Tembo Medical Centre, Kenya
A community healthcare project in Kenya, established to improve access to healthcare in Kenya for people living in Muhuru Bay and the surrounding community.
Improving access to healthcare for the community of Muhuru Bay
Tembo Medical Centre is a community healthcare facility in Muhuru Bay, Kenya, established in 2014 to improve access to essential healthcare for a community of around 30,000 people living on the shores of Lake Victoria.
For more than a decade, the centre has provided healthcare services to the local community, including primary care, maternal healthcare, HIV services, family planning, vaccinations and community health programmes.
Our Story
Tembo Medical Centre was established in 2014 in response to a clear need for accessible healthcare in Muhuru Bay.
The area faces significant social and economic challenges, including high levels of poverty and a number of serious health issues. Access to maternal healthcare has also historically been limited, with women in the community facing significant barriers to receiving appropriate care during pregnancy and childbirth.
Tembo was initially supported by Doctors Worldwide, a UK-based charity and registered NGO working to develop sustainable healthcare solutions in communities facing disadvantage. Their support helped establish and develop the medical centre and its services. In 2018, this funding stopped due to re-priotisation of funds, and Tembo Medical Centre has been supported by it’s founders through personal donations from family, friends and wellwishers since then.
Over the years, Tembo has become an established part of the local community and has provided a wide range of healthcare and community services. When external funding changed, support for the centre continued through its founders and private donations. The experience of establishing and sustaining Tembo ultimately became the inspiration for Beyond Sunrise.
Healthcare for the Community
Tembo Medical Centre has provided a range of services designed to meet the needs of the local population.
Primary Healthcare
The centre provides outpatient and inpatient care, treatment for common and tropical diseases and emergency care.
Maternal Healthcare
Tembo supports women and families through antenatal care, maternity services, mother and child health programmes and vaccinations.
HIV Care and Support
The centre has provided HIV testing and counselling, treatment and support, prevention education and support for people living with HIV.
Family Planning
Family planning services help people make informed choices about their reproductive health and access appropriate care.
Community Health
Tembo has worked with community health workers and volunteers to provide health education, awareness activities and outreach within the wider community.
Children’s Health
The centre has supported healthcare initiatives for children, including school health activities and health and nutrition programmes.
A Community-Run Project
One of the things that makes Tembo particularly important to us is its connection with the local community.
Tembo is run by the local community, for the local community.
We believe this approach is essential to creating a project that can remain relevant and sustainable over the long term.
Where possible, we aim to use local staff, tradespeople and suppliers, ensuring that investment in the medical centre also creates opportunities within the local community.
Building a Sustainable Future
After more than ten years of operation, Tembo Medical Centre now needs investment to renew its facilities and strengthen its infrastructure.
Its location presents particular challenges. The centre is not connected to the mains electricity grid and has historically had limited access to reliable running water. The buildings and equipment have also experienced years of exposure to the elements.
Beyond Sunrise is supporting operational and physical renewal of the centre in stages, with the aim of creating a stronger and more sustainable healthcare facility.
Why We Support Tembo Medical Centre
Tembo is much more than a building or a medical facility. It represents more than a decade of healthcare provision in a community where access to essential services can be challenging.
For Beyond Sunrise, it also represents our starting point.
Our experience with Tembo shaped our belief that meaningful development requires more than short-term assistance. Sustainable projects need strong local involvement, appropriate resources and a long-term approach. Our goal is therefore not simply to renovate Tembo, but to help establish a more locally sustainable healthcare project that can continue serving the community with less reliance on external fundraising in the future.
Looking Ahead
Your support can help us improve healthcare facilities, provide essential medical equipment, strengthen local services and create a more sustainable future
for Tembo Medical Centre.
Every contribution can help us continue this important work.
Support Tembo Medical Centre
Your support can help us improve healthcare facilities, provide essential medical equipment, strengthen local services and create a more sustainable future for Tembo Medical Centre.
Every contribution can help us continue this important work.
Inside Our Projects
Here’s some of the work Beyond Sunrise has been proud to be a part of.
