OIP Strengthening Community Health Through Home-Based Care and Sanitation Support
The Oyugis Integrated Project (OIP) continues to uphold its mission of serving vulnerable families through comprehensive home-based care, recognizing that prevention of disease is far more effective and sustainable than treatment. As part of its long-standing commitment to community health, OIP has intensified its outreach programs that focus on sanitation, hygiene, and safe water practices—critical pillars in reducing preventable illnesses within households.
A report commissioned by SNV Netherlands Development Organization (SNV), titled Understanding the Effects of Poor Sanitation on Public Health, the Environment and Well-being, highlights the urgent need for stronger sanitation interventions in Homa Bay County. Conducted under the Voice for Change Partnership, the study revealed a disturbing link between the sources of household water and the prevalence of diarrhea among children. While the analysis found no association between infant feeding practices and childhood diarrhea, it uncovered stark differences in water safety between households: although more families in the control group used protected water sources, over half of all households surveyed were still consuming water contaminated with harmful bacteria.
The laboratory results were especially alarming. Of all the water samples collected, 52% tested positive for high levels of E. coli, signaling contamination with faecal matter and posing a serious health risk to children and adults alike. These findings affirm that addressing sanitation and water safety is not optional—it is essential for protecting community health and preventing disease outbreaks.
In response, OIP has strengthened its home-based care program to focus heavily on sanitation education and safe water management. Volunteers and community health workers continue to visit vulnerable households, offering personalized guidance on hygiene practices, waste disposal, and disease prevention. To provide practical support, OIP donates water treatment buckets, water guard, and other essential sanitation supplies to families who need them most. However, the greatest emphasis remains on empowering households with knowledge—teaching them how to maintain clean environments, treat drinking water, and adopt habits that promote long-term health.
Through these combined efforts, OIP is helping families not only to access clean water but also to understand the importance of sanitation in preventing illness. This preventive approach is transforming lives across Oyugis and surrounding communities, reducing the burden of disease and promoting healthier, safer living conditions for all.
As OIP continues to expand its outreach, the organization remains committed to the belief that a healthier community begins at home—and that with the right support, every family can enjoy the dignity of safe water, a clean environment, and improved well-being.
