Acting on Evidence:Â What We Learned from our TechCraft Pilot
“We don’t only collect data to prove a program works; we collect it because we believe there is always room for improvement.”
Using data and partnerships to drive progress and inform policies
Informal settlements are dynamic, constantly changing environments, requiring organizations to adapt to evolving needs. Challenges to conducting research in these communities include frequent movement, lack of permanent addresses, and limited communication methods.
Despite participating in many studies, residents often see little tangible benefit from the research. CFK Africa is changing that narrative. From monitoring for infectious disease outbreaks to improving education quality through evidence-based best practices, we lead actionable research with institutional partners to identify pressing issues, improve programming, and inform effective policies.
CFK Africa has established an equitable research platform built on a participatory development approach and 20+ years of experience working in informal settlements. By investing in implementation research and community collaborations, we develop data-driven, impactful maternal and child health, community health, education, girls’ empowerment, and youth economic development interventions that others can use as global models.
We co-host and operate one of the CDC’s largest overseas population-based infectious disease surveillance (PBIDS) platforms at our Tabitha Medical Clinic. This initiative measures and responds to infectious diseases among around 30,000 residents in Kibera to inform programs, public health response, and national policy. This PBIDS platform has produced nearly 100 research publications that can inform public health globally.
We are a major affiliated entity of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Our mutually beneficial relationship with UNC positively supports our ability to mobilize research funds and engage with faculty and students. This special relationship also provides valuable experiential learning opportunities for students through our Peacock Fellowship.
With Dr. Sean Sylvia, Professor of Health Economics, we are pioneering e-health innovations and localized AI case studies for a new mobile health app.
In partnership with Dr. Stephanie Martin, Associate Professor of Nutrition, we are leading studies to understand adolescent diets and physical activity in slums.
CFK Africa provides UNC students with immersive fellowship opportunities for collaboration and co-learning alongside our team in Kenya.
“We don’t only collect data to prove a program works; we collect it because we believe there is always room for improvement.”
CFK Africa welcomes four Peacock Fellows to our team this summer.
“Change is rarely linear, impact takes time, and contexts change, especially in dynamic environments like the informal settlements in which CFK Africa works.”