SOTENI International - Breaking the Cycle of Poverty & Disease

Breaking the cycle of poverty and disease

by advancing entrepreneurship, improving healthcare services, and promoting economic opportunity.

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Empowering vulnerable communities

66%

of Kenyans in rural areas live below the poverty line, subsisting on just $3 per day.

Inflation, unemployment, and extreme weather patterns have raised barriers to overcoming poverty.

27%

of adults in Eswatini (ages 15-49) are HIV positive.

According to the World Bank, Eswatini has the world’s highest HIV prevalence rate among adults, which is both a consequence and a driver of high poverty and inequality.

8.9 million

Kenyans live in extreme poverty, fighting to survive on less than $2 per day

Chronic poverty makes them vulnerable to preventable, but life-threatening diseases like HIV, malaria, and waterborne diseases.

About Us

SOTENI International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit registered in the United States and Kenya with over 20 years of experience in sustainable development and the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa. Our mission now includes breaking the cycle of poverty AND disease by advancing entrepreneurship, health services, and wellbeing in Kenya and Eswatini.

OUR MISSION

Our Programs

The interrelated struggles in Sub-Saharan Africa, stemming from poverty, can only be overcome through the strengthening of health and wellbeing, economic empowerment and independence. That’s where SOTENI comes in. SOTENI partners with semi-autonomous Villages of Hope (SVHs) to implement programs in alignment with our three strategic pillars:

Health

Strengthening health and wellbeing in communities affected by HIV/AIDS through SOTENI AIDS Barefoot Doctors (ABDs). ABDs are community health workers who provide home-based care, support group therapy, education, and access to safe drinking water.

Entrepreneurship

Developing small business ventures and income-generating activities to ensure economic independence for Swazi SHEROES and sustainability for HIV Support Groups.

Community Wellbeing

Broadening our impact with need-based programming in SOTENI Villages of Hope, from health clinics to support for secondary education.

A Trusted Presence
in Each Community

Locally Led and Driven

Over 20 Years of Experience

Testimonials

Emma

“We face many challenges, but are self-sustaining”

Emma encourages other women to come to HIV Support Groups to learn about SOTENI and how to lead a healthy life. She takes pride in her ability to send all of her children to school, and dreams of continuing her own education one day.

Henry

"My mission is ensuring that my children are well protected and supported.”

Many of the needs in SOTENI Villages of Hope are simple: access to clean water to prevent waterborne disease, and mosquito netting for protection against malaria. With lower resistance to disease, every small precaution is helpful for people living with HIV.

Millicent

“I am a proud Kenyan & wish for much joy in my home country”

As a SOTENI AIDS Barefoot Doctor, Millicent leads several Support Groups and provides education on clean water and healthy living, which makes all of the difference in the lives of her neighbors.