Announcement

Cheperaria, West Pokot District, Kenya – On September 21, HealthRight International, Kenyan marathoner and peace advocate Tegla Laroupe, the United States Agency for International Development, Pfizer, and FilmAid International will join together with local community members to launch an innovative three-part film series to promote safe childbirth among isolated communities in the Northern Rift Valley.

The project is the culmination of a six month initiative between HealthRight and local communities to produce what will be the first ever films in the Pokot language.  The films tell the story of Cheptana, an expectant mother who advocates within her family and community for the rights of women to have safe and effective health care during pregnancy, delivery and infancy.  The films will strengthen support for and utilization of facility-based health care, and will be used as part of HealthRight’s Partnership for Maternal and Neonatal Health project, which is working to build lasting access to maternal and newborn care for communities throughout the Northern Rift Valley area.

“These films both entertain and convey a simple yet powerful message: that the health and well being of our mothers and our children depends on access to quality health care,” said Eunice Okoth, HealthRight’s country director in Kenya. “We’re excited to have the support of the local communities and of Ms. Laroupe, who has been such an inspiration to our work.”

The innovative production process brought public health experts and filmmakers together with local community members in Cheperaria to develop a story line and messages that would resonate with the local community.  The films also include the screen debut for numerous local actors, and were shot entirely on location in Chepareria West Pokot.

Following the debut, the film series will be screened in community settings throughout the North Rift Valley.  Each screening will be followed by a discussion and information session, facilitated by HealthRight outreach workers, in which community members will be encouraged to use facility-based care and practice other healthy behaviors that will increase the likelihood of a healthy childbirth and a healthy future for newborns.

The project has been made possible through the generous support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Pfizer.

To learn more about HealthRight’s Partnership for Maternal and Neonatal Health, please visit http://www.healthright.org/where-we-work/kenya/kenya-mnh.