In Kenya: Transformational impact through screening and early intervention
In Kenya, our partnership programmes with the Ezra-Kroener Foundation and Hear The World Foundation are embedding essential screening and early intervention services in Garissa and Kwale Counties, creating a lifeline hundreds of parents.
Previous screening and early intervention programmes by Sense International Kenya had seen an incredible impact on children and parents, with over 74,000 infants screened for sight and hearing impairments from 2016 to 2023. New partnerships are allowing us to continue these essential services with a focus on embedding them into healthcare policy, ensuring infants with deafblindness are identified and supported beyond the duration of our programmes.
Working with four hospitals to make screening a standard part of their maternal and newborn services has helped us to reach almost 10,000 infants and children in the past year, with 604 so far supported with early intervention therapy and audiology care including hearing aids.
The programmes have trained 128 health professionals to conduct screening and therapy, including recruiting and training a full-time audiologist. Sense International Kenya is continuing to advocate for County governments to take on the roll out of these services, expanding access and ensuring every family has the right to access this care.
Newborn sensory screening is essential to identify sight and hearing impairments at an early stage and create a pathway into occupational therapy. Children who receive this support as early as possible will have the best chance of getting the support they need and being able to learn essential skills, receive an education, and gain independence later in life. These services are a lifeline for parents who otherwise might have nowhere to go, like Lucy and Bridget.
Bridget was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, affecting her mobility, vision, and ability to communicate. It can be isolating for parents struggling to meet children’s complex needs without the right support, but Lucy says she has learned a lot from the occupational therapist and from other mothers at the centre, who “now feel like family” to them. Bridget is gaining neck strength, becoming better able to hold her own head up, and they are now focusing on her ability. These developments will empower Bridget to gain more independence as she grows, and her mother is hopeful about her future.
“Sense International has helped me ensure my child progresses with sitting up and other developmental milestones.”
“I wouldn’t be here without Sense.”
Parents of children with deafblindness attending Sense International Kenya’s Early Intervention services
