Kanyamfwa Village

FAST FACTS:

Village Location: HOMA BAY COUNTY

# of Villagers: 4,000

Village Started: OCTOBER 2022

# of Households Surveyed: 100

# of Villagers Who Started in the CHEC:  100

Graduation Date: MAY 30, 2023

# Graduated from Health Training: 73

# of Participants in Economic Training: 73

2023/2024 Primary Economic Groups: 

CEREALS (33 MEMBERS)

TAILORING/SEWING (14 MEMBERS)

RICE FARMING (9 MEMBERS)

WATER PURIFICATION (15 MEMBERS)

Kanyamfwa is Global Health Connections’ fourth village in Homa Bay County, located 17 kilometers north of Olare Village, GHC’s first village in the region.

In mid-October 2022, the GHC team conducted baseline surveys assessing the health, economic, and social conditions of 100 households in Kanyamfwa. The following week, GHC launched its 24-week health training curriculum. Remarkably, all surveyed households chose to join the Community Health and Empowerment Club (CHEC).

The baseline findings highlighted significant challenges in Kanyamfwa. The village faced extreme poverty, with most homes constructed from mud and poles. Poor sanitation was pervasive, with widespread open defecation and limited access to toilets or latrines, often shared among neighbors. The primary water source—a contaminated river—was used for both drinking and bathing without treatment, leading to frequent waterborne diseases. Additionally, poor drainage caused regular flooding in household compounds, and handwashing was virtually nonexistent. Many children suffered from ringworm and other preventable illnesses.

Despite these hardships, the community embraced GHC’s support with enthusiasm. Members were eager to learn about disease prevention, hygiene improvement, water treatment methods, and new economic opportunities designed to enhance their quality of life. GHC is excited to partner with Kanyamfwa and is committed to fostering sustainable, transformative change in this resilient community.

In May 2023, GHC proudly celebrated the graduation of 73 members from its health training curriculum. These members demonstrated outstanding commitment and engagement throughout the program, guided by our dedicated Project Coordinator, Salome. Her exceptional teaching and training empowered members to adopt healthier practices. Surprise household visits revealed significant improvements in household cleanliness, including proper dishwashing and drying practices supported by newly built drying racks. Many members installed tippy tap handwashing stations outside their latrines, and most have started preparing kitchen gardens. For those without access to land, innovative sack gardening has provided a viable solution. The progress made by this community is truly inspiring!

All 73 graduates have since advanced to economic training, focusing on projects such as cereal reselling, tailoring and sewing, rice farming, and a water purification initiative. These efforts are key steps toward achieving a sustainable future for the village.

The Kanyamfwa community is vibrant, resourceful, and highly motivated