In the heart of Kilifi, where vibrant cultural traditions coexist with persistent socio-economic challenges, a new wave of youth transformation is unfolding.
Through mentorship, education, and health empowerment, the Community Health Promotion Fund (CHPF) is reshaping the lives of adolescents and young adults, offering them the tools, confidence, and support they need to build brighter futures.
Teenage phase often comes with pressure, limited guidance, and exposure to risky behaviour. But for those enrolled in CHPF programmes, these years have become a season of learning, reflection, growth, and renewed hope.
Daniel Chongo and Dama Karisa, from Kireme and Msumarini, have spent three years in the CHPF adolescent empowerment activities.
They say the programme has helped them and other youth to understand themselves better, make better choices, and see life through a more hopeful lens.
“The programme has taught me how to face different challenges in life. Through the education we’ve received, the number of teenage pregnancies has reduced,” said Karisa, reflecting on the growing awareness among adolescents regarding sexual and reproductive health.
“The debates have helped me build confidence and given me knowledge on how to cope with different situations,” she added, noting that she now understands the dangers of drug and substance abuse, an issue she believes has long undermined the potential of young people in the region.
In Msumarini, another beneficiary, Daniel Chongo, underscores the programme’s role in shaping responsible, forward-thinking youth.
He believes the mentorship he receives is preparing him and others to make choices that secure their future rather than compromise it.
“We are taught to choose friends wisely and not to rush life. If we work hard now, we will enjoy the fruits in the future,” he said.
Chongo describes CHPF as a rare lifeline in communities where many teenagers lack direction or mentorship.
He credits the organisation for offering a safe, supportive environment where adolescents can freely express their concerns, learn from trained mentors, and gain knowledge that may otherwise be inaccessible.
“The organisation should not stop educating the teens; it has helped us a lot. The debates have increased my confidence, and in future I will be able to advise fellow youths for generational change,” he added.
CHPF’s impact goes beyond youth mentorship. Since its establishment as a local trust in 2015 and later national incorporation in 2020, the organisation has expanded into a cornerstone of community health support, touching thousands of lives across Kilifi County.
Working with strategic partners such as Germany Doctors, Mama Na Mtoto UK, the Ministry of Health, and the North Coast Medical Training College (NCMTC), CHPF implements programmes designed to address both immediate health needs and long-term community empowerment.
Its central focus areas include primary healthcare support, adolescent and youth outreach, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) education, student sponsorship and educational support.
Community-based education and service (COBES), universal health care (UHC) initiatives, and research- and evidence-driven health interventions.
The organisation is guided by a powerful vision: “To achieve equity in healthcare in Kenya.”
Its mission is to improve community health through empowerment, training, research, and accessible services that serve as the backbone of all its programmes.
By Rian Onyango
