Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Fernando.
Alabaster Mobile Clinic is a 501(c)(3) non-profit healthcare organization based in California, which provides health services and health education to impoverished rural and urban communities in Africa, lacking access to healthcare. Alabaster consists of volunteer doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and other volunteers whose mission is to serve those most in need. Alabaster enters a community, whether it is an informal settlement or remote village, to meet primary health care needs, treating acute illnesses and providing evidence-based preventative health measures. In order to establish sustainable disease prevention and management outcomes, Alabaster also focuses on providing health education based on host country’s identified needs which may include, but are not limited to: hygiene, endemic disease processes, proper nutrition, basic wound care, and prenatal care. Founded in 2012, Alabaster works mainly in Kenya, not only providing healthcare, but also providing educational programs in rural and urban schools, leadership training for students, and girls empowerment, including access to sanitary wear for young girls. In 2015, Alabaster built a medical clinic in a rural village in Kenya called, Endonyolasho, which was taken over by the Kenyan government for full-time operation in 2017. In 2019, Alabaster built a community library in Endonyolasho, which was dedicated and opened this summer.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As with any community development initiative, it is always important to identify reliable in-country guides, that are like-minded in their vision and have integrity. We have been incredibly blessed to have a Kenyan non-profit, called Girl Child Network (GCN), who we have partnered with since our inception. GCN identifies communities in need throughout Kenya and teaches how to navigate precious cultural nuances and also assists the communities in communicating to us what their needs are.
Alabaster Mobile Clinic – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from others?
Alabaster Mobile Clinic’s ultimate vision is to empower people to achieve physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Our values lie in the life and love of Jesus Christ. We believe each person is made in the image of God and that all people should be given the opportunity to achieve physical, emotional, and spiritual wholeness. Our aim is that each person, family or household Alabaster interacts with receives compassionate, competent, and culturally-conscious healthcare and health education that enables each person to lead a life of contentment and joy. The love that Alabaster seeks to demonstrate through healthcare is fully characterized by this verse from the Bible:
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has born? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” – Isaiah 49: 15-16
Through our presence within each community we enter, Alabaster hopes to show the physically, socially, and economically marginalized that they have not been forgotten. Alabaster gives holistic care to people from all backgrounds and does not discriminate based on religion, gender, class, race, or creed. In addition, we do not enter communities with our own agenda, but allow our hosts to tell us what they need. Our goal then is eventually to create a sustainable model within each community where ultimately they will no longer need us.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The build and launch of a medical clinic in rural Kenya, Endonylasho, in July 2015. Before the existence of this clinic, community members would have to walk 15 hours to get medical care. Once the clinic opened, the community of over 1000 Masaai men, women and children now have access to regular medical care, which has impacted school enrollment and decreased mortality in the community. In addition, women now have a safe place to deliver their children and access to routine immunizations for school-aged children.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.alabastermc.org
Image Credit:
PC: Tina Babajanians
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