Late last year, we launched an inspiring new project with Laikipia Hospice and the Nanyuki Cancer Support Group, aiming to help women after breast cancer surgery feel comfortable and confident again. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Kenya, with around 7,000 women diagnosed each year, and for many, the challenges don’t end with treatment. Prostheses can be expensive or hard to find, leaving women with ongoing discomfort and emotional strain.
The project trains local women, many of them survivors or carers, to knit soft, affordable breast prostheses. The first three-day training brought women together, full of energy and shared experiences. They started with low-cost yarn to practise their skills, then moved on to organic cotton for the finished prostheses. Meetings continue regularly since the training, creating a supportive space to perfect techniques, share stories and build friendships.
So far, 54 women have gained the skill to make prostheses, not only learning a practical and transferable skill but also forming a strong peer support network. For some, knitting has opened up the possibility of small-scale income generation, helping their households and boosting confidence. The project has already provided 163 women with free, locally made prostheses, giving them a comfortable, dignified alternative to commercial options and helping restore their sense of self after surgery.
This small, community-led project is already making a big difference, helping women recover, connect and feel empowered after breast cancer. You can help this project reach even more women by donating here today. Thank you.