Break the cycle of poverty and disease in Kenya

Transforming Lives: SOTENI’s Progress and Impact
November 2024 - February 2025 Programme Activity Report

Between November 2024 and February 2025, SOTENI Villages of Hope in Kenya continued to make significant strides in improving the health and livelihoods of communities in Ugunja, Mbakalo, and Mituntu. The dispensary in Mbakalo remained a vital resource, offering antenatal and postnatal care, along with family planning services. Through the TIKO Africa program, we reached numerous young people, helping reduce teenage pregnancies and offering a brighter future for many. In addition, our P&G Water Filter Project made a remarkable impact, distributing over 3,000 filters to our 169 support groups, ensuring access to more than 9 million litres of clean water and significantly reducing health risks associated with waterborne diseases.

Our Income Generating Activities (IGAs) program has also contributed to the community’s resilience, with 17 groups across three villages participating in various ventures such as poultry farming, goat rearing, and horticulture. These businesses are empowering individuals, especially women, to achieve financial independence and provide for their families. The groups have overcome challenges, including poor harvests and livestock losses, and are now thriving, creating long-term economic opportunities within the community.

The Entrepreneurship training program, in collaboration with Street Business School (SBS), has had a lasting impact by equipping participants with the skills to start and grow small businesses. Graduates from this program are now running successful ventures and mentoring others in their communities, spreading knowledge and inspiring economic growth. Through the entrepreneurship program, individuals have gained financial literacy and practical business skills that help them navigate and succeed in their entrepreneurial journeys.

Additionally, the Eye Glasses Donation Program, in collaboration with the Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK), has provided essential eye care services and free reading glasses to the community in SVH Mbakalo. This initiative not only improved access to vision care but also built trust between the dispensary and the people it serves. The program’s success has strengthened the dispensary's sustainability, as the fees collected during eye clinics help cover operational costs and reinvest into medical supplies, ensuring long-term benefits for the community.

Your continued support is making a profound difference. Together, we are creating lasting change by improving health, fostering entrepreneurship, and building stronger, more resilient communities. Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey.

Links:

• http://www.soteni.org

• Activity_Photos.docx (DOCX)

Thanks to your generous support, SOTENI International has made remarkable progress in improving the lives of families across our three Villages of Hope (SVHs) in Kenya—Ugunja, Mituntu, and Mbakalo. Since July 2023, we have continued to focus on expanding access to clean water and empowering communities through health and income-generating programs. These initiatives have not only improved the health of thousands of individuals but are also helping families build more sustainable livelihoods, paving the way for long-term positive change.

Since August 2023, a key achievement in our clean water project has been the transition from distributing P&G sachets to introducing household water filters in partnership with AquaClara across all three Villages of Hope (SVHs). By September 2024, we had distributed over 1,300 water filters, benefiting many families with access to safe drinking water. This shift to more sustainable water solutions, combined with continued P&G sachet distribution, has helped provide clean water to over 17,000 people each month, significantly reducing waterborne diseases—especially critical for families living with HIV. Our AIDS Barefoot Doctors (ABDs) have been integral to the success of this program, ensuring that filters are well-maintained and that community members are educated on how to use and care for them, creating a lasting impact in the community.

Our ABDs have been the heart of our health programs, reaching more than 3,000 people through HIV support groups and home-based care. These dedicated health workers have been on the front lines of supporting families, distributing water filters, conducting home visits, reinforcing good hygiene practices, and leading health education sessions. Beyond health, our AIDS Barefoot Doctors (ABDs) have also led income-generating activities (IGAs), empowering hundreds of clients across 19 support groups to become more financially independent and lift themselves out of poverty. For instance, the Mweronkanga Support Group in Mituntu used a small grant to invest in goat farming, while the Tumaini Joystar Group in Mbakalo focused on creating food security through cereal banking, benefiting dozens of families. ABDs continue to provide essential guidance and support, helping clients grow their businesses and improve their livelihoods.

In addition to these programs, our clinic at SVH Mbakalo has been a vital health resource for the community. Offering services such as consultations, laboratory tests, pharmacy, clinical care (including circumcision), and maternity services (with NHIF coverage), the clinic serves thousands of people every year. The clinic’s comprehensive care is essential for families in the area, providing them with the healthcare they need to thrive and reducing barriers to essential services.

Looking ahead, we remain committed to expanding these programs, with a goal of distributing 2,000 water filters and continuing to support IGAs that provide families with economic independence. It’s critical that we continue supporting our ABDs, who are the backbone of our health and community programs. Their ongoing dedication and hard work are transforming lives across our villages. Your continued support is vital in helping us build stronger, more self-sufficient communities. Together, we will continue to build healthier, more resilient futures for the families we serve. Thank you for being part of this life-changing work!

• Photos_from_the_Field.docx (DOCX)