Last year, the Talek Maternal, Newborn and Child Health facility opened with support from The Maa Trust and partners including Asilia Africa.
Mothers in this part of the Mara, have lived with some of the poorest maternal and child health outcomes in the country. Many women laboured without skilled support, and complications that are entirely treatable in a well-equipped setting often became life-threatening.
From March 2024 to October 2025, the Talek MNCH Centre has recorded an impressive 728 deliveries, including 545 normal births and 183 caesarean sections were performed were for complications that previously carried much higher risk. A third of all deliveries have been to adolescent mothers, a group who often arrive with fewer resources and who benefit greatly from having a calm, well-supported place to give birth. The neonatal high dependency unit has already treated premature and unwell newborns who, only a short time ago, would have needed to travel far for help. For many families this is the first time such care has been available close to home.
Asilia has been a cornerstone in this journey. We’ve contributed over US$12,500 towards Mama Kits, a postnatal package including essentials such as reusable maternity pads, mosquito nets, baby clothes, soap and a household water filter. These kits both ease the transition into motherhood provide essential supplies to care for themselves and their newborns in the critical weeks following childbirth.
This year, instead of giving Christmas gifts in camp, we are using these funds to donate additional Mama Kits to the clinic.
Care close to home
A number of case stories this year reflect the value of having care nearby. One young mother, Purity, attended her antenatal appointments regularly and arrived at the clinic when her twins were due. Labour progressed slowly but without concern. After the birth, she experienced heavy bleeding, something she had not expected. The maternity team responded with quickly and the bleeding, which could have been life-threatening without intervention settled. Her daughters stayed in the ward for observation, and the family returned home a few days later.
A young 18 year old mother arrived when her newborn son struggled after delivery in a nearby clinic. He was quiet, breathing irregularly and needed more support than could be given locally. He was admitted with severe birth asphyxia and convulsions. At Talek the team treated him with oxygen therapy, anti-convulsant medication, and feeding through a nasogastric tube, closely monitoring his progress for several days. By the end of the second week, he was feeding well and ready to go home.
Stories like these are not unusual and highlight the importance of this facility to the local community. Many of our own teams in camp have family members and friends who have benefitted from attending the clinic. Maternal and newborn care often turns on timing. Being able to act early, with the right staff and equipment, avoids many of the outcomes that previously placed families under strain.
Mama Kits
The Mama Kits have become a helpful link between the clinic and the community. For women who have limited means, receiving the kit provides important care items they might not otherwise be able to access. It reduces the need to bring supplies from home and makes the choice to deliver at the clinic more appealing. Staff say that mothers often ask about the kits during antenatal visits, which opens the door to discussing birth plans and recognising warning signs sooner.
Asilia’s contribution sits within a broader commitment to the Mara, where health, education and conservation are closely linked. Strong local services reduce pressure on households, support women’s wellbeing and open new opportunities for families. Over time, this strengthens the relationship between people and the landscape they live in.
With the help of guest donations and conservation fees, Asilia is able to make a significant Positive Impact towards our goal to empower these areas and the communities and wildlife that call them home.
