Building the capacity of communities to defeat disease

Highland Endemic Region Foundation (HERF) unites civil society and community-based organizations across 12 highland endemic counties — strengthening their capacity to advocate for and deliver community-led health programmes against malaria, NCDs, and other diseases.

Established in 2017 as the Highland Endemic Region Network (HERN) with support from KeNAAM, HERF has grown from 6 counties at inception to a 12-county network covering Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Kericho, Bomet, Narok, Nyamira, Turkana, and Kisii.

HERF does not implement programmes directly. Instead, the Foundation is a capacity-building, advocacy, and coordination platform — strengthening member organizations so they deliver impactful, evidence-based health programmes sustainably at community level.

A community free from the burden of disease through well-capacitated civil society organizations and community-led health interventions, where quality health care is accessed by all.

To build the capacity of member organizations to advocate for, and support community-led interventions that control, manage, and prevent malaria, NCDs, and other diseases in the highland endemic region.

Empowering Communities for Health — strong, well-supported local organizations are the key to lasting change in highland communities.

Capacity-building training through workshops, mentorship, and peer learning exchanges

Stakeholder consultative fora to build consensus on health advocacy positions

Policy dialogue and memoranda to county and national government decision-makers

Support for member organizations in county budget public participation

Joint proposal development and resource mobilisation for members

Media engagement, public campaigns, and talk shows to amplify advocacy

Social accountability tools including community scorecards and budget tracking

Documentation and dissemination of best practices across the network