Afri Afya

Afri Afya

African Network for Health Knowledge Management and Communication is a consortium of health NGOs that was set up in April 2000 to explore ways of harnessing information and communication technology (ICTs) for community health and development in rural and marginalized communities. We have in the last nine years implemented projects that seek to leverage the potential of ICTs to increase access to community health and development information in rural Kenyan settings. In doing this we have partnered with not only our seven founding agencies, but also with other organizations to set up projects that provide ICT equipment and give local community members ICT skills to enhance information and knowledge sharing. We have supported the concept of Resource Centers as focal points both for creating and sharing health and development information at community level.
The centers have stimulated the convergence of traditional methods of communication with modern ICTs. This has enriched the process of creating, repackaging and dispersing information ‘beyond the computer’. We have also established a Knowledge Management Unit at the AfriAfya Hub in Nairobi to respond to community information requests by gathering and repackaging from different sources both local and global. We have also diversified the health and development topics in relation to community needs.
We have been recognized both locally and internationally for excellence and innovation in our work. AfriAfya was a finalist in the IICD 2002 ICT stories competition, and was one of five laureates named for the prestigious 2003 Tech Museum Awards: Technology Benefiting Humanity. We have presented our work at many forums such as the WSIS, where we have contributed in discussions on application of ICTs in community health and development. We have established and nurtured working collaborations and partnerships with local and international organizations. One of these partnerships named the ‘Academic NGO’ with North American Universities involves the creation of health knowledge management systems. We host the East African Regional Network Hub. We have continued to grow our programme and scale up activities.
We have increased our presence from initial 7 pilot sites in 2001 to about 36 sites in different parts of Kenya and Somalia in 2008. We have also explored more innovative approaches on the use of ICTs and health and collaborated in projects that have documented their results and impact.

Our Founding Agencies
• Aga Khan Health Services, Kenya
• African Medical Research Foundation (AMREF)
• CARE Kenya
• Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK)
• HealthNet Kenya
• Ministry of Health
• Plan Kenya
• World Vision Kenya

AfriAfya and World Vision- The Partnership

While modern Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have provided commercial entities, universities, ministries, research institutions and big hospitals with information for their activities,they have done relatively little for rural communities. Rural and poor communities are left out of the benefits that arise from these modern ICTs-in both giving and receiving information. Despite this being the information age, millions of children and youths have been denied the empowerment that comes with information. Children, being the generation of the future ought to be exposed to potentially useful health and development information that will arguably shape a better future for them.

As a result, World Vision Kenya and AfriAfya have formed a partnership geared towards improving the use of ICTs for increased health and development, knowledge sharing, and teaching among children, women, and people with disabilities. With support from Australian Government AID (AusAID) and World Vision Australia, this initiative is being implemented in three selected ADPs of World Vision Kenya which are: Osiligi ADP in Kajiado District of Rift Valley Province, Katito ADP in Nyando district of Nyanza province, and Taru ADP in Kwale District of Coast Province. One community learning centre (CLC) has been established in each of the 3 ADPs and they are intended to be focal points of community learning and a repository of knowledge. These CLCs are equipped with an assortment of ICT equipment such as computer, printer, phones, TV, DVD, digital camera and mobile phones. These ICTs will be used as tools to facilitate learning on health and development.



Success Stories

• 1. AfriAfya and World Vision Partner in Establishing Community Learning Centers
• 2. The Community Learning Center Project - A report by Diana Warira
• 3. Kisapuk CLC Launch
• 4. Willy Mwangi: Mukamaka Community resource centre
• 5. A Homa Bay farmer’s triumph over the striga weed: A story illustrating how the network promotes sharing of information
• 6. Orengo Paul Wycliffe: Nyakongo community resource center
• 7. ICTs add zest to the work of community health ambassadors in North Nyakach Location, Kisumu.
• 8. Linking a rural dispensary to the information highway
• 9. AfriAfya holds a successful community open day
• 10. Improving health through child-centered activities: the case of Diemo Primary School, Kisumu.