Mwanzo Wetu Health Services

A COMMUNITY APPROACH

Health is foundational to learning, work, and community life. In Rabuor and neighboring villages, access to basic healthcare has long required traveling many miles, often at great cost to families already balancing economic and environmental challenges. Mwanzo Wetu Health Services grew from a simple belief: people cannot thrive if they are sick or in pain. What began as a small school-based outpatient room has expanded into a permanent, community-centered clinic designed to meet the urgent and ongoing health needs of families across the Lake Victoria region.

From School Clinic to Community Lifeline

Mwanzo’s health program began within the school, offering basic services such as deworming, malaria treatment, HIV care, and outbreak response. As community needs grew, so did the vision. In September 2024, the Mwanzo Wetu Health Clinic opened its doors in the newly completed community center. On opening day alone, more than 400 community members received care, many for the first time in their lives. Today, the clinic serves thousands of patients annually, providing accessible, affordable care close to home.

Care That Meets People Where They Are

The Mwanzo Wetu Health Clinic provides year-round primary and preventive care, including treatment for HIV, TB, and malaria; prenatal and pediatric services; chronic disease management for conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure; and emergency care for injuries, fevers, and outbreaks. New diagnostic services, including laboratory testing and ultrasound, have been added to improve early detection and treatment outcomes. Mental health care is also integrated into Mwanzo’s holistic model, supporting students, staff, and families with culturally grounded counseling services.

Health Care in a Time of Uncertainty

Cuts to USAID and PEPFAR funding have placed significant strain on health systems across Kenya, threatening access to critical medicines and HIV care. Mwanzo has stepped forward to bridge these gaps locally, ensuring continuity of care for vulnerable populations.
By relocating infectious disease treatment away from the school and into the clinic, Mwanzo protects students and staff while expanding services to the wider community.

Looking Ahead: Building a Community Hospital

While the clinic meets urgent needs, the vision extends further. Mwanzo is preparing to build a 35-bed community hospital to provide inpatient and emergency services close to home.
The first phase focuses on strengthening outpatient services, followed by an inpatient wing that will include maternity care, surgical theaters, diagnostic imaging, and recovery wards. This expansion will bring safe births, timely treatment, and dignified care within reach for families who have historically been underserved.