Education
Partner: African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)
Targeted girls aged 12–19 in Standards 6, 7, and 8 in Viwandani, addressing a transition rate to secondary school of only 58.6% for slum pupils (vs 87.5% nationally). Girls received after-school support in Literacy, Numeracy, and Life Skills from volunteer mentors.
- 93 Literacy sessions, 93 Numeracy sessions, 36 Life Skills sessions implemented
- 14 parental counselling sessions and multiple community meetings held
- 73% of pupils supported with $100 each to transition from primary to secondary school
- 494 girls targeted across treatment and control groups in Viwandani
This interventional study generated policy-relevant evidence at the end of Year 3
Total War on AIDS (TOWA)
Nairobi East District community program
Provided correct and accurate information on HIV and AIDS to residents of Nairobi East District who were otherwise unable to access health education. The project aimed at reducing stigma and discrimination while facilitating prevention and management of HIV/AIDS.
Key Outcomes
- Increased uptake of Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) among youth and couples
- Reduced number of sexual partners and increased safer sex practices including condom use
- Raised levels of care for orphaned children and people living with HIV/AIDS
- Increased active partnerships and community referrals facilitated by U-Tena
Delivery Methods
Magnet Theatre, Theatre for Development, Community Festivals, Mobile VCTs, and door-to-door counselling across the slums of Mukuru, Nairobi East.
Health Action Project
Partners: ECWD, CSA · Funded by the European Union via DSW & IED
An East African advocacy initiative supporting civil society actors to become stronger participants in civic processes targeting pro-poor health policies. U-Tena held four advocacy outreach events in Dagoretti focused on reproductive health and family planning.
Community members were empowered to demand higher quality health care and lobby for increased budgets targeting devolved funding. Partners co-funded the project at 10% each, receiving 10,000 Euros for the 8-month quarterly project.
- 3,438 people reached
Behaviour Change Communication (BCC)
Partner: APHIA Plus, Population Service Kenya
U-Tena partnered with APHIA Plus to implement a BCC programme using Magnet Theatre to sensitize and create awareness on HIV and health topics in health centres and community spaces. Referrals were made to community members to access VCT, STI clinics, and other health facilities.
APHIA Plus also partnered with U-Tena to offer youth-friendly services in Ruben Medical Clinic, targeting men aged 15–24 and OVC (orphaned and vulnerable children) through facilitated discussions and drama each school holiday three times per year.
Healthy Choices II
Partner: Population Service International Kenya
Implemented in Embakasi and Makadara Districts to help young people aged 13–17 understand the importance of healthy choices. 16 participants per cohort attended 4 weekly sessions covering 80 modules.
Topics Covered
- Steps to making your dreams come true
- Knowing your body and yourself
- All you need to know about HIV
- Pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections
- Skill building for safer sex practices, condom use, and refusal skills
People Reached
- Male 13–14: 358 · Male 15–17: 1,190
- Female 13–14: 452 · Female 15–17: 1,198
Non-Communicable Diseases
Viwandani & Mukuru communities
Built on U-Tena’s strength in community mobilization through performing arts. Sports tournaments were organized across Viwandani as forums to address drug and alcohol abuse, unemployment, and NCDs among youth.
U-Tena advocated for budgetary allocation for NCD surveillance, screening, and early-stage treatment, while partnering with other stakeholders to move the NCD agenda forward.
- 2,000+ youths reached through performing arts & sports
Mtaani Initiative
Funder: Kenya Community Development Foundation
A one-year project creating and sustaining entrepreneurship opportunities for at least 400 youths in Viwandani Location. U-Tena was the principal implementer, running from October 2012 to November 2013.
Expected Outcomes
- Sustainable income-generating opportunities created for 20 youth groups
- Sustained communication between 20 youth groups and private/public entrepreneurship bodies
- Youth groups fulfilling legal obligations and linked to business opportunities
- Competent U-Tena staff capacity built in board management, financial policy, fundraising, M&E, and auditing
Family Planning Services
Implemented by Zindua Jamii Youth Group · Funder: Jhpiego Kenya
Implemented across Embakasi District to increase family planning service uptake and information among youth. Zindua Jamii Youth Group, operating under U-Tena, ran multiple activity types:
- Outreach: 4-day social mobilization; services offered free of charge on final 2 days
- In-reach: 2-day activity within health facilities, free services on day 2
- Family Planning Awareness: community outreach providing information per action plan
- Amua (“Decide”): 1-day events in private facilities with subsidized service costs, targeting a 20% increase in family planning uptake
Civic Education
Consortium: CSA, Ecumenical Centre for Peace and Justice (ECJP)
A governance project promoting effective realisation of human rights among marginalised urban poor in select Nairobi informal settlements, grounded in the 2010 Constitution of Kenya.
2013 Results
- 60 community members trained on resident committee management and strategic advocacy
- 5 community advocacy forums and 3 feedback meetings conducted, reaching 4,000 people indirectly
- 3 referral points identified for reporting ECOSOC rights violations
- 3 petition papers developed and served to constitutional implementation bodies
- 2 radio programs via Ghetto Radio reaching 6,000 community members
- Facebook pages for 4 resident committees reaching 600 community members
- Copies of the Kenyan Constitution and related Acts distributed to 600 households
Health Awareness & Treatment Linkages Through Theatre
Partners: APHIA II Nairobi, APHIA Plus, Population Service Kenya
U-Tena members performed in the heart of Mukuru’s slums, using humorous skits and dances on health and contemporary themes. Two core approaches were used:
Magnet Theatre
Community-based performance paused at a critical point so the audience could discuss and engage. Skits depicted real community issues around HIV, family, and behaviour the audience advised characters as they would themselves, generating community-led solutions with a facilitator.
Theatre for Development
Same format as Magnet Theatre, but without pausing allowing a continuous, immersive narrative. Particularly effective for surfacing unreported cases of women’s and children’s abuse, followed by facilitated group discussion.
Topics sensitised across Mukuru, Kyangombe, and Kuwinda slums included: VCT, condom use, trusted partnership, PMTCT, ARVs, opportunistic infections, and TB prevention.
Water Loo Sanitation Project
Funder: Jhpiego · Schools: Jobenipha, Little Bells, Star of Hope
An 18-month sanitation awareness programme across three Viwandani schools, using theatre to highlight sanitation topics followed by focus group discussions on WASH messages.
Activities
- Sanitation community murals
- Community clean-ups
- Stakeholder meetings
- Community forums
- Sanitation awareness through theatre
2,600 pupils reached
