Young Health Programme

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, strokes, cancers, diabetes and respiratory diseases account for 27% of deaths, many premature, in Kenya and pose a huge threat to young urban men and women. The Programme aims to reduce the risk behaviours which can trigger NCDs, such as substance abuse, harmful use of alcohol, and a lack of physical exercise, as well as those which damage adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health (ASRH).

This five-year project aims to contribute to improved health and gender equality of girls and boys between 10-24 years of age in Kibera, Nairobi will specifically ensure that girls and boys aged 10-24 years of age in the urban slum of Kibera, Nairobi are practicing fewer risky behaviours due to an increased capacity to make informed choices and to protect their health, now and in the future. The focus of this Programme is on risk behaviors which can lead to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). The 5 risk behaviours include tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, risky sexual behaviours, physical inactivity and poor eating habits.

improving lerning outcomes for marginalized girls in Kenya

Activity 1.6 Capacity Building of Peer Educators

During the period under review, the project conducted annual capacity building and mentorship (team building) with Peer Educators to enhance teamwork, communication skills, conflict management, and self-awareness. The two-days residential exercise was conducted at Jumuia Hotel and Conference Centre – Limuru. A total of 34 peer educators, five AMURT staff, and one Plan International representative took part in the event. To effectively achieve the objective; the sessions were executed under the following activities:

The lessons learned from “fill the bottle” exercise included:

That when a team jointly agrees on how to achieve their goal and all members unwaveringly work towards realizing the same then the team has higher chances for success
That is a team, it is not prudent to have everyone leading or taking charge. A team performs better when one leader coordinates its activities, with each team member allocated specific tasks/roles for the success of the whole team.
That short-cut are no substitutes for achieving good results, we have to play by the rules for a clear and just win as a team. Honesty is very crucial

Activity 1.6.2: Support Peer Educators in monthly reporting and mentorship

Project review, reporting and mentorship is as important as implementation of other project activities. During the period under review, monthly review and mentorship meetings took place at the cluster levels. A total of 144 mentorship and review meetings were conducted. This entailed review of previous YHP activities done, planning for the upcoming activities, project dynamics addressed through mentorships. Below is a photo of members of Lainisinga actively engaging in their monthly mentorship and planning meeting. This happens in the project cluster areas.

Since the project’s inception in January 2020, the following achievements have been recorded;

Entry processes: The project team managed to meet key people and stakeholders at the county and sub-county level to introduce the project and establish a working relationship with them. Project implementation takes place at Matsangoni and Tezo wards in Kilifi north sub-county and Jaribuni and Sokoke wards in Ganze sub-county. The implementation areas were unanimously agreed upon after meeting the project’s selection criteria and partners’ guidance.
Mapping of stakeholders: Mapping of stakeholders and identification of the affiliate departments within the national and Kilifi county governments was done. Other organizations such as plan international, world vision, CRS, KESHO, Compassion international, KWETU among others have been identified and a stakeholders map developed.
Mapping of stakeholders: Mapping of stakeholders and identification of the affiliate departments within the national and Kilifi county governments was done. Other organizations such as plan international, world vision, CRS, KESHO, Compassion international, KWETU among others have been identified and a stakeholders map developed.
Mapping of ECD centres: The exercise of mapping ECD centres within the areas of project implementation was done.120 ECD centres were identified and baseline information was obtained which will help in tracking change during project implementation.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning: Basic M & E tools have been developed by the project team with the support of the senior M&E officer. This included mapping tools, CHVs selection criteria, CHVs and CPVs terms of reference, the M&E plan, Indicator Performance Tracking Tool, Referral tools among others.
Recruitment of CPVs and CHVs: Selection of CPVs and CHVs who are the project’s fundamental community work force was done through the guidance and support of the department of health and children services.
Identification of young mothers for TVET: The project identified young mothers to be supported in enrolling and learning at technical and vocational institutions where they will receive skills to see them through employment and/or establishment of income-generating activities for economic resilience.

Project Objectives

The YHP in Kenya will work to bring about three key results:

Access to information and resources on the prevention of NCDs and SRH
Creation of an enabling, community environment for the protection and promotion of adolescent health
Government services and policies that are responsive to the health risks and rights of young people

Geographical coverage

The project covers 8 villages of Kibra in Nairobi county namely: