Brighter Communities Worldwide’s Kenyan office is based in the town of Londiani which is 220km northwest of Nairobi, in Londiani sub-county, Kericho County. This is a remote region and scores below the national average on all key indicators. The prevalence of child and maternal mortality is high (45 per 1000; circa 500 per 100,000 live births) and only 20% of mothers deliver with the assistance of a skilled birth attendant. 25% of the population have access to an improved water source – leading to women and girls spending a lot of time collecting water. 11.8% of the population have access to electricity.

Agriculture & infrastructure

In this area, according to the Kenya Population Situation Analysis (2013), over 70% of people plant regular crops for household consumption. This Population Survey found that almost half the population live in traditional homesteads, informal shacks or houses built from mud blocks and over 65% of the respondents have no electricity in their dwelling units. Over half the homes have no running water. Parts of this District has poor infrastructure and the unpaved roads make transport difficult. During the rainy season they often become impassable.

Health conditions

There are many health conditions prevalent in this area including malaria, respiratory infections, water borne diseases and HIV/AIDS.

The AIDS pandemic has affected this area and there are many AIDS orphans though exact numbers are not available. Nationally the statistic for adults infected with HIV (aged 15 years to 49) 5.6% of which 6.9% women and 4.4% men (Kenya Population Situation Analysis 2013). The true extent of the problem however is unconfirmed as AIDS often goes undiagnosed and often there is a stigma attached to being identified as HIV positive.

Healthcare provision

Healthcare is divided into clinical or curative care which incorporates health facilities, hospitals and the staff thereof; and public health which includes water, sanitation, health promotion and disease preventative programmes.

Brighter Communities Worldwide works closely with the Ministry of Health to rollout the Community Health Strategy across this area.

Education

There are many primary and secondary schools in the sub-counties offering a choice between public and private education, day schools and boarding schools.