Options Consultancy

Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) Kenya is part of the global VSO network, a leading international development organization founded in 1958. VSO specializes in utilizing the unique contributions of volunteers to address pressing development challenges, with a focus on improving health, education, and livelihoods. VSO Kenya works to empower communities by fostering sustainable, inclusive development and building the capacity of local systems.

VSO’s approach is rooted in the power of volunteering, collaboration, and innovation to create long-lasting change. Its people-centered methodology ensures that vulnerable and marginalized groups, including women, adolescents, and people with disabilities, are prioritized in development programs.

In DESIP program, VSO Kenya played a critical role in social inclusion enhancing equity, inclusion, and community participation in family planning (FP) services, with a focus on persons with disabilities (PWDs) populations.

1.) Development of FP Fact Sheets for Advocacy:

• Options developed annual FP fact sheets for all 19 DESIP counties.
• These fact sheets served as advocacy tools to influence resource allocation for FP, especially when engaging political leaders.
• The fact sheets highlighted the FP scenario in each county, providing a quick reference for non-technical audiences on maternal and adolescent health issues.
• They proved instrumental during donor visits, offering visiting teams a clear overview of FP challenges and needs in the counties.

2.) Capacity Building on the RH/FP Dashboard:

• Options trained 67 healthcare workers on the RH/FP dashboard, an online performance management tool developed by the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).
• The dashboard uses routine FP data from the Kenya Health Information System (KHIS) to generate automated, easy-to-interpret analyses for planning FP interventions.
• This training empowered healthcare workers to utilize data effectively for decision-making and service improvement.

3.) Budget Advocacy Training for Civil Society Coalitions:

• Options trained 25 civil society coalitions on budget advocacy.
• As a result, these coalitions became active advocates for increased resource allocation toward FP during the budget-making process.