Save lives in Kenya with stronger trauma care

November 6th 2025 marked an extraordinary milestone at Londiani Sub-County Hospital in Kenya — the official opening of the Living Hope Emergency and Trauma Centre, a moment that will transform emergency care for generations.

Thank you so much for your part in making this happen - a Centre Built from Tragedy — and from Hope

The centre was officially opened by Irish Ambassador to Kenya, Caroline Ingoldsby. She was joined by Evelyn Maris (Deputy Irish Ambassador to Kenya), H.E. Dr. Erick Mutai (Governor Kericho County), Hon. Richard Langat (MCA Kedowa Kimugul), Dr. Betty Langat (County Director for Health), Dr. Collins Kipkoech (Medical Superintendent, Londiani Sub-County Hospital), families affected by the accident with representative Rosemary Chepkemoi and Martin Ballantyne (CEO), Maria Kidney (Director), staff, volunteers and board members of Brighter Communities Worldwide.

Two years ago, one of Kenya’s worst road traffic accidents occurred at Londiani Junction. Fifty-two lives were lost. Dozens were severely injured. Families and entire communities were changed forever.

The Living Hope Emergency and Trauma Centre stands today as a direct response to that heartbreaking day — a place built from grief, solidarity, and determination that such devastation should never be faced again without the right care close by.

Until now, the nearest trauma facility was 50km away. In moments where every second counts, that distance can mean the difference between life and death.

This Centre changes that reality.

A Purpose-Built, Sustainable Facility

Designed specifically for trauma care, the Centre includes:

          •         10 emergency beds

          •         A minor theatre for rapid stabilisation

          •         Medical and nursing station

          •         Ambulance bay

          •         Dedicated storage areas

          •         Handwashing stations and bathrooms

          •         Solar power system

          •         Rainwater harvesting system

Its open-plan, modern design ensures efficiency, safety, and fast response — especially during mass-casualty events.

Dedicated to the 52 Lives Lost - the Living Hope Centre is named not only for healing, but in honour of the 52 people who lost their lives on that tragic day. It also honours those who survived — many with life-altering injuries — and the families who continue to rebuild.

This Centre is their legacy - It is a place where remembrance becomes action, and where solidarity becomes life-saving care.

This achievement belongs to a community of supporters whose belief, generosity, and partnership helped turn hope into reality.  Our heartfelt thanks to you for your response and your part in making this day a reality.

You have helped create a lasting legacy of hope and healing for the people of Kericho County and beyond Photo Highlights

Already Saving Lives Through Training - Just one day after the opening, the Centre was in full use — hosting training sessions for hospital staff and volunteers from Ireland. Together they practised trauma procedures, shared skills, and ran emergency response scenarios.

This marks the beginning of a wider plan to strengthen trauma and first-response capacity across the region.

Coming next:

          •         Advanced trauma care training for Londiani Hospital staff

          •         Remote Emergency Care training for:

          •         Community Health Promoters

          •         Boda Boda (motorbike taxi) drivers

          •         Police officers

These are the first responders who bridge the gap between accident scenes and hospital care — and their training will save countless lives.

Your continued support can help ensure that trauma care reaches everyone who needs it — from rescue to recovery.

Tuesday, December 2nd is Giving Tuesday when all donations will receive match funding through GlobalGiving.

Links:

• Kenyan TV coverage of Trauma Centre opening

Thank you so much for your support of this life saving project.  We have a very exciting update for you from Carolyne Chepngetich, Health Programme Coordinator.

Huge strides have been made towards completing the trauma care building since our last report. The laying of a driveway and parking area and the construction of the base for the water tanks is finished. Rainwater harvested from the roof will be stored in five 6,000 litre and one 10,000 litre water tanks.

The solar hot water system and storage tanks have been installed and the installation of the solar panels for a solar power system is complete. These installations are more than infrastructure—they are lifelines. Clean water. Reliable power. Hot water for emergency care. And crucially, significant savings on electricity bills, freeing up funds to tackle the hospital’s many challenges.  To everyone who made this possible—Asante Sana.

Other ongoing works include the completion of the covered walkways connecting the trauma centre to other departments in the hospital, the installation of an oxygen pipeline network and the procurement of equipment.

Once operational, the solar hot water system will substantially reduce electricity expenses and ensure a reliable, consistent supply of hot water throughout the facility. The Solar panels also provides sustainable electricity ensuring uninterrupted power for life-saving medical equipment such as defibrillators, oxygen concentrators and monitors

Providing the hospital staff team with the skills, resources and confidence to handle trauma cases is critical for improving patient outcomes and reducing preventable deaths. Four  health care workers from Londiani Sub County Hospital attended a 3-day Wilderness First Aid Training in May which was delivered by Response Med company in partnership with Brighter Communities Worldwide. The topics covered in the course include; The Prehospital Environment, Scene Management, Airway Management, Management of Unconscious Patient, Circulation & Shock, General bone/Joint Injuries (Fracture management), Illness, Bites & Stings and Practical Scenarios.

The health care workers, Emmanuel from Physiotherapy and Winny, Kevin & Maureen from Orthopaedic department, appreciated the opportunity to train on this topic. They were able to learn how to use a Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) and Stretch, Wrap & Truck Tourniquet (SWAT) to control bleeding on traumatic cases. They also learned how to use the Automated External Machine (AED), how to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) effectively, moving trapped casualties from accident scenes and managing a choked casualty. After the training, the trained staff gave presentation on Compound fracture, Sprain and Strain during Continuous Medical Education (CME).

Your donations are hugely appreciated to support providing the Trauma Centre with equipment including defibrillators, oxygen concentrators, bedside monitors, beds, emergency trolleys, stretchers, wheelchairs, drip stands, IT infrastructure and more.

On Wednesday, July 16, we’re inviting you to go further with us and have your generosity matched.

For 24 hours only, all donations of $100 or more will be matched through GlobalGiving’s July Bonus Day.

Even more: The higher your donation, the higher the match — and you increase our chances of unlocking up to $1,200 in bonus prizes. That’s funding that will help support the fit out of the Trauma centre, at a time when your generosity means more than ever.

Matching begins at 3pm Irish Time/5pm Kenyan time/10 am EDT on Wednesday, July 16, and lasts for 24 hours.

Thank you for your part in making this project a reality.