Imbako Foundation (Imbako Public Health), a non-profit organization is set to commence the roll-out of a new organization structure. Based in Alpharetta, Georgia and Kitale, Kenya, the organization’s current initiatives are in the distinct areas of Healthcare, Education and Environment. The new structure will include the addition of branches headed by team leads who will drive identified initiatives and tangible impact within the branches. These branches include Imbako KIDS, Imbako ARTS& DESIGN, Imbako STEM, and Imbako MISSION TRIPS. Additionally, in the new structure Imbako directors will now also serve alongside a second Board of Directors in the USA and a student Board of Directors.

This team of diverse, amazing individuals stand to support the worthy cause of building a community center in Kitale, Kenya. If you look and listen, we are sure you can relate to at least one of them... * Mrs. Judith Okech, Registered Nurse, & Founder of Imbako Public Health/Imbako Foundation. * Kira Castro, an architect from Brazil * Joyce Amilcar, an entrepreneur, mother and non-profit founder. Originally from Haiti, resided in Florida and based in Georgia * Patrick Kasibante, an entertainer from Uganda, based in Georgia * Bridget Kasibante, a registered nurse and mother from Uganda, currently based in Milton, Georgia * The beautiful Gabrielle Parks, a graduate student in physical therapy * The eloquent Amaya Grant, you tuber and elementary school student * Christopher Hufton, Georgia Tech graduate, youth and young-adult pastor of local church in Rowell, Georgia * Irene Okech Hufton, researcher in health policy and Founder of Imbako Public Health/ Imbako Foundation.

The association of the education of a mother and the health of their child continues to be investigated. Several studies have shown various relationships that tie in the level of education and child health. As a contribution to policy, the Department of Research & Policy at Imbako Public Health researched on this issue in Kenya. Collaborative research on the education level of mothers and immunization status of children in Kenya, led to findings which indicated a mother’s education as a significant marker of child immunization status and consequently child health.....

Bridget Kasibante, a mummy and RN by profession stands with Imbako towards the building of the Imbako Public Health Community and Research Center. A Ugandan citizen and current resident of the USA, Bridget says “…. Having Lived in Uganda for a long time, I have seen mothers who live in the villages, struggle to survive and fend for their children. Many times, these mothers are hopeless (as there is a dearth of resources). But this organization, Imbako is giving hope back, it is restoring hope to those in the villages….”

“What they are trying to accomplish in rural Kenya is very commendable and is needed in the community!” Pastor Christopher Hufton of Roswell, Georgia passionately supports the work of Imbako Foundation in rural Kenya. A Georgia Tech graduate and currently youth pastor, Christopher has a background in construction and reiterates the importance of having a standing facility as a place of safety, training, learning and consequently empowerment. As a youth pastor, he advocates for the support and empowerment of youth. He says “We know how important is to have a facility for people to feel safe in, to learn and grow in. …The dream of having a center for the community to be used as a center point for training, learning and empowering people is so critical. However, it is only possible when people choose to rally behind and support the foundation. People like you!”

You meet Patrick and within minutes you are either rolling on the floor in laughter or opening your eyes wide at something he just said! A Ugandan citizen and current resident in the USA, Patrick is an entertainer by profession and a great one at that! We met Patrick in 2014 in Roswell, Georgia and since then, had looked forward to a chance to work with him. It was an honor for him to share his knowledge on gender hierarchy in Africa and endorse the noble cause that Imbako Foundation is undertaking! “Any organization that will come up with a way to empower women is of major importance in terms of uplifting the society in Africa.” Donate via GoFundme link at:https://www.gofundme.com/imbakocomm-center

Amaya says : As a child living in the USA, I have so many great resources; I get to go to the library & to do activities. But other kids in (rural) Kenya, they cant get to do the stuff that I get to do; they can't go to the library or do activities. But thanks to Imbako, they are building a community center for them! So support Imbako! Thanks for listening !

Ms. Joyce Amilcar talks about her support towards the building of a community center in rural Kenya! A successful sales & marketing executive, Joyce passionately states her appreciation for the cause! To support this cause, please see donation link via go-fund me here https://www.gofundme.com/imbakocomm-center, share this video or mail donations to 48 Old Roswell Street, Alpharetta GA, 30009. Thank you! Asante!

Kenya is a blessed country. She has a wealth of natural resources, skills, gifted and talented individuals; hardworking men and women filled with ideas and dreams of an even more beautiful Kenya for their offspring. Great strides have been made toward the healthcare, medical, bio-medical, and public health infrastructure in Kenya. Much appreciation is raised to, and for all the new private practices, hospitals, research and healthcare facilities that have facilitated better quality healthcare. Kudos is given to the increasing use of mobile phone technology for healthcare access in several pockets of the country. Much gratitude is also raised to leaders who have enabled local and international affiliations in various healthcare settings. See, these are the stories we hear, and those that we take pride in. We, as Kenyan citizens, or those who hold dual citizenship, or the wealthy that live in the Kenyan suburbs, or the employed, whose organizations afford us health insurance, or the relatives of those who work in the healthcare industry. After all, (we) are the people who matter…Right? But, what about those Kenyans resident in rural areas? Those who are unemployed? Or the small business owner working hard to support his family and cannot afford healthcare insurance in Kenya? What about the aging population? What about the uninsured? What about the girls and women who cannot afford annual obstetric and gynecologic examinations? What about those to whom basic sanitation, immunization, vaccination, diet, health & education are not available? Who speaks for /on behalf of these people? Who are they anyway? Do they even matter? So, some random thoughts…

Yes! And so this happened…  So excited that Beta Alpha Psi, Beta Mu Chapter of Georgia State University, presented a $15,000 check to Imbako public health, towards the Global Impact Project (GIP). It is incredible to work beside and alongside this team of individuals who go above and beyond to allay disparities in access to education faced by the girl-child in rural Kenya. Founded in 2009 as a collaboration of Georgia State University’s J.Mack Robinson College of Business and Imbako Public Health, The Global Impact Project is an initiative that allays disparities in access to education faced by the gild child in rural Kenya, by the provision of academic scholarships. The scholarships availed cover the full academic tuition for the scholars selected and provide a stipend for books. As of 2015, under the Global Impact Project, 20 girls from rural Kenya have been availed academic scholarships!

The department of Research & Policy at Imbako Public Health continues to contribute towards health policy. Collaborative research on the education level of mothers and immunization status of children in Kenya, led to findings which indicate a mother’s education as a significant marker of child immunization status and consequently child health. The goal of the United Nations Millennium Development Goal 4 #MDG4 is to reduce by two thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate. Currently, despite determined global progress in reducing child deaths, an increasing proportion of child deaths are in sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia. Four out of every five deaths of children under age five occur in these regions.

In October 2014, Imbako co-founder Dr. Irene Okech was invited to speak at her alma mater; University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health. The speech entitled “PhD the atypical path followed?” conveyed to those present the unique pathways individuals face towards the application to and journey through the PhD program. Emphasizing the benefits of the atypical pathways that individuals take towards a PhD, the speech also highlighted various doctoral career pathways and varied local and international opportunities in the field of public health.

By carrying out research, Imbako’s purpose is to build sustainable initiatives that engender the well-being of vulnerable populations; and provide a long-lasting impact that will influence public health policy. Under IMBAKO’s department of research and policy, Dr. Okech collaborated with colleagues from Winston Salem University; Dr. Onsomu (Research lead), University of North Carolina; Dr. Rosen & Dr. Duren-Winfield, the African Population & Health Research Center; Dr. Abuya, and University of South Carolina; Amber Simmons, on a study titled “Association between domestic violence and HIV Serostatus among married and formerly married women in Kenya.” The study found that Efforts by the government and women's groups to monitor and improve policies to reduce domestic violence, such as the Sexual Offences Act of 2006, are urgently needed to curb HIV, as are policies that seek to provide domestic violence counseling and treatment to married and formerly married women.