Saving Kenya's Environment Through Family Planning

*Not their real names

Amidst the echoes of dreams in Kasarani Slum in Elburgon on the Mau in central Kenya, a heart-warming tale of transformation unfolded- the story of *Njoki, a resilient 33-year-old mother of five boys. Mary, a compassionate CORP partnering CHAT, was doing her usual house-to-house family planning (fp) sensitisation. Mary had been invited to sensitise the women during their Chama (a popular simple funding grassroots method otherwise known as ‘merry-go-round’) by a client who had benefited from being able to access fp a year back. She was bold and had a very interactive discussion with the women.

At the gathering’s heart, Njoki's curiosity was piqued. Mary's words seemed to revive her hopes amid her challenges. Doubts melted away like morning mist as questions found answers. The evening was not meant for dinner; that day, the evening was meant for a discussion of change, where Mary, Njoki and her husband met. Mary painted FP’s vivid picture, with manageable family sizes becoming a masterpiece of hope. At the same time, the couple nodded in agreement and embraced to choose to take the five-year pregnancy protection method of contraception.

Action followed. With Mary's referral, Njoki would confidently visit the Elburgon Hospital the following day. This marked just the beginning. Empowered by Mary, she dared to dream and later started a new vegetable kiosk in the growing Kasarani slum. Njoki is now a happy woman who supports her husband to sustain the family.

Mary's visits fortified their connection. Njoki's kiosk became a haven for wisdom and transformation, with women gathering for more than just vegetables. Mary's frequent visits to the kiosk in the evenings continue to ‘bear fruit’, changing the stories of many women who visit Njoki’s place. She had never thought her effort that day would result in such a series of many lives positively impacted by simply knowing how and being able to access fp services.

Thanks to GG support, in the past three months, CHAT reached 8,298 individuals with behaviour change information (BCC). 1,182fp clients received different contraception methods of their choice, of which 998 chose the long-term pregnancy protection methods - of either 3 or 5 years - against unwanted pregnancies.

“Contraceptives unlock one of the most dormant but potentially powerful assets in development: women as decision-makers. When women have the power to make choices about their families, they tend to decide precisely what demographers, economists, and development experts recommend. They invest in the long-term human capital of their families,” – Melinda Gates.