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Dr. Marty's Story​



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In 2008, I fulfilled a lifetime dream when I took my first medical mission trip to Kenya. It was there that I met my fellow board members for OKS Inc, David Wildermuth and Patrick Murunga.  David, a pastor from Portland, Oregon, was part of the mission team.  Patrick, the pastor of Good Shepherd Church in Nairobi, was our host.

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It was an eye opening experience to witness:

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  •  teenage orphans of HIV/AIDS parents come to clinic as the head of their household caring for several younger siblings
  •  young mothers wasting away with disease trying to feed their starving infants
  •  the devastation to the fabric of society that occurs when an entire generation is wiped out.



The goal of the partnership between Dave's organization - Hope Teams International, and Patrick's - Oikos-Hoseholds of Faith, was not just to support the orphans left behind by HIV/AIDS, but also to encourage the community to be responsible for them by absorbing them into their homes and showing them that they were loved and belonged within the community.  This mission, and the realization of the depth of the health care needs in the area, had me hooked.



The daily walk to clinic from our comfortable, but basic hotel in Oyugis was a 2.5 mile trek through lush farmland and throngs of schoolkids.  It wasn't until my third trip in 2010 that I noticed the fields of peanuts being harvested along the route.  I was aware of the peanut butter based food being used by Dr. Mark Manary to treat malnourished children in Malawi and mentioned this to Patrick.  When informed that the area we were in was the largest producer of peanuts in Kenya, the seeds of this project were sewn.

Back in St. Louis, I spoke with Mardy Manary from Project Peanut Butter (PPB) and Patricia Wolf MD from Medika Mamba in Haiti regarding their experiences in the field both manufacturing and distributing peanut butter based ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF).  On my way to Kenya in 2011, I visited PPB's factory and clinics in Malawi to gain insight into the process.  I explained my ideas and findings to Patrick who encouraged me to "take this and run with it."  I ran straight to Dave when I got home and found a most willing and ready partner for the project.



In May 2012, OKS Inc was incorporated as a non-profit business in the state of Missouri.  Dave and I traveled back to Oyugis in the fall of 2012, a week prior to the scheduled medical clinic in order to scout out the nuts and bolts of starting a project in the area.  Our fears of encountering numerous roadblocks were unfounded.  From public officials and regional medical personnel, to community leaders and other local non-governmental organizations (NGOS), we were met with nothing but encouragement.

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So here we are.  Ready, willing, and able to start this much needed service for the children in Kenya.  If you're interested in joining us I encourage you to read further.

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