• Healthcare Access

    Bringing Health Services Closer To The Community

  • Access to quality healthcare remains a challenge for many children and families in rural and underserved communities. Long distances to health facilities, limited resources, and lack of health information often prevent children from receiving timely medical care and proper nutrition.

    At Victoria Friendly Montessori - VFM Kenya, our Health Program works to improve access to quality healthcare and nutrition services for children and communities in Rusinga Island and surrounding areas. By bringing health services closer to the community and strengthening preventive care, we help ensure that children grow healthy and are able to learn and thrive.

    What We Do

    Our health program focuses on strengthening access to basic healthcare services, improving nutrition, and promoting preventive health practices within schools and communities.

    School-Based Health Services

    VFM operates a school-based clinic that provides basic healthcare services to learners. The clinic is run by a certified nurse who attends to common illnesses, provides first aid, and supports the general health needs of the children. This helps ensure that health concerns are identified and addressed early, allowing learners to remain healthy and active in school.

    In addition, we conduct regular growth monitoring to track the physical development of children. This helps identify any nutrition or health concerns early and ensures that learners receive the appropriate support to promote healthy growth and wellbeing.

    Health Referrals and Follow-Up

    We support children and community members who require specialized medical attention by linking them to appropriate health facilities where they can receive the care they need. Our team works closely with nearby health providers to ensure that referrals are handled promptly and that patients are able to access the necessary services.

    After referrals are made, our social workers conduct follow-ups to ensure that the recommended treatment is received and that individuals continue with the required care. This helps ensure that health issues are properly addressed and that children and families receive continued support for their wellbeing.

    Community Health Outreaches

    VFM organizes community health outreach programs to bring essential health services closer to families. Our social workers work closely with community members to mobilize and sensitize them about the importance of accessing health services and participating in the outreach activities.These outreaches are conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, ensuring that qualified health professionals are available to provide services such as health education, basic screenings, and preventive care. Through this partnership, we help communities access reliable health information and services that support healthier families and children.

    Nutrition and Preventive Health

    Nutrition plays a critical role in children’s growth, health, and learning. Our program integrates nutrition support and preventive health interventions to ensure children are healthy and able to participate fully in school.

  • School Feeding Program

    Through our School Feeding Program, learners receive two nutritious meals every day while at school. These meals support children’s health, improve concentration in class, and encourage consistent school attendance. For many learners from vulnerable households, the meals provided at school are often the most reliable source of nutrition during the day.

    Iron Supplementation

    To address micronutrient deficiencies, VFM provides iron supplements to children to help prevent anaemia and support healthy physical and cognitive development.

    Deworming Programs

    Regular deworming activities help prevent intestinal worm infections that can affect children's nutrition, growth, and learning ability.

    Food Relief Support

    During times of food shortages, VFM provides food relief to vulnerable families, helping ensure that children and their households are able to meet their basic nutritional needs.

    Community Food Production

    We support community food production initiatives that encourage families to grow nutritious food locally. This helps strengthen household food security and promotes sustainable nutrition within the community.

  • Our Approach

    Our approach focuses on preventive care, early intervention, and community participation. By combining school-based health services, nutrition programs, and community outreach initiatives, we bring essential healthcare closer to children and families.

    Through this integrated approach, we aim to build healthier communities where children are well nourished, protected from preventable illnesses, and able to fully participate in education and daily life.