The James R. Jordan Foundation International in partnership with the African Women Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) - Kenya Chapter, and the Kenya Women & Children’s Wellness Centre commemorated this celebration for the women of Kenya; who through their noble ways of life have inspired change in the lives of their female counterparts. The International Women's Day Celebration is observed on the 8th of March each year. It is a day to reflect on the progress made concerning women's issues in Kenya, and to call for change and celebrate the acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities. 

The event was attended by distinguished guests who included the Cabinet Secretary of Health, the Hon. James Mwangi, the US Ambassador to Kenya, Amb. Robert F. Godec, and diplomats, Mrs. Deloris Jordan (President, James Jordan Foundation International), and Ms. Gailmarie Scott (Patron, AWEP).

We were very pleased to have the opportunity to meet with First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and look forward to developing the Kenya Women and Children's Wellness Centre!

First Lady Mrs. Margaret Kenyatta holding talks with Mrs Deloris Jordan at State House Nairobi. The two discussed a proposal by James R.Foundation to put up a Children and Women Hospital in Nairobi.

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta gives support for women and children's health!
BY PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE, 12 JUNE 2013
Nairobi — First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has called for increased partnership between the Government and the private sector in the provision of healthcare services to women and children.

The First Lady particularly noted that health facilities sponsored by churches and Non-Governmental Organizations played an important role in complementing the Government's efforts of ensuring that Kenyans have access to quality healthcare services. The First Lady was speaking today at State House, Nairobi during a meeting with Deloris Jordan of James R. Jordan Foundation International who paid her a courtesy call.

During the meeting, Jordan briefed the First Lady on the progress her foundation has made towards addressing the health needs of women and children in the country. She pointed out that the James R. Jordan Foundation has established a women and children's wellness centre, along the Thika Superhighway which caters women and children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The women and children's wellness centre is fully equipped with a forensics laboratory, a research training centre, paediatric care centre, burns unit, a HIV/AIDS out-patient clinic and gender violence recovery centre. While appreciating the noble initiative by the foundation, the First Lady observed that the project will go along way in improving the health of women and children in the country.

Mrs. Jordan was accompanied by Sunita Nathoo, the Managing Director of the Kenya Women and Children's Wellness Centre.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Academy of Architecture for Health (AAH) has announced four recipients of the AIA National Healthcare Design Awards program.  The awards program highlights the "best of healthcare building design and healthcare design-oriented research" that exhibit "conceptual strengths that solve aesthetic, civic, urban, and social concerns as well as the requisite functional and sustainability concerns of a hospital."
The buildings' design and massing responds to the construction methods and climate in Kenya.  The linear bar buildings are oriented east/west to minimize heat gain.  Large overhangs on the north/south facades accommodate sun-shading, solid east/west end walls minimize direct solar radiation.  Taking advantage of Kenya's temperate weather, the buildings are naturally ventilated. 
To read more, visit: http://www.archdaily.com/274743/aia-selects-four-projects-for-national-healthcare-design-awards/

Many thanks to Perkins+Will for the design of the Centre, and for creating elements, specifically tailored to Kenya with respect to social customs, local construction practices and environmental concerns.
For more information on the 2011 WAN Awares, visit: http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=16560

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the James R. Jordan Foundation International (JRJFI) have signed an agreement that will allocate US$600,000 (Ksh 51 million) towards the training of health care providers in Kasarani, an area in the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya.  For more information, visit: http://nairobi.usembassy.gov/press-releases/2011-press-releases2/pr_20110524.html