Kenya

In the Kajiado region, we support the MAA Eroret School, a school for Maasai children. There the children not only receive an education, but also a free hot lunch – for many of them that is the only meal of the day. They are also taught about and strengthened in their Maasai culture. Thanks to the newly built boarding school girls from distant areas can now also attend classes regularly.

In 2023 the construction of a well by Austrian Doctors was a major step forward. This made it possible to start an agricultural project in 2024. The fields around the school are now used to grow their own vegetables – an important contribution to the school’s food security. At the same time the pupils receive practical training in modern agricultural methods.

We are also trying to counter the dramatic consequences of climate change, which are particularly serious in Kenya, with sustainable measures. In 2024 Austrian Doctors launched a reforestation program to act against the increasing drought and soil erosion and to secure livelihoods in the long term.

In Kisumu – another disadvantaged rural region –  we support a nursery school and a community center. Regular workshops are held on important topics such as family planning, sexual health, women’s rights and climate change. The programs give the local people important insights to improve their living conditions independently.

Additionally we are offering basic medical care in both project regions.

Help in the rural regions of Kenya

Kenya is located in East Africa and has a population of around 58 million. Many of the large companies are owned by foreign investors, while the local population usually only has poorly paid jobs. As a result the gap between rich and poor is widening. Especially people in rural areas have few job opportunities. The situation has deteriorated even further due to long periods of drought. The largest economic sector is agriculture.

Climate change is a major problem for the many small farmers as rainfall is no longer regular and has become unpredictable. Many children have to leave school at a young age in order to go to work. Particularly children in very remote regions very often do not have the opportunity to receive an education at all despite being required to attend school.

By supporting the MAA Eroret School and the Mary Hill Nursery School we are helping the children in the region to get an education. Workshops at the Mary Hill Community Center, which are held jointly with other local NGOs, teach the adult population new methods in agriculture, for example, so that they can better provide for their families themselves.

Our projects

MAA Eroret School

Austrian Doctors has been a partner of MAA Eroret School in Loodoriak, Kenya, since 2017. MAA Eroret School is a school where over 300 children are taught.

Eroret Boarding School

For many girls in rural regions of Kenya attending school remains a daily challenge. Long, often dangerous journeys to school, a lack of infrastructure and family obligations mean that many schoolgirls cannot complete their education. We have launched a new project to change that. It is the boarding school for girls at MAA Eroret School in Loodoriak, Kenya.

Eroret School agricultural project

Thanks to a well built by Austrian Doctors at MAA Eroret School in 2023 it was possible to start an agricultural project in 2024. By cultivating the fields around the school the majority of the school meals can be grown by the pupils themselves. This also gives pupils the opportunity of practical training in modern farming methods.

Reforestation in Kenya

The consequences of climate change, which we are already feeling strongly in Austria are much more severe in countries like Kenya. Austrian Doctors launched a reforestation program in 2024 to counteract the associated problems

Water projects in Kenya

The construction of solar-powered wells at our two project areas in Kenya has made an important contribution to the independence of the projects. Clean water is now available all year round. It not only benefits the people, but also facilitates the expansion of agricultural projects and reforestation programs.

Medical projects in Kenya

The lack of basic medical care is a major issue in Kenya. Some of the biggest challenges include HIV, malnutrition, malaria, and FGM – to name just a few. At both of our project sites in Kenya we are therefore also actively engaged in providing medical support.

Mary Hill Nursery School

Over 80 children have the opportunity to be carefree and safe.They can play and are supervised by trained teachers. As a healthy diet is particularly important for young children they are also given a nutritious snack and lunch.

Mary Hill Community Center

The Community Center offers workshops on family planning, sexual health, women's rights, climate change and much more. This enables the adult population to learn new methods in agriculture, for example, so that they can better provide for their families themselves.

School meals for children

Malnourished children are particularly susceptible to infections. In our schools we therefore provide children with nutritious meals to strengthen their immune system.

News of our work in Kenya