CRS Work in Kenya
Even as some Kenyans make economic gains, most people live on less than $2 a day. Poor governance and high unemployment rates add to the challenges. Many pastoralists (herders) and small-scale farmers also face food shortages, particularly in arid and semiarid areas. Catholic Relief Services addresses these issues in Kenya by working with partners in four key programming areas.
HIV and AIDS
In Kenya, 1.2 million people are infected with HIV. The number of orphans continues to rise as more and more children lose their parents to HIV-related infections. CRS Kenya is responding to the pandemic by providing free care and treatment to people living with HIV and by supporting orphans and vulnerable children.
As the lead agency of the AIDSRelief consortium funded by the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, CRS supports quality HIV care services for more than 58,150 Kenyans—including over 25,160 clients on antiretroviral therapy—at 25 faith-based health facilities. CRS also provides assistance to 35,300 orphans, vulnerable children, HIV-positive clients and caregivers through our AIDS, Population, and Health Integrated Assistance projects on the coast and in the Rift Valley, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). In addition, CRS' privately funded The Children Behind project serves 16,350 HIV-affected orphans, vulnerable children and their caregivers in Nyanza province, providing them with critical medical, educational, counseling and food support.
Integral Human Development
CRS initiatives strive to enhance the quality of life in Kenyan communities. To improve the health of young children, CRS is teaching mothers about nutrition and increasing the capacity of caretakers and health care providers to recognize and treat childhood illnesses. CRS also works with communities to increase access to clean water by rehabilitating and replacing existing water facilities. Hygiene education further improves the overall health of communities served.
In addition, CRS helps small-scale farmers increase their incomes through a variety of agricultural projects. Through our local partners, CRS Kenya also responds to emergencies such as drought or flood.
While the majority of Kenyans are literate, inadequate facilities and low enrollment hinder education in the Coast and North Eastern provinces, where girls also face gender inequality. Through the USAID-funded Education for Marginalized Children in Kenya consortium, led by the Aga Khan Foundation, CRS works to increase access to quality education among school-age children. The program improves school management, trains teachers and administrators, and encourages parental support for education. The consortium also pays school fees for the poorest children and helps improve school facilities.
Peace and Justice
Poor governance, conflict and violations of human rights are problematic in Kenya. To help Kenyans improve security and foster respect and mutual trust, CRS spearheads initiatives focused on peace and justice. CRS projects promote peace by lobbying and advocating for good and responsible governance at all levels in Kenya. CRS is also building relationships between Kenyans and U.S. citizens to promote cross-cultural sharing, peace and global understanding.
Microfinance
One effective way poor families can improve their quality of life is to build and leverage their own savings to increase income. CRS assists by organizing savings and internal lending communities (SILC). CRS' innovative SILC methodology helps communities form savings and lending groups that encourage members to save small amounts of money each week, typically 50 cents or a dollar. Members can then withdraw loans against these savings to start small businesses, such as opening kiosk shops or purchasing a goat for breeding. CRS Kenya promotes SILC groups in all of our programs, including HIV and AIDS, agriculture, and water and sanitation initiatives.
