Giving Back
We appreciate the power of the community that allows the Lamu Yoga Festival to thrive — it would not be a successful project otherwise. We strive to do our part, and we ask you, our participants, to help. Please check out our four supported local initiatives, pick one (or more!), and help us Give Back by either donating directly to the organization or when you fill out your registration form.
Asante sana! Thank you!
Safari Doctors
Safari Doctors was founded in 2014 to support the provision of medical services and advance the health rights for Lamu’s indigenous people. The project entails mobilizing a crew of medical professionals to travel around the Lamu archipelago delivering health solutions to the isolated Aweer and Bajuni communities. Given the remoteness and the insecurities, Safari Doctors navigates these challenges by using a traditional dhow. This low technology traditional means is not only cost effective but also sustainable.
The project particularly benefits children and expectant mothers by easing the challenging journey and mobilizing health professionals to their vicinity on a reliable and sustainable basis.
We embark on monthly mobile clinics beginning by sail through Mtangawanda, Kiangwe, Ndau, Kiwayu and Mkokoni as per the needs identified in partnership with the Ministry of Health. This leg of the trip, covering almost 200 kilometers and a population of over 10,000 people, is travelled by sea, serving the villages along the shore. The journey is then set to continue by road to cover the villages on main land that include Mararani, Mangai, Basuba and Milimani. Taking full advantage of the current Ministry of Health structures with community health workers on the ground and nurses in various villages, the visits are organized with localized insight and precision.
Anidan
Anidan is a non-governmental development organisation founded by Rafael Selas Colorado to care for the needs of young children in Kenya. On the island of Lamu, off the northern coast, he has a Shelter where he houses over 140 children but feeds, dresses, cares for and educates around 250.
Since March 2008, in collaboration with the Pablo Horstmann Foundation, he runs a pediatric hospital which sees more than 17,000 patients a year in the hospital premises and thousands more in extended sanitary campaigns.
After a decade, our main efforts are devoted to helping the most vulnerable, the children. Being an indigent child, abandoned or orphan, being exposed to mistreatment or any illnesses impossible to be cured in their own environment, is enough reason for being taken in by Anidan. The most threatened come directly to our dormitories.
Most of the funding for the organization comes from Anidan Spain and its partner organizations: Pablo Horstmann Foundation and Anidan Italy.
We aim to ensure education, from kindergarten through secondary, college and superior studies.
Anidan also has a microcredit project for women that has empowered poor and destitute women to support themselves and their children.
Bright Girls Secondary School
Bright Girls Secondary School was established in Shela in 2010, with funds provided by the government, the community and other donors.
The high poverty index in the region often leads students to drop out due to lack of fees, and girls face additional challenges to staying in school, like early marriage.
In 2010 there were only eight students; by 2013, 135 girls sat for the national examinations. There are currently over 150 students that number is expected to rise with growing demand. Most of these girls come from poverty, often a distance from where the school is.
Banana House and Wellness Center & Hands Up for Kids have provided the girls with sanitary pads and yoga lessons, helping them stay healthy and focused on their studies.
To help, please bring sanitary pads to donate at the bazaar during the festival, or choose to add 500 KSH to your invoice for Bright Girls Secondary School during registration.
Lamu Community Yoga
We believe yoga should be accessible to everyone, so we are proud to support free community yoga classes. Africa Yoga Project teacher Paska Atim John teaches yoga to local adults and children in Lamu Town and Shela.
To help sustain the effort, we are using 250 KSH from each ticket toward supporting the teacher. With your help, we hope to fund the initiative for a full year.
To support, you can choose to donate 500 KHS (less than the price of one yoga class in Nairobi) on your registration form.
Lamu Yoga Festival partners
