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PROACTIVE HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES INITIATIVE

· EIN · heri-kenya.org
profile · synthesized from sources

Health and Environmental Research Institute-Kenya (HERI-Kenya) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2021 that advances community health and environmental sustainability through research-driven solutions. Based in Diani, South Coast Kenya, it addresses organic waste management, vector-borne diseases, and climate resilience by integrating scientific research with community action. The organization operates the Black Soldier Fly Farm, which converts organic waste into fertilizer and animal feed, and runs education and capacity-building programs in schools and communities.

named programs · 7 · from sources

what they call their work

Black Soldier Fly Farm
Converts organic waste into organic fertilizer and protein-rich animal feed using black soldier fly larvae; serves as a training hub and demonstration site for circular economy solutions
Diani Sustainability Collective
Multi-stakeholder platform uniting hotels, businesses, conservation groups, and communities to promote sustainable tourism and waste management in Diani
Eco Restoration Activities
Organizes tree planting and coastal clean-up initiatives involving communities and schools to restore ecosystems and combat climate change
Gender Leadership for our World (GLOW)
Mentorship initiative founded by Professor Desiree LaBeaud to uplift women leaders in health and environmental sectors across Kenya
HERI Capacity Building Hub
Community resource center providing training, research access, and tools to support local actors in health, conservation, and sustainable development
HERI Community Education Forums
Hosts community dialogues and action activities including clean-ups and habitat restoration to address local health and environmental issues
HERI School Eco-Clubs
Engages primary school students in environmental stewardship through hands-on projects like tree planting, waste management, and climate education
activities · 6 groups

what they do

  • Insect-Based Organic Waste Recycling 2 activities
    • Black Soldier Fly Farm operation
      Operates a Black Soldier Fly (BSF) farm in Diani, South Coast Kenya that converts organic waste into organic fertilizer and protein-rich animal feed, contributing to waste reduction, improved environmental conditions, food security, and income generation for local communities.
    • Demonstration site and eco-tours
      Operates a live demonstration site and training hub at the Black Soldier Fly Farm that hosts guided eco-tours, hands-on learning, and virtual experiences for diverse groups to showcase organic waste transformation and circular economy practices.
  • Community-Led Tree Planting & Environmental Stewardship 2 activities
    • School-based environmental education initiative
      Implements school-based eco-clubs and educational programs that engage students in tree planting, waste management, climate education, and conservation through interactive discussions, demonstrations, experiments, and projects to build environmental and public health awareness.
    • Tree planting and habitat restoration
      Planted 15,000 trees and conducts ongoing tree planting and coastal clean-up initiatives to support environmental sustainability and habitat restoration in the Diani region.
  • Biodiversity & Environmental Research Monitoring 1 activity
    • Applied research on organic waste and circular economy
      Conducts community-based and applied research on organic waste management and circular economy models in Diani, including real-time data collection, model testing, and evidence generation to inform policy and practice.
  • Community-Led Waste Reduction & Recycling 1 activity
    • Community education and outreach programs
      Conducts community education forums, coastal clean-ups, tree planting, and habitat restoration activities involving schools, local communities, and volunteers to promote community-led environmental solutions and reduce pollution.
  • Green Job and Enterprise Creation 1 activity
    • Temporary job creation through environmental projects
      Created 100 temporary jobs linked to time-bound environmental projects, supporting livelihoods while advancing waste management and sustainability goals.
  • Uncategorized 3 activities
    • Events and knowledge-sharing forums
      Organizes events and conferences focused on environmental health and sustainability to facilitate knowledge exchange, community engagement, and dissemination of research findings.
    • Research on environmental health and vector-borne diseases
      Conducts interdisciplinary research integrating public health, environmental science, and community knowledge to address environmental health risks, climate variability, waste management, and vector-borne diseases, producing over 120 peer-reviewed publications and policy-relevant findings.
    • Training and capacity building for communities and professionals
      Trains community service providers, youth, and women in environmental health and sustainability practices; offers internships, fellowships, and field placements for students and early-career professionals to build capacity in research and sustainability.
relationships · 9

who they work with

  • Diani Beach Youth Cleaning Partner — Partners on tree planting, youth engagement, and community environmental ownership initiatives.
  • Diani Sustainability Collective Partner — Leverages collective expertise and resources to align understanding of local challenges and inform joint interventions.
  • Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Government — Works within EPR frameworks requiring responsible waste handling, contributing to compliance and sustainability efforts.
  • Gombato Youth for Change Partner — Collaborates on community awareness forums and team capacity building.
  • HERI Partner — Implements the School Eco-Clubs Project as a school-based initiative to promote environmental and public health education.
  • HERI Black Soldier Fly (BSF) Farm Partner — Host site for learning and eco-tours focused on organic waste management and circular economy solutions.
  • Social Good Fund Government — Manages funds for the campaign
  • Stanford University School of Medicine Partner — Hosts Professor Desiree LaBeaud, a research lead, and collaborates on infectious disease and environmental health research.
  • Technical University of Mombasa Partner — Hosts Professor Francis Mutuku, a research lead, and collaborates on vector-borne disease and environmental health research.