Antony began working with street boys using glue and cannabis in Mombassa. He soon found that whilst he was able to provide the boys with short term help e.g. food and shelter they really needed longer term care. In view of this Antony started working in a rehabilitation centre to get the experience he needed and began reading widely about addiction.

In 1997 Antony started a residential programme under a Kenyan registered NGO called SINAM (a Swahili word meaning “We and Progress”). It was a challenging time “I received no salary and led a simple lifestyle. I ate, slept and lived with the residents for 6 months.” After writing the programmes and a constitution Antony set up several income generation activities to support the medicinal and basic needs of the residents. In 1998, he received a scholarship to study Management of Health and Psycho-social Services at Uppsala University in Sweden where he was able to learn even more about addiction and intervention strategies at various levels in the developing countries.

Antony was introduced to ISAAC in 1998 and thereafter SINAM became a member in 1999. In 2004, he attended the Sweden Consultation and was part of a committee for delivery of information. Antony is now the East Africa Coordinator and recently attended the ISAAC Egypt Congress 2006 on a bursary provided by ISAAC supporters.

I received no salary and led a simple lifestyle. I ate, slept and lived with the residents for 6 months.

Antony Otieno, Kenya