Health and Economic development strategy Organization (HEDSO)

What Health and Economic development strategy Organization (HEDSO) does

Health and Economic Development Strategy Organization (HEDSO) is a Kenyan community-based non-profit headquartered in Kisumu with a secondary office in Muhoroni, operating across 10 counties (Kisumu, Siaya, Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, Migori, Homa Bay, Kwale, Tana River, plus one additional county). Founded in February 2017 as a grassroots youth group and formalized as a CBO in August 2021, the organization delivers integrated development programs to adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), teenage mothers, young widows, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Lake Victoria fishing communities, sugarcane belt areas, and urban slums. The organization employs 24 staff and reports reaching 47,940+ AGYW and PWDs to date, with a strategic plan targeting 1 million young people through digital channels by 2030.

HEDSO organizes its work around four strategic pillars: HEAL-WELL (integrated primary healthcare, SRHR, mental health, GBV response, WASH, HIV prevention), 3Es (education, employment, enterprise development), SLAC (climate-smart agribusiness, ecosystem restoration, disaster risk management), and GDI (governance, diversity, inclusion). Underlying technology includes a multilingual, disability-friendly mobile application and USSD platform for GBV reporting and health referrals, e-agriculture and digital agribusiness tools, a digitized Social Justice and Inclusion (SJI) tracking dashboard, and a community-led peer-education delivery infrastructure. Sub-programs include Knit Her Future, Bytes of Change (digital safety with KE-CIRT/NCERT in Busia), Trash to Treasure (circular economy), Rescue Dada, and Tupigane na Ufisadi (TUNU, anti-corruption). Distribution is direct and free of charge to beneficiaries via community health champions, school-based clubs (100+), mobile clinics, football-for-change tournaments, and TVET partnerships.

The business model is grant-funded: HEDSO receives programmatic contributions from institutional donors including the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Zipline Kenya, Plan International, VOICE, Care Kenya, YWCA Kenya, White Ribbon Alliance, Tinada Africa, Nairobits, and KE-CIRT/NCERT, plus individual donations through PayPal, M-Pesa, and paybill channels. No commercial pricing applies; all services are free to beneficiaries. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. Go-to-market is community-led: grassroots mobilization, peer-led sharing, intergenerational dialogues, and school-based entry points drive both beneficiary acquisition and program delivery, with county government partnerships (Kisumu, Siaya, and others) providing enabling environments for service integration.

Name

Health and Economic development strategy Organization (HEDSO)

Legal name

Health and Economic Development Strategy Organization

Website

https://hedso.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Health and Economic Development Strategy Organization (HEDSO) is a Kenyan community-based non-profit serving adolescent girls, young women, teenage mothers, youth, and persons with disabilities across 10 counties through integrated health, economic empowerment, climate justice, and inclusive governance programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Health and Development Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (624110), Social Assistance (624), Human Rights Organizations (813311), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment (BPAGABAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Safeguarding) (BPADAHAF), Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health (MNCAH) Partnerships (HLAJAOAG), Child Protection & Child Rights (BPAGABAG), Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health Administration (BPAIAJAJ), Communicable Disease Prevention & Control (HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, NTDs) (BPADAIAA)

Keywords

• Community health programs
• Gender-based violence prevention
• Sexual reproductive health
• Youth economic empowerment
• Climate-smart agriculture

Headquarters

HQ city

Kisumu

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donor and Grant Funding: HEDSO operates as a nonprofit organization funded by institutional donors, international foundations, and development partners. Major funding partners include Zipline Kenya, Elton John AIDS Foundation, and Plan International. The organization receives grants and donations to fund its programmatic work across health, economic empowerment, and climate justice initiatives.
2. Individual Donations and Fundraising: HEDSO accepts individual donations through its website (PayPal), mobile money (M-Pesa DIAL *483*57*103484#), and paybill (891300, Account: 103484). The organization conducts fundraising events such as community walks to support the 'Knit Her Future' initiative and other programs.
3. Donor and Partner Contributions: HEDSO receives programmatic and financial contributions from institutional donors and development partners including VOICE, Plan International, Tinada Africa, Care Kenya, YWCA Kenya, White Ribbon Alliance, and others who co-fund and co-implement various programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

HEDSO delivers integrated community development services focused on the health, economic empowerment, climate resilience, and inclusive governance of adolescent girls, young women, teenage mothers, young widows, youth, and persons with disabilities across 10 counties in western Kenya. Services span sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence response, mental health support, HIV prevention, WASH, vocational and digital skills training, climate-smart agribusiness, and inclusive governance, all delivered free of charge through community health champions, schools, mobile clinics, and digital platforms.

Product overview

HEDSO operates as a multi-program NGO offering integrated community development services across Kenya's fishing communities, sugar belt areas, and slums. The organization runs four interconnected strategic pillars: HEAL-WELL (integrated health and wellbeing addressing SRHR, mental health, GBV, WASH, and HIV prevention), 3Es (education, employment and enterprise development), SLAC (sustainable livelihoods, climate-smart agriculture, and climate justice), and GDI (governance, diversity and inclusion). These core programs are supported by specific initiatives including Knit Her Future, Bytes of Change, Trash to Treasure, Rescue Dada, and Tupigane na Ufisadi (TUNU). The portfolio includes both programmatic interventions and organizational governance policies, all focused on empowering adolescent girls, young women, teenage mothers, youth, and persons with disabilities across 10 counties in Kenya.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HEAL-WELL: HEDSO's flagship integrated health and wellbeing program addressing physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health for adolescent girls, young women, youth, and persons with disabilities across 10 counties in Kenya.
• 3Es
• SLAC
• GDI
• Knit Her Future
• Kuwa Mshujaa
• Bytes of Change
• Trash to Treasure
• Rescue Dada
• Tupigane na Ufisadi (TUNU)

Products and services

• HEAL-WELL (Integrated Health and Wellbeing) HEDSO's flagship integrated health initiative improving access to comprehensive primary health care for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYWs), youth, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) across 10 counties in Kenya, addressing physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health through inclusive, community-driven approaches.
• 3Es (Education, Employment & Enterprise Development) Comprehensive initiative advancing access to quality and inclusive education, employability, skills development, and entrepreneurship for AGYWs, youth, and PWDs across 10 targeted counties in Kenya, creating pathways linking education to employment and sustainable business enterprises.
• SLAC (Sustainable Livelihoods, Agribusiness & Climate Justice) Dedicated initiative empowering AGYWs, youth, and PWDs through building economic resilience via climate-smart agriculture, sustainable land governance, environmental conservation, and green enterprise development across 10 counties in Kenya.
• GDI (Governance, Diversity & Inclusion) Cross-cutting initiative fostering inclusive governance, participatory decision-making, and social justice, operating as both a standalone program and an integrated thread through HEAL-WELL, 3Es, and SLAC, ensuring marginalized voices are centered in processes shaping their futures.
• Knit Her Future Initiative Initiative breaking the cycle of exploitation in Kisumu's fishing communities, providing economic empowerment through skills training, comprehensive SRH education, and holistic support including menstrual hygiene products and mental health care for adolescent girls and young women.
• Bytes of Change Digital safety initiative empowering women and persons with disabilities in Busia County with knowledge, tools, and confidence to navigate the digital world safely, providing accessible reporting mechanisms for cybercrime incidents.
• Trash to Treasure Youth-led circular economy initiative engaging AGYW and youth in repurposing plastic and paper waste into valuable items such as gift bags, flower vases, decorative items, and eco-friendly products through capacity building sessions.
• Rescue Dada Initiative building safe and resilient communities free from violence and abuse against AGYW in learning institutions, addressing the triple threat of HIV infections, teenage pregnancy, and sexual gender-based violence within school environments.
• Tupigane na Ufisadi (TUNU) Project Anti-corruption initiative promoting integrity, accountability, and ethical leadership among students and youth, nurturing responsible leaders who drive transparency, good governance, and positive social change in Kenya.
• GBV Prevention Program Gender-Based Violence prevention and response program enhancing self-advocacy among AGYW, youths, and PWDs while ensuring prevention and response mechanisms are functional at all levels through integrated health, education, livelihoods, and governance interventions.
• AYSRH (Adolescent & Youth Sexual Reproductive Health) Cornerstone initiative empowering young people with comprehensive knowledge, skills, and services related to sexual and reproductive health across 10 counties in Kenya, addressing challenges including high teenage pregnancy rates and limited access to SRHR services.
• WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) Water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions under HEAL-WELL ensuring AGYWs, youth, and PWDs have good health through school-based programs, community health dialogues, integration with climate-smart agriculture, and advocacy for improved inclusive WASH infrastructure.
• Mental Health & Psychosocial Support Comprehensive mental health education and awareness campaign under HEAL-WELL tailored to needs of AGYW, youth, and PWDs, including peer educator training, school-based mental health clubs, integrated screening, and digital mental health platforms.
• HIV Prevention & SRHR HIV prevention initiative under HEAL-WELL reaching AGYW, youth, and PWDs across 10 counties with comprehensive, inclusive, and culturally sensitive health services, addressing root causes of vulnerability to HIV and improving SRHR outcomes.
• Climate-Smart Agriculture Climate-smart agriculture and agribusiness initiatives under SLAC addressing climate change impacts, collapsed sugarcane economies, and environmental degradation through green enterprise incubation and climate-resilient farming practices.
• Ecosystem Protection and Restoration Environmental conservation initiative under SLAC empowering AGYWs, youth, and PWDs on land governance, ecosystem restoration, waste management, and circular economy across 10 targeted counties.
• Disaster Risk Management Disaster risk reduction initiative under SLAC addressing climate change and environmental shocks through climate-smart agriculture, environmental conservation, and community resilience building across 10 targeted counties.

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Zipline KenyacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZipline Kenya is a key strategic partner in HEDSO's 'End Triple Threat' Youth Engagement Project. Zipline provides drone-based medical supply delivery enabling health services to be brought directly to youth at community events. The partnership brings HIV testing, PrEP, PEP, condoms, and family planning services to young people in safe, youth-friendly spaces at football fields and community gatherings.
• Plan InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlan International is listed as a donor partner supporting HEDSO's programs for adolescent girls and young women in Kenya.
• Care KenyacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCare Kenya partners with HEDSO on development programs addressing health, economic empowerment, and gender equality in western Kenya.
• YWCA KenyacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYWCA Kenya collaborates with HEDSO on programs serving women, youth, and communities in Kenya.
• Kisumu County GovernmentcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerKisumu County Government partners with HEDSO on health service delivery, policy alignment, and community development programs. The county government provides enabling environments for HEDSO's programs in the region.
• KE-CIRT/NCERT (Kenya Computer Incident Response Team / National Computer Incident Emergency Response Team)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerKE-CIRT/NCERT partners with HEDSO's Bytes of Change project for cybersecurity incident response, providing technical support for digital safety training and cybercrime reporting mechanisms in Busia County.
• White Ribbon AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWhite Ribbon Alliance is listed as a donor and partner supporting HEDSO's health and advocacy programs in Kenya.
• Tinada AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTinada Africa is a donor and implementing partner supporting HEDSO's youth and community development programs in Kenya.
• Pamoja CBOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPamoja CBO is a community-based organization partner collaborating with HEDSO on local development initiatives in Kenya.
• NayaKenyacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNayaKenya is listed as a partner organization supporting HEDSO's programs in Kenya.
• Youth in Action (YACT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYACT (Youth in Action) movement is a partner organization collaborating with HEDSO on youth empowerment and advocacy initiatives.
• Muungano (Siaya Muungano Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMuungano Network in Siaya partners with HEDSO on community development and advocacy programs targeting fishing and rural communities.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Plan International Kenya: Country office of a global INGO implementing AGYW-focused health, education, and gender equality programs in Kenya. Directly comparable given overlapping AGYW thematic focus and co-funding relationship with HEDSO.
• LVCT Health: Leading Kenyan health NGO specializing in HIV prevention, SRHR, and GBV response for adolescents and key populations. Directly comparable beneficiary focus and integrated service delivery approach.
• CARE International Kenya: Kenyan operation of a major INGO running integrated women's empowerment, health, and economic development programs in western Kenya. Closely comparable mission, beneficiary segments, and donor ecosystem.
• GROOTS Kenya: National network of grassroots women-led organizations focused on community development, governance, and economic empowerment in Kenya. Comparable grassroots mobilization model and gender-focused mission.
• Population Council Kenya: Global research and programs organization with a Kenya office focused on adolescent health, HIV prevention, and gender equity evidence generation. Comparable given shared AGYW, SRHR, and GBV evidence-building orientation.
• Naya Kenya: Kenyan NGO working on SRHR and gender equality with explicit focus on adolescents and young women. Direct peer and existing HEDSO partner, with overlapping programmatic scope.
• ActionAid Kenya: Rights-based Kenyan NGO operating across women's rights, youth empowerment, and governance themes with grassroots mobilization. Comparable programmatic mix and community-led delivery approach.
• AMREF Health Africa: Africa's largest health NGO, headquartered in Nairobi, with strong programs in SRHR, maternal and child health, and community health worker training across Kenya. Directly comparable health and community-based delivery model.
• YWCA Kenya: National women's empowerment organization running programs on GBV, women's economic empowerment, and youth leadership in Kenya. Direct peer given shared mission and existing partnership with HEDSO.

Emerging players

• Women for Women International (Kenya): Global NGO running women's economic empowerment and GBV programs in Kenya with a strong rights-based curriculum. Comparable focus on economically empowering marginalized women, though delivered through a more structured training model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/health-and-economic-development-strategy-organization-hedso

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Health and Economic development strategy Organization (HEDSO)