We have worked with the South Rift Association of Land Owners (SORALO), located in Kenya’s South Rift Valley, since 2021, when we helped launch their first community health programme. Much like the CHASE Africa ethos, SORALO have always held a holistic commitment to the wellbeing of people and the preservation of the land and wildlife around them.
The programme has trained and supported Community Health Workers, conducted regular dialogues, facilitated Backpack Nurse Clinics and larger outreach clinics to provide maternal, reproductive and child health to the most remote communities in the area.
During a recent visit we attended an outreach clinic and several Youth Peer Mentors (YPMs) conducted a dynamic and interactive dialogue to engage youth and provide information about their health. These types of outreach clinics provide essential healthcare, including family planning, by travelling to the most remote areas and reaching those people who have no easy access to a health centre or hospital.
Outreach clinic in Amboseli
One of the people attending the outreach clinic was Esther, a young mother currently pregnant with her 6th child. Esther’s young baby had been suffering with fever and an eye issue. She usually faces a long, gruelling journey to reach the nearest medical centre, which is challenging while she cares for her 5 children. Esther’s situation is not uncommon in the remote areas of the Rift Valley in Kenya where SORALO operates.
Esther was able to access medicine for her baby and was given a referral to a follow up community support visit and hopes that one day her community may have its own permanent medical centre.
“I was so happy that the outreach medical services came to our community. I usually face a journey of over 6km to reach the nearest clinic. I hope that the outreach clinic will come often and that we might have our own medical centre one day”
Esther, young mother at outreach clinic
Teenage pregnancy is common across East Africa, with some mothers as young as 12. As well as the impact on education and future prospects, young girls bodies are often not developed enough for safe childbirth, which can lead to higher rates of birth complications for mother and baby.
Esther, Young mother of 6
Youth Peer Mentors
Youth Peer Mentors are recruited from within their communities and provide guidance, support and mentorship to their peers, based around shared experiences, mutual understanding and empathy. They are trained in communication and counselling as well as careers advice and often provide a source of inspiration and comfort to their peer group.
We spoke to Cynthia, a Youth Peer Mentor, who works with young people and adolescents in the area that she lives.
Cynthia said of her role:
“I like being a youth peer mentor and a positive influence on the young people in the community, I want to help them achieve their goals for the future. I believe there is nothing to stop an empowered generation of youth and educated women. Educating a woman helps empower the whole community as they can make money to provide for their families and educate the future generation.”
Cynthia, Youth Peer Mentor
We also spoke to another Youth Peer Mentor Sararah. Sararah was motivated to became a Youth Peer Mentor on account of the challenges his own mother had faced. She had been married at 15 and was only 16 when she had him. He is keen to help as many people in his community to not face the same challenges he and his mother have faced.
Sararah said of the activity-based dialogues he runs:
“We run a number of activities, breaking each one down so that we can all get involved and learn about adolescence and and sexual and reproductive health together, through shared experience and information.”
Sararah was very passionate about his role and the positive effect on his peers of the work he does within the community.
“Boys and men are equal to girls and women, no one is above the other one. There is a common notion that men are superior to women but all the challenges and activities we have gone through show that we are all equal”.
Sararah, Youth Peer Mentor
"I don't wish for children my age or younger to face the same challenges I have. My mother was still a young girl when she gave birth to me."
Sararah,
Youth Peer Mentor
CHASE Africa's work on youth and adolescents represents a vital contribution to improving health, education and economic opportunities for young people in East Africa. By providing access to information, resources and support, we are empowering young people to make informed decisions about their health and future, in turn building stronger, more resilient communities.
Each day young girls face the reality of teenage pregnancy, child marriage and limited access to healthcare and services. Our work with our partners is designed to promote positive outcomes for the next generation.