Organization’s Overview
Health & Planet Empowerment Network (HPEN) is a legally registered community based organization serving Kwale. Founded in 2024, the organization champions health equity, climate justice, and gender rights through grass roots-driven solutions. We focus on under-served groups, including youth, persons with disabilities (PWDs), young mothers, indigenous communities and the elderly, ensuring that community members from all backgrounds are meaningfully engaged and empowered. Our inclusive leadership model is dedicated to building resilient, informed, and rights-conscious communities through participatory education, advocacy, and service delivery.
Vision
A future where climate action, health, and women’s rights reinforce one another, safeguarding adolescents’ and youths’ sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
Mission
Advance urgent climate action while promoting ethical, voluntary, and risk-free sexual and reproductive health through community partnerships, services, and advocacy.
Core Values
- Commitment to Partnership
- Respect for Human Rights
- Integrity and Accountability
- Inclusion and Trust
- Transparency
Thematic Areas
- Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)
- Climate Change and Environmental Justice
- Education and Reintegration
- Economic Empowerment
- Peace Building
- Disability Rights & Inclusion
What We Do
- Increase awareness of the links between SRHR and climate change.
- Improve access to inclusive, quality SRHR services.
- Promote community led climate adaptation strategies that safeguard SRHR.
- Influence policies and budgets that advance SRHR and climate justice.
- Empower women, youth, and PWDs to participate in decision-making processes.
- Conduct community driven research to guide evidence based interventions.
- Foster strategic partnerships to amplify impact.
Our Impact
- Referred 200+ individuals for HIV testing, ensuring early detection and treatment.
- Facilitated access to contraceptives for 150 women, improving family planning and reproductive health.
- Conducted 10 community health sessions reaching 500+ participants (mainly adolescent girls and young women).
- Used film screenings (7 events) to engage 1,000+ youth on SRHR and GBV.
- Created WhatsApp platforms enabling adolescents to lead SRHR and GBV dialogues.
- Mobilized communities for mangrove planting at Kongo Beach, strengthening climate resilience.
- Integrated SRHR messages into climate action initiatives, highlighting the intersection between environment and health.
- Linked school dropouts with the subcounty education officer, leading to 15 young people rejoining school.
- Supported adolescents with educational items during World Menstruation Day events in Msambweni.
- Trained 3 youths in film production and storytelling, enabling income generation and social change advocacy.
- Organized 5 peacebuilding sessions in Ukunda and Bongwe, engaging 300 community members, reducing juvenile gang activities and mortality rates.
- Conducted awareness sessions with 100+ PWD participants, equipping them with tools to demand better health services.
- Engaged county leadership to advocate for PWD champions, ensuring government recognition and inclusion.
Key Populations We Work With
- Youth
- Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)
- Young Mothers
- Elderly
- Indigenous communities
Youth Engagement
We create platforms for young people to lead, innovate, and drive change in their communities on issues that affect their future. Our programs include peer education, leadership training, and creative arts projects that amplify youth voices.
Gender Justice & Empowerment
HPEN advances gender equality through education, advocacy, and capacity building for women and girls. We run mentorship programs, support groups, and policy advocacy campaigns to promote women's leadership and rights.
Governance
The HPEN is a youth and women-led organization committed to empowering communities through inclusive practices and fostering collaboration among partners.
Safeguarding & Do-No-Harm
We are committed to survivor-centered, rights-based practice. Safeguarding and data-protection protocols are applied across all activities, including referral Memorandum of Understanding with service providers.