Community Outreaches: Renewed Faith in Family Planning
In the rural heart of Narok County, lack of accurate information has long fueled myths and misconceptions about family planning. Many women have heard stories that discourage them—for instance, one woman at Olmekenyu Health Centre recalled being told by a friend that family planning would prevent her from ever having another child. However, thanks to DESIP’s outreach efforts, that narrative is beginning to change.
Working closely with Narok County health teams, DESIP has mobilized Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) and Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) from existing community units. These dedicated volunteers receive training on basic family planning information (using MOH Module 11) and learn counselling techniques that empower women to continue using FP services. Under the close supervision of CHEWs and Community Health Assistants (CHAs), CHVs actively mobilize local women to attend outreach events where healthcare providers create a relaxed and supportive environment for learning. At these outreaches, healthcare providers use clear and simple language to explain the benefits of family planning and to debunk old myths and misconceptions.
One woman shared, “I am told that these clinics are very good and that’s why I have come.” Another recounted, “One day as I was going to the market, I came across an outreach. They explained in such a simple manner how I can plan my family. I understood many things I didn’t know before.”
A key part of these outreach sessions is a technique called “education through listening.” This method equips the demand creation agents with the skills needed to deliver quality sessions that spark real behavior change in the community. Community influencers join these sessions too, lending their support and sharing their own positive experiences with family planning. As a result, more rural, poor, and marginalized women are now accessing FP services.
One woman from Sankale Village in Narok North shared, “I met many women during the outreaches. They all assured me that their methods worked well. That gave me the courage to try again after my own method had failed.”
