How couple's health facility is saving lives in rural Siaya

In the heart of Siaya County, a couple’s shared dream has become a lifeline for thousands.

Sylvia Adoyo and her late husband, Stephen Ondiek, laid the foundation for the Matangwe Community Health and Development Programme in 1996 — a grassroots health facility born not from privilege, but from purpose.

“The idea of building a hospital never left us. Eventually, we realised we didn’t need to wait for change. We could be the change,” recalls Adoyo.

That revelation led to the founding of Caring Partners Global, a charity that helped them gather partners and funds for what would become a decades-long mission.

Years of receiving desperate calls from relatives — seeking help for medical bills, funerals, or orphaned children — pushed the couple to act.

“It was constant. We knew we needed a solution that could uplift our family and the entire community sustainably,” she says.

Adoyo, a Canadian-trained nurse with 36 years of clinical and leadership experience, partnered with village elders to craft a shared vision: improving lives through accessible healthcare.

Now, more than 30 years since their return from Canada, their vision thrives. Matangwe has transformed into a healthcare hub serving 17 rural villages. It boasts a 37-bed inpatient ward, a dedicated maternity wing, a certified mortuary, and employment for local residents.

“We added the funeral home to meet health regulations, but it also helps families plan burials with dignity,” Adoyo explains.

Residents from North Sakwa, West Asembo, and West Uyoma wards benefit from the facility’s services. Recently, the hospital unveiled a state-of-the-art maternity theatre, equipped for Caesarean sections and other essential procedures. Siaya Governor James Orengo led the inauguration, calling the facility a “milestone in rural maternal care.”

Despite losing her husband to cerebral malaria in April 2022, Adoyo has remained steadfast. For 25 years, Caring Partners Global has supported infrastructure, scholarships, clean water, and skills training in the region.

Her secret? “Strong governance, passionate leadership, and good partners — both here and in Canada. There’s enough wealth in the world to end poverty, but not enough willingness to share it.”