Makindu Dental Project is based at the Gurdwara Makindu Sahib (Sikh Temple in Makindu, Kenya). Makindu is a rural town, 100 miles from the capital city of Nairobi, with very limited access to dental and healthcare facilities. The project began in 2005 when a hospital block was added to the temple and started offering free ad-hoc dental clinics provided by my dentist brother-in-law Dr Parvin Jandu and his good friend Dr Joseph Nduati who continue to be involved with these clinics.  

After a visit to Makindu, my family members were determined to support the initiative with the help of Maidenhead Rotary Club of which I am a member. In the summer of 2007, two dental camps were held. About 450 patients were treated but limited facilities meant treatment was mostly restricted to extractions. 

However, the initiative was adopted as a quadrilateral project by the Rotary Club which meant funding could be provided for two new dental units which were officially opened by fellow Rotarian Frank Knowles and myself in 2009. That year also saw a four day dental camp with 525 patients treated by a team of family dentists from the UK including my son, Dr Jasdeep Bahra and his wife, Dr Navpreet Bahra, my nephew Dr Harpinder Roopra and his wife Dr Ravinder Roopra and others from Nairobi including Dr Manpreet Roopra and Dr Bobby Jandu. 

The project is in its 13th year and the clinics are now held every fortnight offering a wide range of treatments together with education in oral health and hygiene. Two new dental units have been added to the project which now treats about 1600 patients a year free of cost. 

I am grateful to Gurdwara Sahib, Makindu for providing a safe and secure infrastructure and for providing free food and accommodation to the dentists who travel great distances for the fortnightly clinic. I am also grateful to the nursing and medical staff at the hospital for supporting this cause. 

Despite being forced to close temporarily due to covid-19, the clinics are once again running fully. 

For the last 13 years we have been running these clinics and making a huge impact on the lives of those less fortunate living in Makindu and the surrounding areas. This would not be possible without your continued support. We thank you in advance for any contribution you are able to make large or small.