Meet Teddy: Youth Health and Empowerment Advocate
Teddy helps bridge the gap between youth and healthcare providers, breaking down barriers that keep young people from accessing the support they need.
Laying a foundation of life-long health.
Informal settlements face limited access to health care, the spread of infectious diseases, high rates of maternal and child mortality, and poor health-seeking behaviors. We provide essential services to improve the health and well-being of slum residents, delivering high-quality primary healthcare services, engaging in community outreach, and leading public health surveillance.
Our facilities are trusted among community residents for providing quality care.
Moving beyond clinic walls, we take health services directly into the community.
We gather health information to enable rapid identification and response to potential health threats.
Located in the heart of Kibera, our Tabitha Medical Clinic is a one-stop-shop for primary health care services. Our full-scale medical facility hosts one of the largest urban infectious disease surveillance platforms that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has established globally in an informal settlement.
We provide quality, accessible maternal and child health services that support patients in the entire continuum of pregnancy and newborn care. Our Tabitha Maternity Home provides affordable services including community health education, ante- and post-natal care, emergency transportation, and labor and delivery. We also help new parents navigate the health care needs of their children.
Most youth do not seek health care because of stigma and fear of receiving services around adults. To address this gap, we established the first-of-its-kind Youth Friendly Services Center (YFS) in 2019 in Kibera, providing a comfortable and confidential setting for youth to access services related to physical, mental, and sexual and reproductive health. We engage Youth Peer Providers to conduct community outreach, build trust, and provide approachable guidance.
Our nutrition program focuses on preventing, identifying, and treating malnutrition among children under 5, ensuring they reach physical and cognitive development milestones. We integrate malnutrition screening and treatment throughout our health facilities and partner with the government, work closely with community health promoters, and partner with Early Childhood Development Centres to strengthen nutrition services.
Access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) is vital to preventing infectious diseases but remains limited in informal settlements. By enhancing WaSH infrastructure in schools, training community members in soap-making, supporting school health clubs, and conducting water quality tests, we help ensure the right to safe WaSH for all.
patients served at Tabitha Medical Clinic annually.
babies delivered annually at Tabitha Maternity Home.
youth seek healthcare services at YFS.
Teddy helps bridge the gap between youth and healthcare providers, breaking down barriers that keep young people from accessing the support they need.
“This experience has once again reminded me of the importance of cultural competence in public health initiatives and the value of shared experiences in fostering empathy and understanding.”
“They gave me the best information, and now I can pass it on to others who may not know where to turn.”
Who We Are
CFK Africa is a registered NGO in Kenya and 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the U.S. that empowers youth in slums.
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