In 2017, the 12th annual World AIDS Marathon was held again in Kisumu on World AIDS Day (December 1st). The Event was sponsored by the Richard M. Brodsky Foundation and organized by Athletics Kenya. The Richard M. Brodsky Foundation provided $5,000 in prize money and sponsored 4 orphan dinner dances for 785 Kenyan children and 263 children were examined and treated at the orphan dinner dances. With your help, we can do more in 2018.
The 2017 World AIDS Marathon was a success considering the political unrest in Kenya + tourism was practically non-existent during our nine days stay. 296 people participated in the marathon, half-marathon, 4K relay, and children's run. The Richard M. Brodsky Foundation will continue to send new clothing and shoes to CDC/KEMRI (Kisumu, Kenya) in 2018 for local distribution and we expect to surpass our $3,000 clothing donation made in 2017.
The Foundation's newest board member, Mfalme Arthur of KEMRI , successfully orchestrated an orphan dinner dance at Kisumu Museum and provided medical care. Dr. Richard Sartori provided the medicine for all four orphan dinner dances, Bonyo’s Kenya Mission and KEMRI provided rapid malaria test kits and additional vitamins were provided by KEMRI.
The winners of the World AIDS Marathon were Bernard Tungus and Hellen Chepkut in a time of 2:20:43 and 3:14:57 respectively. The winners of the half marathon were Dennia Kiyaka and Purity Akoth in a time of 1:19:58 and 1:46:58 respectively. Richard and Jodi Brodsky finished the marathon in a time of 4:37:38 and 4:29:57.
Start of Marathon
Joseph Ochieng, International Technical Official, Chairman Nyanza North Region of Athletics Kenya in white shirt and cap (far right) giving final instructions to volunteers the day before the World AIDS Marathon. In addition Kenya Institute of Management, KEMRIthere were a few volunteers from Africa Health Advisory Initiative supplied by Ofire Michael Ofire, Chairman and Founder. The staff of Athletics Kenya provided judging and timing and organized the volunteers
A few of the International Runners at the start. right to left, Rene Wallesch of Germany, Susan Ekpoh of Nigeria, and Richard and Jodi Brodsky. I think the two on the far left may have been from Uganda.
music and stretching at the start
Kenya Institute of Management Volunteers Team
The Kenya Institute of Management, (KIM), provided a team of volunteers. Thanks Imelda A. Odongo, Manager of Kisumu Branch (KIM) / Kevin Kinong Momanyi for providing and organizing the volunteers in conjunction with Athletics Kenya.
A Red Cross Worker and volunteer escorting me into a tent to have my leg massaged after finishing the marathon. Temperatures reached 80 degrees Fahrenheit and it was sunny.
AIDS Testing
Mfalme Arthur checking in on one of the organizations testing for HIV. 429 people were tested for HIV on World AIDS Day at Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground. Thanks Mfalme for bringing a team of volunteers to the World AIDS Marathon.
146 children participated in the children's run from as far as Uganda.
Harriet Namuddu Ssentongo and four of her sons traveled from Uganda to participate in the 12th annual World AIDS Marathon / children's run. Her husband James William Mugeni was not able to make the trip.
HIV-prevention medicine PREP is promoted at the start of the marathon.
Numerous organizations walked and displayed their banners at the Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground at the World AIDS Day Marathon. 300 people walked in the children’s walk.
Mflame Arthur organized several clothing donations from Richard M. Brodsky Foundation to Ebineezer Center and other local Kenyan organizations.
Several runners congregating near the start of marathon
DAMN THAT DAMN COW for scaring Jodi and making her run faster. In a flash she passed me as I was just a hundred feet ahead. Photo: courtesy of Ingatious Walter Oluoci, Athletics Kenya.
Jodi Brodsky finished the marathon in 04:29:57
Richard Brodsky finished the marathon in 4:37:38.
Truly an agony and ecstasy moment if ever there was one.
A mosaic picture at Nairobi International Airport, to whomever picks the art at JFK International airport, I am so tired of seeing the 200 feet of sculptural curtains walking from the plane to check through customs, those curtains represent nothing about America, or what it means to be an American
Love looking at this painting by Maurice Opiyo Artist as it draws me back to Kenya. check out Maurice on FACEBOOK. Next year we hope to have artists having an art show at the 13th annual World AIDS Marathon.
Painting by Maurice Opiyo
Painting by Maurice Opiyo
Asha, owner of KenShop was one of the first people I met in Kisumu, back in 2006, and every year she buys me a cup of cappuccino from her Internet café
Silverstone Airline started a new discount airline service in late 2017. We traveled from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Kisumu and the prices were substantially less than the other airlines and the planes are brand new..
Welcome to the Kisumu Imperial Express Hotel, our home away from home for our week’s stay in Kisumu. The TV screen shown above displays 60 photos of visitors to the hotel and this picture is from the 2016 World AIDS Marathon. Pictured left to right: Dr. Sartori examines hundreds of Kenyan orphans and participates in the half marathon. Jodi & Richard Brodsky both run the full World AIDS Marathon, and a hotel employee.
Hey, give me back my coffee!
Giraffe Center in Nairobi
You already got my coffee so now
you’re going to see what else is in the garbage,Kisumu Impala Sanctuary.
A visit to the Giraffe Centre in Nairobi, our guide informed us they are lucky to have Eddie, a real stud who has fathered hundreds of offspring, Eddie pictured above. Giraffes eat leaves from trees and can eat up to 75 pounds a day. They spend most of their day eating because leaves do not weigh very much. Each giraffe needs 10 acres of land for grazing. Imagine if Eddie escaped, all the greenery on your block could be wiped out in a day.
Kisumu Impala Sanctuary is a 5-minute ride from downtown Kisumu where you can see zebras, impalas and monkeys roaming freely. Just be sure not to place a bag with coffee in it to take a photo or it will be snatched by a monkey. Ostriches, giraffes, lions, tigers, cheetahs, baboons and other animals are fenced in, but if you get a good guide he will let you lie down next to a Cheetah.
It is even more romantic than it looks, you look one way and you see giraffes and you turn around and you see Lake Victoria.
Pictures can lie as I was going to crop the bottom half of the photo and write a caption, 'Jodi petting a zebra.' The reality is if you get too close to a zebra it will smack you hard with its tail and it will hurt a lot
November 26, 2017. Mama Sarah and her daughter Marsat Onyango organized a meal for 75 children. Pictured left to right: Rene Wallesch; Mama Sarah, President Obama's grandmother; and Jodi & Richard Brodsky
a one man band whose music resonates with the Kenyan children and Jodi and me. .
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67 children were examined and treated at Mama Sarah's home on November 27th. It was so sad as I saw firsthand how 90% of the children who were tested for malaria had blood results which turned up positive.
November 29, 2016… It always feels like home to be greeted and hugged by Dr. Bonyo, head of Bonyo’s Kenya Mission. 300 orphans dined and danced at Mama Pilista Bonyo Memorial Health Center in Masara, Kenya. 60 orphans were examined and treated by Dr. Bonyo and his medical team from America and Kenya. Dr. Bonyo’s clinic is world renowned for his charitable caring for Kenyan children and expectant moms.
Thank you to volunteer Mickenzie Smith / Lightwave Creative for designing the 2017 Richard M. Brodsky Foundation’s HERO of the Year poster for Dr. Bonyo (see above) and co-hero Jodi Brodsky whose depth of kindness,caring, commitment and love is gratefully acknowledged by her loving husband Richard Brodsky.
better than the best chiropractor… getting that hug from Dr. Bonyo .
It is always party time with Dr. Bonyo and the hundreds of kids Bonyo’s Kenya Mission cares for.
Dr. Bonyo holding one of the first babies delivered at Bonyo's Kenya Mission
Jodi Brodsky and Kevin Kinonga Momanyi dancing at the November 30th, 2017 orphan dinner dance at Isaac Oron's home in Ahero, just give Kevin a mic and he sure knows how to get these kids dancing! The orphan dinner dance was organized by Isaac Oron, CEO of Belfon Foundation. 250 orphans dined and danced at 63 were examined and treated by Dr. Joseph Muga.
Isaac Oron and his family
Richard Brodsky, having a great time here at Isaac Oron's home in Ahero at the November 30th, 2017 orphan dinner dance
The Foundation's newest board member, Mfalme Arthur of KEMRI , successfully orchestrated an orphan dinner dance at Kisumu Museum and provided medical care. Dr. Richard Sartori provided the medicine for all four orphan dinner
A mother and a child at December 2nd Kisumu Museum orphan dinner dance waiting to be examined by a doctor, not all the children are orphans, but the majority of kids being examined did have malaria. The rapid test and the malaria medicine with the pricker for a blood test only cost about $1.50 if you buy this in large quantities. Dr. Richard Sartori provided the medicine and Dr. Bonyo donated the prickers + transportation to the orphan dinner dances. KEMRI also donated prickers + some vitamins and medicine.
Thank you to volunteer Mickenzie Smith / Lightwave Creative for designing the thank you certificate of appreciation for the World AIDS Marathon sponsors and volunteers.
