Saving Kenya's Environment Through Family Planning

When CHAT’s CORP Partner Agnes walks through the dry, dusty hills of Mchongoi in Baringo, she is reminded of the twin challenges every household faces: large families and a fragile environment. The Mid-Great Rift Valley has suffered years of deforestation, overgrazing, and erratic rainfall. Families here depend on the land, yet it can no longer sustain the growing population.

Agnes often thinks of Chebet, a woman she met four years ago, whose journey has become a symbol of hope. At 33, Chebet had nine children. Her husband struggled to provide, and their once fertile land was bare. Firewood and water were scarce, and meals were uncertain. Their homestead sat on degraded land that had once been a communal forest.

During one of Agnes’ visits, she explained how family size, women’s health, and environmental strain are deeply connected. Chebet listened and agreed to visit the local dispensary, where she received a three-year contraceptive method.

That decision marked the start of transformation. With fewer childcare demands, Chebet regained her strength. She joined Agnes’ group sessions, learning about family planning and sustainable practices. Inspired, she and her eldest daughter began planting drought-resistant trees and joined a communal kitchen garden project. They also started keeping goats, which provided milk and manure for their crops.

Two years later, their home was greener. Trees offered shade and fuel, reducing the need to cut down more. Goat milk added to the family income, and her children were healthier and able to attend school more regularly. Her husband, initially skeptical, saw the change—less conflict, more food, and a visibly healthier wife. He joined a men’s dialogue group to learn more about family planning and sustainable living.

Today, Chebet says, “I used to think having many children secured my place as a wife. Now I see that giving my children a better life and protecting our land is more important.”

For Agnes and CHAT, this is what their work is about—empowering families to make informed choices that benefit both their well-being and the environment.

Thanks to GlobalGiving donors, in just the last three months, CHAT has:

• Reached 3,844 individuals with behavior change communication (BCC),

•  Provided 1,098 clients with modern contraceptives,

• Supported 901 clients in choosing long-term methods lasting 3–5 years.

Chebet’s journey shows how family planning, health, and environmental conservation go hand in hand.

A story by CORP Mercy  

(*Names have been changed for privacy.)

As a Community Own Resource Person (CORP) working with CHAT, I’ve had the opportunity to meet many women in my community. Still, one story that has stayed with me is that of Mary* and her family in Kandebene.

Mary is a 29-year-old farmer, raising three young children with her husband, David*, who works at a flower farm on the slopes of Mt. Kenya. When I met her during one of my door-to-door visits, she was already using the Depo Provera injection—a three-month injectable pregnancy protection family planning method. She told me she had started using it after learning about family planning from friends. But while it worked at first, she often struggled to make the regular clinic visits, and the cost became a burden. She shared her fears of falling pregnant again before she was ready.

I sat with her that afternoon and explained the different family planning options available, especially the long-term ones. We talked about how the five-year contraceptive implant could give her peace of mind and more time to care for her family. After asking a few questions and thinking it over, Mary made her decision: she wanted the implant.

A few days later, I accompanied her to receive the service.

“I don’t want more children,” she told me. “And with the implant, I feel secure and relieved. It gives me time to focus on raising my children well.”

What touched me most was the support she received from her husband. Together with the help of relatives, they are committed to ensuring their children attend school and have a better future. Mary’s face lit up when she spoke of her dreams—of her children growing up to be educated, responsible, and caring individuals.

“For us, family planning helps us live peacefully,” she said. “Each of my children gets the attention they need, and I feel more in control of my life.”

Her words reminded me why I do this work. It’s an honour to walk alongside women like Mary and share information and choices that empower them. I’m grateful to CHAT for equipping us CORPs to reach communities that would otherwise go without knowledge of FP or access to the services. And I’m proud to see the difference we’re making—one family at a time.

"Family planning isn’t just about people—it’s about preserving the planet for future generations." – David Attenborough.

Thanks to the generous support of GG, CHAT successfully shared

• Behaviour change information (BCC) with 4,179 individuals over the past three months.
• Additionally, 1,091 family planning clients received various contraceptive methods of their choice.