Good Health and well-being

Good Health and Well-Being for 2,000 Students in Kenya

Written by Linda Orandi, Board Chairperson, The Kilgoris Project

The Kilgoris Project’s vision is that our students will forge transformative futures for themselves, their families, and their communities. This vision requires significant investment in the health and well-being of our students. TKP’s health and nutrition programs combat serious obstacles in our community as we work toward advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #3 to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all, at all ages.

When I first joined The Kilgoris Project board of directors, one particular photo caught my eye at one of our annual gatherings. It was a close-up of a young girl, dressed in a vibrant head scarf. The expression in her eyes, or lack of expression, made the photo mesmerizing, and I’ve never forgotten it. She seemed to be staring intently, and indifferently, directly at me. I later learned that was the stare of hunger. She had intestinal worms that were robbing her of vital nutrients. Unfortunately, this was not an isolated case. Numerous children in the area, where TKP now operates 12 pre- and primary schools, lacked access to clean water and basic healthcare.

One of these 17 UN goals is focused on ensuring that people of all ages can enjoy healthy lives. The Kilgoris Project is making a difference in global health through our integrated health program serving rural school aged children in western Kenya. The program provides medical services, hygiene education, and access to clean water. Through the help of our trained Student Health Officers, TKP provides an annual head-to-toe well check that includes essential treatments such as Vitamin A supplements to prevent blindness and deworming medication to combat intestinal worms.

TKP’s Assistant Student Health Officer, Belvin Potishoi, is on the front lines with our students every day. Her experiences growing up as a young girl in this culture, combined with her love of children, and an eye for problem-solving, are incredible benefits to our community. Belvin and Amos Leperes, TKP’s Student Health Officer, not only address immediate health concerns, but also monitor for malnutrition, chronic illness, and other issues that impact a student’s well-being.

Big and Small Interventions Make a Difference 

Several years ago, Solomon, a bright student at our Nentekeny campus, received a startling diagnosis during a routine wellness check–a life-threatening heart murmur. The TKP community rallied to organize transportation and logistics, provide financial support, and connect Solomon with a skilled doctor to perform life-saving heart surgery. Solomon’s story is just one of many TKP students who have had life-saving and critical care thanks to the diligence of our Student Health Officers.

In addition to medical services, TKP students receive education on hygiene practices, such as the importance of wearing shoes and washing hands. Menstruating girls have access to feminine hygiene supplies. New campus construction includes the addition of toilets, handwashing stations, and access to clean water. By investing in these programs and practices, TKP supports a healthier environment that leads to higher attendance rates and better education outcomes for all students.

Our work makes a difference, for Solomon, for the girl in the photo, and for the local community. Join the movement to end poverty with TKP, a dynamic leader with a proven model and a mission to prioritize health, education, food security and nutrition, and empower the world’s most vulnerable populations. Your generous support of TKP and other organizations united in this effort means you are making a difference not only locally in Kilgoris, but on a global scale. Whether a newcomer or a longtime donor, your investment is driving a significant impact in rural Kenya and beyond. So together, let's tackle this critical challenge and create a world where poverty is no longer a barrier to opportunity and thriving communities.