Gender Equality Kenya Project #32427

Give HIV+ mothers in Kenya a future

by ChildsLife International

Summary

ChildsLife in Kenya, established in 1998, creates innovative development programs, one of which is Live, Learn, Earn (LLE) designed for HIV+ women/girls in Nairobi slums who have limited access to medical care. The LLE program offers women psycho-social support, nutrition packages, kitchen gardens and business training with small grants, allowing women to start their own business. To date, 1800 women have successfully finished LLE and lead a longer, healthier and financially independent life.

$6,138
total raised

48
donors

0
monthly donors

1
fundraiser

5
years

Challenge

Over a million people live in Nairobi slums, under a $1 a day, with no formal access to education or medical care. Women in the slums have no protection from rape or violence. Kenya has the 4th largest HIV epidemic in the world with young women of reproductive age three times more likely to be infected, putting their lives and of their future babies in peril. Many HIV+ women/girls are in desperate need of support and medical care, and reaching out to those in slums is challenging.

Solution

ChildsLife in collaboration with Last Mile4D introduced an innovative technology which allows health workers to reach out to HIV+ women. Using Mobikits, uniquely bundled solar powered backpacks with information communication technology, health workers can now reach every woman at the point of care in the slums, provide medical care and connect women to local clinics. By increasing the number of health workers with Mobikits, ChildsLife will be able to intensify support to the number of HIV+women.

Long-Term Impact

Through the ChildsLife Live, Learn, Earn program the financial, physical and psychological state of 1800 HIV+ mothers and their 9000 children has drastically improved. Women have regained their independence and rebuilt a future for themselves and their children. With the introduction of Mobikit within the program many more women and girls can be reached. This will lead to improved health of women and possibly a generation of babies growing up healthy with their mothers and without HIV.