Supporting Healthcare in Kenya Through Ndoto Zetu

Ndoto Zetu, launched 2019, is an initiative by the Safaricom Foundation to partner with Kenyans keen to make a difference in their communities through social investments. Since its inception, Ndoto Zetu has executed over 600 projects worth Ksh 90 million, ranging from Ksh 40,000 such as sanitary towels distribution, to initiatives worth Ksh 1.5 million like donation of maternity equipment to hospitals positively impacting close to 2 million Kenyans.

The initiative focuses on health, education and economic empowerment projects and Safaricom has set aside Ksh 100 million for successfully submitted projects.

Access to quality healthcare is pivotal in the development of a community. This is why health is a pillar in the Ndoto Zetu initiative. Over the years, a number of great community health projects have been funded thanks to community members who took the step to amplify the need and the work being done.

One of the key healthcare areas that has received funding for various projects is maternal healthcare. Improving the outcomes of maternal healthcare is a great start in the care for future generations. Healthy mothers translate to healthy children and healthy communities.

Some of the projects that have benefitted from Ndoto Zetu support include:

Provide International

Lucy, a social worker at Korogocho, got to experience first-hand what poverty was doing to slum families. Women and families could not afford quality maternal healthcare. Some would resort to unconventional options which were unhealthy. Lucy decided to reach out to Ndoto Zetu to partner with her organization to help the community she assists. Provide international was able to supply the mothers in Korogocho slums with Mama pads, basins, and other amenities to aid them after delivery. This was a step to ensure easier maternal health care for the new mums.

Manoa Dispensary

Manoa Dispensary lacked adequate equipment to perform deliveries. Prior to this, women would deliver babies on their way to the hospital or at home. Given that sometimes they would have to travel long distances in order to access maternal healthcare facilities, some of them lacked fare and transportation to get there. This posed a major challenge and a risk to the mothers.

Through Ndoto Zetu, they acquired delivery beds, baby warmers, a medicine trolley, and a TV set, all worth Ksh 900,000.

Mazeras Health Centre

Mazeras Health centre did not have equipment to help women deliver successfully. As a result, women would resort to delivering their babies at home, which can be unsafe in the absence of professionals. Alternatively, they would have to travel long distances to give birth. They managed to get units for the maternity wing including maternity beds, bed warmers, and a TV set, all worth 400,000 Kenya shillings. This will make the childbirth process as a whole more comfortable and safe.

SPHEC Care Centre

Nairobi’s Dagoretti residents have everything to be grateful for with regards to maternal healthcare. Thanks to Ndoto Zetu, SPHEC Care Centre’s Maternity wing received equipment worth 300,000 Kenya shillings.

Hassan Otieno, a nurse in charge at the facility, was extremely grateful for the 5 beds and standard delivery couch donated to them by Ndoto Zetu. The substandard couches they had before were cumbersome and tiresome. The midwives would be extremely tired of delivering babies with the substandard couches, and this obviously affected their ability to do their job well. They applied to Ndoto Zetu and got positive and swift feedback.

Wiyumirire Health Centre

Wiyumirire Health centre, located in Laikipia, did not have adequate facilities and expectant mothers would previously have to be transferred to other facilities due to the lack of resources at the health centre. This has changed with funding added up to 500,000 Kenya shillings. Peris Wambui, a mother and beneficiary, says that previously they would have to travel all the way to Nyeri or Nyahururu to access maternal healthcare facilities.

Tulia Dispensary

In Machakos county, women had to travel a long distance to deliver children. They would end up having unsafe deliveries in their homes or giving birth on the road. The mothers at the Tulia Dispensary in Machakos had no beds to rest in and they had to be sent home two hours after giving birth. This meant that they could not undergo monitoring and proper medical procedure after childbirth. Some would develop complications once they got home.

If you wish to partner with Ndoto Zetu for ab economic empowerment project, send your submission through Safaricom Foundation’s Ndoto Zetu website or visit any Safaricom Retail Shop and fill in an application form for a chance to have your community dream realized. Successful participants will be contacted by the Safaricom Foundation through 0722 000 000.