We work with partners across Kenya to implement a number to approaches to develop palliative care for children.
In Kenya, only 5% of children with terminal or life-limiting illness/disability can access palliative care. There is no dedicated children’s hospice and just one facility providing a dedicated paediatric service.
Child palliative care has the potential to transform the lives of children and their families living with a wide range of conditions. But without it, these children experience distress from unmanaged pain and symptoms, immense emotional strain, and stigma and isolation, preventing them from attending school and participating in play.
Every Child Counts
In 2023 we launched our Every Child Counts project to tackle the critical gaps in child palliative care across Kenya. In the first year, the project has delivered transformative outcomes in Meru, Siaya and Kajiado counties, including:
Increased access to care: 96 children with palliative care needs, a 200% increase, now receive quality, child-focussed palliative care and family support.
Community transformation: We engaged 217 community leaders and religious figures, reducing stigma and fostering inclusive attitudes.
Inclusive schools: 10,000+ school children and 400 teachers were trained, leading to improved identification, referrals, and advocacy for children needing care.
Improved healthcare quality: 85 doctors were trained in paediatric pain management and referrals, reducing mismanagement of children’s pain, and 204 Community Health Volunteers were trained to provide child palliative care and psycho-social support to families of children with palliative care needs in their homes
Family and child quality of life: Family support groups and home visits boosted children’s well-being and family bonds.
“We have been noticing some children with different challenges. Some are always sick and on off at school. Most of the teachers were not aware of their sickness, but after the palliative care talk we as teachers will be on the front line to identify such children and call the hospice team”
A teacher from Siaya Central Primary School
“The training has been of great impact as I can now provide support and accurate information to families with a child with cancer and other conditions which require palliative care in my community. I feel confident to refer children and give valuable advice to parents all because of the skills and knowledge I have learnt.”
Sharon Kajuju, hck trained community health volunteer
Read the full report on the first year of our Every Child Counts project here.
We are delighted to announce that we have now secured funding from generous charitable trust partners to roll-out this project across two further counties. Thank you to the Austin Bailey Foundation!
Other projects in Child Palliative Care
Child Palliative Care Training Webinars – Throughout 2024, we partnered with the Kenya Hospice and Palliative Care Association to deliver a series of training webinars for healthcare and palliative care professionals, focusing on critical aspects of children’s palliative care. The response was incredible – over 500 participants from across Kenya joined us, eager to enhance their skills and improve care for children in need.
Supporting Fathers, Improving Care – In Kwale County, southern Kenya, we’re empowering 100 fathers of children with palliative care needs and disabilities with essential caregiving skills. Through this support, we’re not only helping them provide better care but also strengthening family bonds, keeping families together and equipping them to navigate the daily challenges of raising a child with additional needs.
Our Impact last year…
To see these projects through, and bring this vital work to even more areas of Kenya, we need to raise more funds. Please donate today or sign up to receive email updates on this work and help us make every child count.
Read the stories of some of the amazing, resilient children we have helped:
