The GHC team with Soklo officials and CHEC members
About Soklo
FAST FACTS:
Village Location: HOMA BAY COUNTY
# of Villagers: 1200-1400
Village Started: SEPTEMBER 2024
# of Households Surveyed: 125
# of Villagers Who Started in the CHEC: 125
Graduation Date:
# Graduated from Health Training:
# of Participants in Economic Training:
Primary Economic Groups:
Soklo, Global Health Connections’ 6th village in Homa Bay County, is a community of over 200 households, each with 1 to 10 people, located in the heart of Mfangano Island. This picturesque island sits in Lake Victoria, off Kenya’s western coast, and can be accessed by ferry. The Soklo CHEC is one of two remote projects GHC is piloting, alongside Kimuka Village in Kajiado County.
Over 13 weeks, GHC remotely trained a local team based on Mfangano, followed by a 3-day practical session in Kisii. Now fully trained, the Soklo CHEC team is ready to carry out the mission and vision of Global Health Connections.
In late September 2024, GHC conducted baseline health, economic, and social impact surveys with 125 Soklo households. Remarkably, all households surveyed decided to join the CHEC.
The surveys revealed significant challenges in Soklo. Despite being surrounded by water, the villagers lack access to clean drinking water. They also face limited healthcare, financial illiteracy, and scarce economic opportunities outside of fishing. Gender-based violence is prevalent, and the community struggles with disunity.
Despite these challenges, GHC has high hopes for Soklo. The villagers are welcoming and eager to learn about WASH, disease prevention, financial literacy, social empowerment, and how to uplift their community through new economic activities. GHC is excited about this pilot project on Mfangano Island and is confident the remote team will succeed in empowering all 125 members. We aim to create sustainable, lasting change in Soklo and expand our CHEC model to other villages on the island.