March 2008, Bethany, CT - American Friends of Le Kinkeliba is delighted to announce receipt of a generous grant from The Popli Khalatbari Charitable Foundation.

Founded in 1998, The Popli Khalatbari Charitable Foundation?s (PKCF) mission is to support charitable purposes worldwide, in particular the education and welfare of children and young persons who ,by reason of disablement, social and economic circumstances, have need of such provisions. It is in this capacity that PKCF has given considerable support to be directed towards the construction of a new Le Kinkeliba kindergarten in the village of Sinthian, Senegal.

Le Kinkeliba built its first medical center in Sinthian in 1998 and has remained deeply commitment to the long-term health and educational welfare of the community. This new kindergarten will serve this vibrant and enthusiastic population, which is well versed in the operation of Le Kinkeliba and deeply in need of an early childhood education facility. Construction of the new Sinthian kindergarten is slated to begin this fall (late October ? early November 2008) to coincide with the end of the rainy season.

American Friends of Le Kinkeliba extends its genuine thanks to The Popli Khalatbari Charitable Foundation for its continued belief in the value of our projects in Senegal. More information about The Popli Khalatbari Charitable Foundation is available at www.pkcf.com.

January 2008, Bethany, CT - Le Kinkeliba Co-Founder Dr. Bernard Rouveix to Become New President of Le Kinkeliba.

January 2008, Bethany, CT - Dr. Gilles Degois, the Co-Founder and President of Le Kinkeliba has retired as its President. As of January 1, 2008, the role of President has been filled by Dr. Degois's fellow Co-Founder, Dr. Bernard Rouveix. Dr Rouveix, a Paris-based infectious diseases specialist, steps naturally into this new role, having been involved with Le Kinkeliba since its inception. Dr. Degois continues his affiliation with Le Kinkeliba as its Honorary Chairman, working in an advisory capacity to promote Le Kinkeliba's activities.

Of his new role, Dr. Rouveix said: "Le Kinkeliba continues to be a driving force in the improvement of life in Eastern Senegal and it is my humble honor to be able to carry this tradition forward."

For articles about this development by Dr. Degois click here and Dr. Rouveix click here from the recent January 2008 Le Kinkeliba newsletter.

Read the complete January 2008 Le Kinkeliba newsletter by clicking here.

January 2008, Bethany, CT - American Friends of Le Kinkeliba Submits Letter to the Editor of the New York Times.

On January 1, 2008, American Friends of Le Kinkeliba submitted a Letter to the Editor of The New York Times in response to an Op-Ed piece that appeared that day by Daniel Halperin entitled "Putting a Plague in Perspective." The text of our letter follows. Mr. Halperin's essay is accessible at www.nytimes.com.

January 1st, 2008
The New York Times
To the Editor,

Daniel Halperin's Op-Ed "Putting a Plague in Perspective" brings to very welcome light the multiple health problems confronting Africa and, in particular, Senegal.

Our organization, American Friends of Le Kinkeliba, is proof that it does not take great amounts of money to make an extraordinary difference in this domain. We exist to assist the French-based non-profit Le Kinkeliba, which builds and operates clean, modern medical centers, as well as kindergartens and other educational facilities, in remote areas of the Senegalese bush country. It provides life-saving services to entire communities where medical facilities and preventive health programs were previously non-existent. Le Kinkeliba has responded with amazing effectiveness to the urgent need for quality pre- and post-natal care to young mothers and their babies, and has succeeded in reducing mortality while helping prevent the spread of all diseases, not just "the big three."

Sometimes it takes nothing more than arriving with a duffel bag full of antibiotics to save human lives. By being directly involved with a small handful of villages where Le Kinkeliba is happily integrated into the communities, the organization is stunningly effective.

If some of the global funding now directed elsewhere were used instead to improve basic medical services and sanitary conditions, to eliminate malnutrition and to promote health education for children and adults alike, a vast number of underserved African citizens would benefit immeasurably. Through private donations, we have made a start in that effort, and are proof that effective solutions exist.

Sincerely,
Nicholas Fox Weber, President
Anne Barker, Director
The American Friends of Le Kinkeliba

December 2007, Bethany, CT - American Friends of Le Kinkeliba is pleased to announce the nomination of Le Kinkeliba for the 2008 Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize.

Established by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation in 1996, the annual $1.5 million dollar award honors a charitable or non-governmental organization that has made extraordinary contributions toward alleviating human suffering anywhere in the world. The international Prize is the world's largest humanitarian award and ranks as one of the largest monetary prizes in any category - equal to the Nobel Prize. The Prize is not only intended to recognize and advance the efforts of the recipient organization, but also to call attention to the worldwide need for humanitarian aid and encourage others to expand their support.

Previous recipients of the Hilton Humanitarian Prize include Tostan International in 2007, Women for Women International in 2006, and Partners In Health in 2005. For further information about the Hilton Humanitarian Prize and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, visit www.hiltonfoundation.org.

November 2007, Bethany, CT - In March 2007, Nick Ohly traveled to Senegal with American Friends of Le Kinkeliba to visit various Le Kinkeliba sites. During this trip, Nick was deeply impressed by all of Le Kinkeliba's programs, and moved especially by the kindergartens. Nick died suddenly on November 12, 2007. Following his passing, his family decided that donations to a Le Kinkeliba kindergarten would be a fitting memorial. Contributions to The Nick Ohly Kindergarten in Senegal can be made c/o The American Friends of Le Kinkeliba -to contribute, click here.

Nick Ohly in Senegal in March 2007 visiting with students at the Le Kinkeliba kindergarten in the village of Niéménéké.

August 2007, Bethany, CT - American Friends of Le Kinkeliba, Inc. is delighted to announce that it is a recipient of a Google Grant award. The Google Grants program supports organizations sharing Google's philosophy of community service to help the world in areas such as science and technology, education, global public health, the environment, youth advocacy, and the arts.

Designed for 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, Google Grants is a unique in-kind advertising program harnessing the power of Google AdWords advertising product. Google Grants has awarded AdWords advertising to hundreds of non-profit groups whose missions range from animal welfare to literacy, from supporting homeless children to promoting HIV education. The board and staff of the American Friends greatly appreciates Google's recognition of our efforts to heighten awareness of the work being done by Le Kinkeliba to bring modern medical care, and health and education services, to underserved families in rural Africa.

August 1, 2007 - American Friends of Le Kinkeliba submitted a Letter to the Editor of The New York Times in response to a July 31, 2007, article by Harriet A. Washington, "Why Africa Fears Western Medicine." The text appears below. Ms. Washington's article is available at www.nytimes.com.

August 1, 2007
The New York Times
To the Editor,

It was distressing to read Harriet A. Washington's account in these pages of the fears many Africans harbor about the dangers of Western medicine, based on instances where medical workers failed to provide adequate care or, in fortunately rare instances, conducted unprincipled experiments on African subjects under the guise of preventing disease.

I know firsthand from my work in rural Senegal with the nonprofit organization Le Kinkeliba, that the "reasonable fears" Africans harbor of Western medicine can be triumphantly overcome. Under the leadership of Dr. Gilles Degois, Le Kinkeliba consistently seeks common ground with tribal leaders and villagers, African physicians, and local and national officials in its ever-widening efforts to construct clean, efficient medical centers to reduce maternal and infant mortality, and prevent and combat a variety of ailments. At every step, Le Kinkeliba personnel (both Western and African) demonstrate their respect for the culture of the villages to which they minister. As a result, they have earned the trust of thousands previously without access to quality care.

By its example, I believe Le Kinkeliba is ably meeting the responsibility Ms. Washington advocates of allaying Africans' fears and concerns about modern medical practices. Its model is cost-efficient and eminently replicable -- and offers perhaps the best hope we have of effecting true and lasting acceptance of Western medicine in the most impoverished areas of the African continent.

Sincerely,
Anne Barker
Director
American Friends of Le Kinkeliba, Inc.

June 2007, Bethany, CT - American Friends of Le Kinkeliba is pleased to report on the stunning success of Le Kinkeliba's participation in the Global Health Council's 34th annual conference which took place in Washington D.C., May 29th – June 1st, 2007.

Le Kinkeliba Founder, Dr. Gilles Degois, was invited by the Global Health Council to present an abstract in the form of a poster presentation on the topic Creating Sustainable Medical Partnership Facilities in Rural Africa. In his presentation, Dr. Degois discussed Le Kinkeliba's work in remote rural regions of Southeastern Senegal, highlighting the various key partnerships that have been established throughout Le Kinkeliba's operation.

On the occasion of the Conference, Dr. Degois was joined by his esteemed Senegalese colleague Dr. Constance Mbaye, Director of Le Kinkeliba's Wassadou medical clinic. Dr. Degois was also pleased to have been joined by Le Kinkeliba members Marc and Patricia Perpitch who work directly with early childhood initiatives for Le Kinkeliba as well as Demetri Blanas, a young American medical student currently working with a government health post in the District of Saraya, Senegal.

Through this participation in the prestigious Global Health Council annual conference, Dr. Degois and his Le Kinkeliba colleagues had opportunity to engage with fellow participants in an exciting dialogue on the current status and future of global health. For a full report of Dr. Degois' presentation click here.

The Global Health Council is the world's largest membership alliance dedicated to saving lives by improving health throughout the world. Further information about the Global Health Council and it's upcoming 35th annual conference, Community Health: Delivering, Serving, Engaging, Leading, can be found at: www.globalhealth.org.

June 2007, Bethany, CT - American Friends of Le Kinkeliba (AFLK) is delighted to report on the success of the Le Kinkeliba "Friend-raiser" held in New York City on June 4th, 2007.

Following Le Kinkeliba Founder Dr. Gilles Degois' presentation at the Global Health Council's 34th annual conference in Washington D.C., AFLK organized an event in New York City to introduce Dr. Degois and the outstanding medical and education programs of Le Kinkeliba to a group of American friends and supporters.

With speeches and an informative slide-presentation by Dr. Degois, AFLK's President Nicholas Fox Weber, and Dr. Constance Mbaye, Director of Le Kinkeliba's Wassadou medical clinic, the event served to communicate Le Kinkeliba's accomplishments in Senegal as well as to introduce upcoming projects.

Held at the Yale Club in mid-town Manhattan, dignitaries from both the French and Senegalese consulates were in attendance as well.

May 2007, Bethany, CT – American Friends of Le Kinkeliba is pleased to announce the Global Health Council's invitation to Le Kinkeliba's Founder and President, Dr. Gilles Degois, to present an abstract at its 34th annual conference in Washington D.C., May 29th – June 1st, 2007.

As the world's largest membership alliance dedicated to saving lives by improving health throughout the world, the Global Health Council has organized this year's conference on the theme Partnerships: Working Together for Global Health. Dr. Degois will present his abstract in the form of a poster presentation on the topic Creating Sustainable Medical Partnership Facilities in Rural Africa. Dr. Degois will discuss Le Kinkeliba's work in remote rural regions of Southeastern Senegal, highlighting the various key partnerships that have been established throughout Le Kinkeliba's operation. These relationships, ranging from working dialogues with local villagers, the Senegalese government and the national and international medical community, help to form the strong foundation upon which Le Kinkeliba operates.

Being invited to participate in the prestigious Global Health Council annual conference will allow Dr. Degois and his Le Kinkeliba colleagues the opportunity to engage with fellow participants in an exciting and productive dialogue on the current status and future of global health. A full report of Dr. Degois' presentation will be published on the American Friends of Le Kinkeliba website at the time of the conference in May 2007.

Further information about the Global Health Council annual conference can be found at: www.globalhealth.org.

April 2007, Bethany, CT – American Friends of Le Kinkeliba is delighted to announce the nomination of Le Kinkeliba's Founder, Dr. Gilles Degois, for the esteemed Jonathan Mann Award for Global Health and Human Rights. This award was established in 1999 to honor Dr. Jonathan Mann and highlight the vital link between health and human rights. Sponsored by five organizations, Association François-Xavier Bagnoud, CARE, Doctors of the World, John Snow, Inc. and the Global Health Council, the award is bestowed annually to a leading practitioner in health and human rights and comes with a substantial financial reward to allow its recipients a measure of freedom to pursue their work in the important area of global health and human rights. 

Presented annually to the recipient during a special ceremony May 31st, 2007, at the Global Health Council's annual conference in Washington D.C., this distinguished honor ranks among one of the highest within the international global health community.

In nominating Dr. Degois for the Mann Award, American Friends of Le Kinkeliba Founder and President, Nicholas Fox Weber, cited the importance of Dr. Degois' commitment to human rights to his work over the past 12 years in rural Africa: "Dr. Gilles Degois is an unsung hero among the people who are working today in Africa to reduce maternal and infant mortality, to prevent and combat disease, and to improve the lives of the impoverished and underserved in far-reaching ways. The motivating force behind the work of Dr. Degois in Africa is his central belief that all persons deserve the same rights of access to quality medical care, to health education and prevention information, to clean water and nutritious food -- and, for children and their parents, the right of access to quality early childhood education.”

Further information about the Jonathan Mann Award for Global Health and Human Rights can be found at www.globalhealth.org/.

April 2007, Bethany, CT – American Friends of Le Kinkeliba is delighted to announce Le Kinkeliba's nomination for the Gates Award for Global Health.  Given annually during the Global Health Council conference, the award's recipient will be announced at a special ceremony May 31st, 2007.  The Gates Award for Global Health was established by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to reward outstanding organizations which have developed processes for improving health, especially in resource poor settings, with measurable results.  The Award recognizes past achievements and the promise of continuing activity and improvement.

Le Kinkeliba is among dozens of other distinguished national and international health and human service organizations being considered for the 2007 Gates award. 

For a complete list of nominees, visit www.globalhealth.org.  

April 2007, Bethany, CT - From March 23 to April 1st, 2007 a group of American Friends of Le Kinkeliba supporters visited Senegal to see Le Kinkeliba's work firsthand. Arriving in Dakar on the 23rd of March, the group was accompanied by Le Kinkeliba Founder Dr. Gilles Degois and American Friends of Le Kinkeliba President, Nicholas Fox Weber.

From Dakar, the group traveled to the Eastern region of Senegal and the regional capital of Tambacounda, around which many of the Le Kinkeliba projects are based. Over the course of the week, the group visited several Le Kinkeliba sites, gaining a broad understanding of Le Kinkeliba's multi-faceted activities and strong partnerships throughout the region. These site visited on this trip included:

• Le Kinkeliba Medical Village at Wassadou
• Le Kinkeliba Kindergartens at Niéménéké, Koar, Saal
• The Tambacounda Girls Dormitory Project
• Maternal Clinic Carole in Goumbayel
• Le Kinkeliba Medical Village in Sinthian
• Le Kinkeliba supported school in Thies

American Friends of Le Kinkeliba was delighted by the scope and breadth of this trip and enjoyed the opportunity to share Le Kinkeliba's work directly with a group of its supporters.

January 2007, Bethany, CT - From March 23 to April 1st, 2007 a group of American Friends of Le Kinkeliba supporters visited Senegal to see Le Kinkeliba's work firsthand. Arriving in Dakar on the 23rd of March, the group was accompanied by Le Kinkeliba Founder Dr. Gilles Degois and American Friends of Le Kinkeliba President, Nicholas Fox Weber.

From Dakar, the group traveled to the Eastern region of Senegal and the regional capital of Tambacounda, around which many of the Le Kinkeliba projects are based. Over the course of the week, the group visited several Le Kinkeliba sites, gaining a broad understanding of Le Kinkeliba's multi-faceted activities and strong partnerships throughout the region. These site visited on this trip included:

• Le Kinkeliba Medical Village at Wassadou
• Le Kinkeliba Kindergartens at Niéménéké, Koar, Saal
• The Tambacounda Girls Dormitory Project
• Maternal Clinic Carole in Goumbayel
• Le Kinkeliba Medical Village in Sinthian
• Le Kinkeliba supported school in Thies

American Friends of Le Kinkeliba was delighted by the scope and breadth of this trip and enjoyed the opportunity to share Le Kinkeliba's work directly with a group of its supporters.