL£14.00

MAMA’S SOOTHING LEG AND FOOT CREAM£12.99

VISIT THE AFRIKIDS SHOP TO PURCHASE THE PERFECT MOTHER’S DAY GIFT