School Nurses Impact Entire Communities in Kenya

Raelyn Conway serves in Kenya with the CMF team that works alongside Missions of Hope International (MOHI). Since 2018, she has helped to develop programs that holistically address the health needs of more than 30,000 students, their parents, and their communities. Here she talks about how developing a school nurse program is helping transform lives physically, mentally, and spiritually.

In my first few years serving in MOHI’s health department, I would often be on the road traveling to various schools with my Kenyan teammates to provide remote health services. After collecting and analyzing data, I saw a need for students to have regular access to quality health services, which led me to develop the school nurse program.

The goal of a school nurse is to transform children and families by holistically addressing physical, social, and spiritual health needs. They do so by managing learners with pre-existing health conditions; providing preliminary curative services following the WHO’s evidence-based practice model; implementing preventive strategies that empower community members thought Community Health Evangelism (CHE); and providing health education within the school and community.

In 2023, God answered a big prayer when we launched the school nurse pilot program in four of our neediest communities. In 2024, we added 6 more school nurses. By 2025, 12 school nurses are now mobilized throughout MOHI’s remote schools in Kenya. Prior to mobilizing these new school nurses, we set them up for success by facilitating two weeks of intensive training and two weeks of on-the-field mentoring with an experienced school nurse. The long orientation gave them the confidence to stand firm, be courageous, stay strong, and do everything in love.

We have seen the fruits of their good work. In 2024, the school nurses cared for 3,553 students with acute illnesses, identifying and treating cases early on, thereby reducing hospitalizations. They also assisted 87 students with pre-existing health conditions (i.e. HIV, sickle cell anemia, asthma) by creating individual accommodation plans, which resulted in decreased absenteeism and improved academic performance.

Their impact was not limited to the school but extended to the community. Throughout the year, they walked with 97 homes in a holistic health program to equip and empower whole households; 58 of which were awarded certificates to honor their program completion and home’s transformation.

The school nurses even reignited Community Health Evangelism (CHE) by establishing 35 groups and leading 18 Bible studies. In November, we had our first Disciple Making Movement (DMM) training to equip us with tools to “go and make disciples”. I am hopeful that we can use CHE with DMM to expand the gospel’s reach in 2025, so that many learn of Jesus, believe in Him, and obey His words.

It's been a joy for me to oversee the school nurse program and mentor staff on the ground. A crucial part of the program is regular debriefs. Each month, we gather virtually to discuss achievements and challenges. It’s an opportunity to connect, learn, problem solve, and encourage the good work happening throughout Kenya. In these sessions, school nurses realized that they were not alone in their challenges and can work together to find ways to keep kids healthy and boost the impact of their efforts. We also lead termly in-person debriefs in Nairobi.

These school nurses are missionaries who serve without ceasing for months. We call them to Nairobi for time to rest, reflect, refresh, and have fun. By the end of each week, the nurses say that they feel loved, heard, cared for, and appreciated. It’s amazing how something as simple as asking, “How are YOU doing?” can mean so much.

Our school nurses holistically addressed physical, social, and spiritual health needs of students, while also educating and empowering caregivers to improve health in the home. They used evidence-based strategies integrated with the Community Health Evangelism approach. This led to decreased absenteeism, positive health behavior changes, and caregivers coming to know Jesus. I am so proud to be a part of a program that is having a big impact.