Our Impact

See the difference Jali Watoto is making in the lives of mothers and children in Kisumu, Kenya.

10,000+
Women & Children Served Annually
2
Hospital Centers in Kisumu
840
Mothers Helped Monthly
100%
Free for All Families

"The children are looked after with much care. Having them play with the available toys has eased my appointment at the hospital since the kids are having a nice time."

— Jali Watoto Mother

Increasing Access to Healthcare for Mothers and Children

By seeking to increase women's access to healthcare, Jali Watoto hopes to empower women working in healthcare. We work with women health volunteers to oversee the children, maintain administrative functions of the center, and rely on them to help us come up with solutions to challenges.

Empowering Local Youth Leaders with the Youth Impact Hub

The Youth Impact Hub (YIH) started in the summer of 2026 in partnership with the Catholic University of Rwanda to give students tools and training to identify problems in their communities then design and implement research-backed solutions.

2026 Youth Impact Hub Cohort

The 2026 Youth Impact Hub cohort smiling together in front of a painted mural

In alphabetical order by first name

Elie U.

Fabiola

Siridion N.

Sonia

Therese M.

With the gracious support of Alice U., the student coordinator at the Catholic University of Rwanda.

Students gathered around laptops and tablets in a computer lab
The students working on their problem statement and solution design.
Five students standing in front of a screen at the end of their presentation
The students practicing their final project presentation.

The 2026 cohort of the Youth Impact Hub identified malnutrition in Southern Rwanda as the community problem they would like to address. They researched the problem using demographic data on malnutrition and child stunting from the Rwandan government and designed a nutrition distribution program with foods rich in Vitamin A, iron, and protein. The students shared their problem statement and plan in a 30 minute presentation and answered live questions from the Dean of Undergraduate Studies and a class of graduate students. As of September 2026, the students have implemented a pilot of their nutrition distribution program. They worked with the Save Health Center Nutritionist to identify and deliver food to 15 severely malnourished children in Save sector. They are now working with Melat and Sydney to improve upon their pilot with plans for further installations.

Projections

  • •The Jali Watoto Foundation is currently on track to service over 10,000 mothers and children by the end of 2025.
  • •We have ambitions to expand to a county-wide level in Kisumu, Kenya and to start programs in Rwanda by the end of 2026.
  • •Our hope is to include more early childhood and maternal health education in our programs.

Recognition

2026 Recipient of the For Better Tomorrow Grant

2025 Recipient of the Davis Projects for Peace Summer Grant

2025 Recognition as one of Duke Global Health's Favorite Stories

2024 Recipient of the Paul Farmer Grant from Duke Global Health Initiative

2024 Recipient of the Robertson Foundation Summer Grant