Itierio Village

Itierio is Global Health Connections 6th village to date. Itierio community is located in Kenya, Kisii County, Bonchari constituency, Bogiakumu ward. 

Itierio village is located in a rural-urban area, which is difficult to access due to poor road infrastructure, especially when it rains.  The village has 150 households and GHC surveyed 56 of those in January of 2021. The survey included questions on their nutritional intake, water sources and their personal/ household hygiene, along with income-producing activities.  The majority of villagers live in mud walled houses with either grass or rusty iron sheet roofs, that leak when it rains. The walls and floors are poorly smeared, and most households keep their utensils on the floor. The compounds are typically not swept and the pit latrines are dirty and unmaintained.  

Most villagers are involved in tree planting, seed propagation and selling timber wood. Several also do contract work on other people's farms. Some households have kitchen gardens but they are not well cultivated and maintained. Most households buy their daily food from nearby markets, which is costly. Most households source their water from unprotected and unhygienic water springs. The springs are far and scarce, thus making it difficult and time consuming to collect water.  Some households treat their water by boiling it, which requires fuel, and that is expensive. Other households believe the water is clean and do not treat it at all. 

Most villagers in itierio village practice poor body hygiene. The children are often dirty with dirty clothes, and walk around without shoes. The majority of households do not sleep under mosquito nets, thus contributing to the high number of malaria cases.  

Our challenges are many in itierio.  But we are hopeful that through our teachings and opportunities we can empower the villagers and help them change behaviors!  Over 80% of Club participants are women, and they are eager and excited to be part of the CHEC.  We will start the first session of the 24-week health curriculum in mid-February of 2022.  We hope to increase the health of the villagers, via improved sanitation, proper water and food storage, and teaching the importance of mosquito nets.  We also hope to engage participants in several income-producing opportunities, which will mostly involve farming and beekeeping.