Youth and community health volunteers in informal settlements demand safe spaces and inclusion

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis visual essay showcases the collaborative efforts of Shack Dwellers International (SDI)-Kenya, a non-governmental organization, and Muungano wa Wanavijiji, the federation of the urban poor, in addressing health challenges and promoting inclusivity in Nairobi’s informal settlements. Through community-driven organizing, mapping and action-research the groups generated improved water, sanitation, education, roads, and affordable housing interventions. The collaboration leveraged community health volunteers (CHVs) and a vast network of young people to document and communicate health messages and implement actions. The collaborations expanded Muungano’s Know Your City TV (KYCTV) program, which employs tens of local youth to create media supporting community-wide awareness building of and mobilization for slum upgrading.KEYWORDS: Community driven interventionscommunity health volunteersyouthinformal settlements Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).CreditsWall murals: Mtua Arts. All Photos, KYCTV Team.Additional informationNotes on contributorsSarah OumaSarah Ouma is Communications Officer, SDI-K.Jane WairutuJane Wairutu is Programme Manager, SDI-K.Jacob OmondiJacob Omondi is a Federation leader of Muungano in Nairobi.