Our plan in Kenya

Plan is working at the grassroots level in Kenya to help communities to make real and lasting change, so that their children have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Plan began working in Kenya, in East Africa, in 1982.  Plan Kenya currently has programs in the Coast (Kwale and Kilifi), Eastern (Tharaka, Embu and Machakos), Nyanza (Kisumu, Bondo and Homabay) and Central (Nairobi) provinces which aim to address the following issues affecting children:

• High child and maternal illnesses and death
• Inadequate access to basic services
• Early childhood development
• High incidences of sexual transmitted infections and HIV andAIDS
• Poor family planning and harmful cultural practices
• Low income levels  
• Low participation of children and communities in their development initiatives
• Poor school attendance
• Low community awareness on child rights and protection

Plan's programs and strategies to address these issues include:

Education

Kenya experiences a high drop out and repetition rate in schools.  Plan Kenya works to improve access to pre and primary school and improve children's performance at school.  Plan also supports communities to create a safer and conducive learning environment and encourages communities to manage its schools.

Health

Maternal and child illnesses and deaths remain the major health problem in Kenya, where deaths are mainly due to inadequate access to health services, safe water and sanitation. Plan Kenya works to increase community awareness and access to health information, health services and water and sanitation.

HIV and AIDS

High incidences of HIV and AIDS is depriving families, communities and the country of their young and most productive people and is a major contributor to the increasing numbers of orphaned children.  Plan Kenya works to increase awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding the disease, while also improving access to information and services on sexual and reproductive health and HIV and AIDs.  Plan is also strengthening community support systems for orphans and vulnerable children.

Household economic security

Kenyan household security is often influenced by traditional farming practices and climatic conditions such as floods and drought.  Plan Kenya works to increasing productivity of agriculture, livestock and fisheries, ensure environmental protection and natural resources management and also to increase access to sustainable financial services.

Promoting and enhancing community organisations

Plan Kenya assists strengthening self-representation for children and youth organisations.  Plan also works to enhance communitiesâ#€#™# capacities on local resource mobilisation and also awareness of child and women's rights and protection.

Country Facts

Country	Kenya	Australia
Flag
Population	33.4 Million	21 Million
Language	Swahili	English
Capital	Nairobi	Canberra
GDP per capita (USD/year)	481	$37,300
Life expectancy	47.5	81.5
Access to safe drinking water	61%	100%
Literacy	76.3%	100%
Source:	United Nations: Millennium Development Goals Report 2006