AMBASSADOR NELLY NDUN'GU FACE OF KENYA UK 2020

y name is Nelly Ndungu , am a first year student at the University of Hertfordshire pursuing Pharmacology. In addition I’ve also studied Sociology at Moi University in Kenya.  Am a self taught belly dancer, I also enjoy on other dances like salsa, kizomba and bachata. Am also a fitness enthusiast, I enjoy doing home workouts, going for dance fitness classes and I play netball in University of Hertfordshire. Am born and raised in Kenya and I have a deeper understanding of the challenges encountered by majority of the citizens in the country. My chosen cause to focus on is Alzheimer's and Dementia disease which is a disease that mostly affect the ageing people but is often viewed as part of the ageing process. Older people are typically among the most vulnerable and the most neglected in society. Most health care  systems in Kenya have excluded old people especially those living with dementia which makes it more difficult to advocate for their health since it has not been made a priority compared to other diseases that the government supports. This leaves a trail of hopelessness ,high financial costs and  stigma on families affected . Lack of awareness in society has resulted to unforeseen and far fetched explanations from witchcraft and the disease is a curse from God. These has resulted to adverse effects such as abuse, violence,isolation or death.  There is neither no statistics showing the number of people affected by dementia . There is lack of proper diagnosis  with some people reporting cases of misdiagnosis e.g diabetes, perkisons disease, depression or a combination of other diseases. All these because of lack of awareness and understanding of the disease.  I choose Alzheimer's and Dementia Organization of Kenya (ADOK), Nakuru branch as my charity of choice hoping to help create more locally tailored awareness to the public. This is in loving memory of my great grandmother and now my grandmother who is now suffering from dementia