Helping babies in Kenya survive the USAID cuts

This past year has not been an easy one. Like many organisations, we have had to navigate a very challenging funding environment, with global aid cuts and increasing pressure on community services. There were moments when the road ahead felt uncertain. The support of people like you helped us to keep going, focused on communities in Kenya and protecting essential programmes. We are so grateful to you and to our partner the GlobalGiving Foundation. This project was launched for the September Passport to Purpose campaign and we are happy to share an update with you focusing on outreach.

Brighter Communities Worldwide’s way of working is in partnership with communities, county health authorities and frontline health workers to deliver practical, community-driven solutions. Maternal and child health is a central priority for us as the wellbeing of mothers and children is the foundation to healthy families and resilient communities.  We work alongside communities, Community Health Promotors and health facilities to improve access to antenatal, delivery and postnatal care, with a particular focus on reaching women facing economic, geographic and social barriers.

Your support helped us to strengthen community outreach and follow-up, allowing more women to be supported to engage with maternal health services. During 2025, 24,133 women were supported to delivery safely with skilled care.  Outreach clinics played a critical role in extending services to hard-to-reach areas, reaching 15,967 women and children who might otherwise have faced significant barriers to care.

Community Health Promotors (CHPs) are often the first point of contact for families, they provide health education, early identification of risk, follow-up and referral, helping ensure that care reaches those who need it most. We provide training including maternal and child health. Each CHP learns how to support the expectant women in their area. They accompany the woman to the nearest health facility for her first Ante Natal Care (ANC) visit and encourage her to attend the recommended number of 4 visits during her pregnancy. They help keep track of her progress, learn how to identify possible health issues of concern and how to safely transport a woman in labour and they advocate for delivery at the hospital. Beyond the birth, the CHP continues to support mother and baby at home and through Outreach Clinics that provide health checks and vaccination programme.

Challenges to funding continue to dominate the road ahead this year. We are resolved to continue to support the communities we work with to survive the ripple effects of global instability. Your support is greatly appreciated.