BION Project, Kenya - update from Seleina Limion, Director.

Changing the lives of the communities we support

BION provides support to mothers and their children through the provision of sensitization and training programmes. Mothers and their babies are supported up to 5 years old and girls are supported up to 14 years old. The training programmes focus on primary healthcare through the promotion of good health and prevention of communicable and non-communicable diseases, access to clean food and water, safeguarding the rights of children, the provision of basic needs, and fostering good community relations to enhance a healthy and vibrant society. Training programmes are always well attended by between 70 to 150 people.

Access to clean food and water

BION organises workshops on how to handle, prepare, consume, and store food safely to maintain standards of cleanliness, hygiene and to retain nutrients in the food. Additionally, communities receive training on the importance of washing, thoroughly cooking food, washing hands before handling food, properly cleaning and storing cooking utensils, boiling of drinking water and proper storage of food in clean containers.

Promoting good health

BION invites health workers to train mothers on personal health and hygiene, how to ensure their children are well taken care of in terms of vaccinations, proper nutrition for mothers and their children, benefits of breastfeeding, signs, and symptoms of common infectious diseases and how to respond to avert calamities. 

Prevention of Disease: Malaria is one of the main killer diseases that affects mothers and children in the area and special focus has been put into training women on prevention measures against the disease. Over the years we have managed to distribute large numbers of mosquito nets as a measure to prevent malaria in rural communities.

Safeguarding the rights of children
BION in collaboration with child protection institutions has been working to safeguard the rights of children through the placement of children in rescue centres. We have a mechanism of reporting child abuse cases to the department of children offices. We have been creating awareness amongst the community about existing policies and laws on child protection, including highlighting negative cultural practices that affect the children.

Basic needs and hygiene

BION organise food programmes amongst various children’s homes and schools in need through the provision of food stuffs, blankets, water treatment, storage tanks and containers, provision of treated mosquito nets, detergents, provision of sanitary towels to girls and other items they need.

Supporting the Community during Covid 19

BION invested in training the youth in the community on preventive and containment measures to safeguard against the pandemic. Additionally, we were able to purchase hand washing stations, sanitizers, masks to support the community in staying safe.

How BION has changed lives

More mothers and children are living healthy lives through the implementation of hygienic practices in the home and whilst handling food. Children now feel more protected since the community is more informed on how to report abusive child practices. All our efforts have had a significant role in promoting better livelihoods in the communities, a healthier population and happier children who perform well in their studies at school.

All the above would not be possible without the immense support and contribution of STACC. We appreciate your continued support every year as we continue to enhance better livelihoods for the vulnerable in our society.

Thank you so much.

Seleina Limion