A safe space for youth in Nairobi

Comprehensive community services

Operating seven days a week, with Sundays reserved for targeted activities for specific vulnerable groups, the center provides both medical and psycho-social services alongside recreational facilities. The medical side consists of two consultation rooms and a psychologist’s room, with services provided by nurses, a psychologist, a social worker, and community health educators.

In 2023 alone, the youth center team provided 5,316 medical consultations, including for mental health, and 21,661 youth accessed the social and recreational services. Heath care services focus on sexual and reproductive health, including family planning services; HIV prevention, counseling, and testing with linkage to care; prenatal care; post-abortion care; treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and care for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, in addition to mental health counseling and referrals.   

Beyond medical care, the youth center offers a wide range of social support services, including health education, life skills and mentorship training, career development training, computer classes, and library services, as well as entertainment such as a pool table, board games, and introductions to other organizations.

Community investment in youth

A main pillar of the center is the participatory approach in designing and delivering services, in which youth play the vital role of advising the center’s management through continuous dialogue and feedback. 

“If we bring our own solutions [alone], it cannot be sustainable. Youth are creative and able to find solutions to their issues. We ensure they are actively involved in the planning and implementation of activities,” said Claire Lungahi, a community health educator at the center who oversees these activities.

Parents also bring their children to the center. “I trust the information here. I know my 12-year-old son receives health education when he comes to the clinic. He comes to study and uses the library services," parent Purity Toyo explained. 

“I believe that youth should be taught the truth on sexual reproductive health and gender-based violence, since we know that they are susceptible to abuse and violence. I believe my son may be more open to speak about issues with the health care workers in the clinic than with me sometimes,” she added. 

Purity, who became a mother at 15 years old, recognizes the importance of comprehensive sexual reproductive health education for youth. “I want my son to do better. I have introduced more young people to the youth center as it has a positive influence on them, especially during school holidays, to keep them engaged. They also have an opportunity to find health services while at the clinic,” she said.

Accessible hours for workers

For youth and other vulnerable groups like domestic workers, the center’s Sunday sessions help accommodate their specific health needs. “As domestic workers, we work from Monday to Saturday, and getting permission [to visit the center] within the week is a hurdle. Having a set day on Sundays allows us to access the services quickly when we come to the hospital,” said Sylvia Wambui, a domestic worker.

MSF also works with other organizations like the Initiators of Common Awareness (ICA), a youth group based in Dandora that focuses on mental health care messaging for young people and connects them to services. “Youth in Dandora go through many challenges like unemployment, poor sanitation conditions, and other social challenges. Our intent is to ensure we find ways to overcome these [obstacles] and link our peers to a psychologist,” said Matthew Ogoti, ICA chairperson.

Despite its modest size, the center behind the green gate has become a familiar place for young people in this corner of Nairobi, addressing their unique needs and reducing barriers to health care access.