doTERRA Wellness Advocate Starts an Organization to Help Kenyans in Poverty

Rafiki Africa works to fight against infection, disease, poverty, and lack of education in Kenya

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Sep 29, 2016, 12:17 ET

PLEASANT GROVE, Utah, Sept. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In 1998, doTERRA Wellness Advocate Dorothy Dulo started a movement to help ease poverty, alleviate infectious diseases, aid with education, and offer general health services in Africa—specifically in Kenya. Dorothy was born and raised in Kenya, and after attending college in the United States, she wanted to create a bridge of support from the U.S. to Kenya. Years later, she and her husband founded Rafiki Africa in an effort to improve the lives of those in Dorothy's Kenyan community.

Because of difficult and uncontrolled living conditions, many people in Kenya don't have access to clean water, education, healthcare, food, and proper shelter. Having grown up in Kenya, Dorothy was well aware of these kinds of circumstances, and wanted to do what she could to improve the lives of those she loved.

While she was away at college, many of Dorothy's peers and family members died of infectious diseases like HIV, and preventable tropical diseases. Without access to healthcare, many people in Kenya lose their lives to infection and disease. In 2013, malaria and pneumonia were the leading killer diseases in Kenya, claiming over 46,000 lives. Over 43% of the Kenyan population lives in poverty, and there is a high burden of infectious diseases like HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis. Without the proper capacity for healthcare programs, a large portion of people continue to suffer from infectious diseases and other ailments.

Today, Dorothy serves as the International Director and Program Manager of Rafiki Africa. She oversees the organization's work in Kenya and the USA. One of Dorothy's main concerns is the health initiatives of Rafiki Africa, and the organization often takes medical trips to Kenya to organize short term medical camps.

Aside from helping with medical concerns, Rafiki Africa also has other programs and initiatives to help the people of Kenya. For example, the organization started the LightHouse Academy, a school for 200 students from kindergarten through eighth grade.

About her work with Rafiki Africa, Dorothy says, "Our work is holistic and sustainable. We reach families that do not have access to health, education, or social services, and help empower people to be independent and live in optimum health. I get very excited when I see anyone able to meet their own needs and get out of the circle of poverty." To learn more about Rafiki Africa, or see how you can support their cause, visit their website.

doTERRA Cares is an initiative through which doTERRA International recognizes and raises awareness for Wellness Advocates who contribute to worthy causes worldwide. doTERRA International is thrilled to share Dorothy's success and service and recognizes her as this week's doTERRA Cares highlight!

About doTERRA International, LLC

doTERRA is a world leader in the sourcing, testing, manufacturing, and distribution of CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® essential oils through a global network of Wellness Advocates. In addition to a premium line of single-plant extracts and proprietary essential oil blends, the company offers oil-infused personal care and spa products, dietary supplements, and healthy living products for the home.

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