The Sound Board
Impact Report: Kenya
LSTN was founded with a singular purpose: to change lives through the power of music. Proceeds from sales of all LSTN products go towards giving hearing aids to people in need worldwide through our charity partner, Starkey Hearing Foundation. The team just got back from one of our favorite places to work - Kenya. Here's a peek into the impact you are creating by being a LSTN supporter!
Kisumu
After team LSTN landed in Nairobi, we headed straight to Kisumu, Kenya for a whirlwind day. 750 people showed up to receive the gift of hearing, and we worked with Starkey Hearing Foundation into the night to get everyone hearing aids
We met Huma, a bright 9 year old, and her mother at the mission site and learned that she had never heard before. Within just moments, we were able to switch on her new hearing aids and watch her face light up when she heard her mothers voice for the first time.
With a million residents, Kisumu is the third largest city in Kenya after it's capital Nairobi and coastal city Mombasa. It is located on Lake Victoria, the second biggest lake in the world. Here's the video we created onsite at the mission:
-
LSTN Team member Zoya laughs with a patient in Kisumu
Eldoret
After Kisumu, the team headed to Eldoret where 350 patients waited to receive hearing.
This is the fastest growing city in Kenya with about 300,000 people. Eldoret is famous for their runners - the high altitude is an ideal training ground for many middle and long distance athletes.
Team LSTN had previously been to both Kisumu and Eldoret in 2014, so we were excited to see familiar faces and the vibrant communities once again.
This is where we met Lillian. Her bright blue eyes are a result of Waardenburg Syndrome, which unfortunately causes hearing loss. We were happy to be able to change that for her! The missions were full of kids that attended local deaf schools.
If you'd like to check out what we play for people hearing for the first time, take a listen here!
Read on the see how we continued the trip in Kigali, Rwanda >