Founded by a group of committed Kenyans, Lwala Community Alliance unlocks the potential of communities to advance their own comprehensive well-being. We’re working at the national and county level in Kenya to ensure that primary health care is designed, owned, and paid for by government–and directed by communities.
Lwala is committed to creating a professional CHW workforce, inclusive of traditional birth attendants, where every CHW is paid, trained, supervised, and equipped with commodities and digital tools. Professional CHWs unlock the door for more accessible, higher quality health services. Women make up 70% of the CHW workforce. These caregivers understand the needs of women in their communities–and they make health systems work better for women. Lwala is walking alongside the Kenyan government as they professionalize CHWs.
When people receive high-quality, dignified care, they are more likely to return again and again for lifesaving services. Since Lwala Community Hospital’s founding, it has served as a center of excellence in quality improvement, a training ground for health providers, and an innovator of new ideas. We also support more than 1,000 health facilities across 20 counties to improve maternal and newborn care. Together, this work rebuilds trust in the health system.
A breakdown of trust is at the root of poor health–when communities don’t trust the health system to provide high-quality care, they are less likely to seek care. Lwala works within existing government structures, like community health committees, to rebuild trust. We strengthen the capacity of these groups to transform health care and hold government accountable, and we elevate women’s leadership. When women are represented on these committees, they can ensure that health services reflect the needs of women and girls.
With over 80% of Kenya’s population under the age of 35, youth leadership is increasingly important. Lwala supports young people to advocate for their needs within community structures and is working with government to strengthen and formalize the role of youth peer providers within the health system.
