Kibera HIV and water and sanitation program, Kenya
Kibera, on the southern edge of Nairobi, is Africa’s largest slum with a population of 170,070 people. Residents of the slum do not have access to running water, sanitation, lighting, refuse collection or health facilities.
Slum conditions, coupled with poverty and overcrowding, means that people are extremely vulnerable to diseases, such as HIV and TB.
Since 1998, AMREF has been working to improve health standards in two regions of Kibera - Laini Saba and Mashimoni. We have funded the construction of a clinic in Laini Saba and are working to reduce levels of disease by improving sanitation and providing education and medical treatment.
Main objectives of the project
- Improve access to essential health services, clean water, and sanitation for 97,000 residents
- Reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS in Kibera and use anti-retroviral medication to treat HIV-positive residents in their homes
AMREF has been able to improve living standards for Kibera residents in tangible ways.
Key achievements
- 57 local laborers have been employed to build 323 latrines and 45 water points - helping to discourage the unhygienic custom of the “flying toilet” in which human waste is dumped on the ground in plastic bags.
- The project has raised awareness about health, sanitation, and hygiene at thirty local schools.
- Recruited community health workers and youth groups to hold regular clean-ups in residential areas.
- Water and sanitation conditions have been improved, reducing diarrheal infections from 24% to 12% in a two-year period.
- Access to health care has been improved by renovating the local clinic and providing extensive training for local health workers.
- The project has increased levels of testing for HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.
- Anti-retroviral treatment has been supplied for 1,000 people living with HIV/AIDS.
- Treatment has been provided for 394 people living with tuberculosis.
- Supplementary vitamins have been given to 2,786 people being treated for HIV/AIDS.
- Specialized medication has been supplied for 40 children living with HIV/AIDS.
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