Submitted

A recent medical mission trip to Kenya was the topic of a program presented at the Thursday, March 5 meeting of the Trenton Rotary Club, held at the BTC Bank community room. Daniel Gott presided at the meeting and Dan Wilford gave the prayer.

Program chairman Martha Goedert introduced Dr. Kelly Deering, a local ophthalmologist who recently returned from Kenya following a weeklong medical mission. Dr. Deering was among medical personnel who worked in Kakamega County, Kenya, providing eye care to residents of the area.

She was part of a group organized by Dr. Kim Baxter of Omaha, Nebraska, who began traveling to Kenya in 2012 to provide eye care and visited the Trenton Rotary Club in 2023 to share information about his work. Dr. Deering said her attendance at that meeting led to her joining the team for a trip in 2024, where she saw the need for improvements to the medical services available there, including optical and general health care.

Through grants received from Rotary International, as well as monetary donations from Rotary Clubs in Trenton, Chillicothe, Florida and Nebraska, improvements were made to existing facilities and new buildings were constructed. New equipment was also purchased.

The grand opening of the facilities was held this past January, with Dr. Deering able to participate and continue providing eye care services. Thanks to assistance from local and area pharmacists, she was also able to secure much-needed medical supplies that were sent to Kenya. She said she plans to return when the group travels again in 2027.

The Trenton Rotary Club voted to make a $500 donation to the project.

During the business meeting, members were reminded about donations to the Shoes for Orphan Souls project, including the donation of at least five pairs of new shoes and $50 per member. Shoes will go to the Rotary shoe project, while the monetary donations will support the local shoe project through Bright Futures Trenton.

Assistant District Governor Chad Higdon of Savannah also visited the club and shared remarks on behalf of District 6040.

The program for the March 12 meeting will be presented by Darcie Taylor, who will speak about the upcoming Better Women’s Conference. Steve Taylor will serve as program chairman.