Playbook/Kaduna: Free medical outreach for over 100 widows and elderly residents
Steward: Evelyn
Secondary issue bucket: WEL - Welfare
Summary: The Kaduna Circle ran a free medical outreach for widows and elderly residents, with a target of serving at least 50 people. It lined up partners before spending any money, including a free venue, doctors, optometrists, lab scientists and pharmacists, and ran the day as a station-by-station flow covering health education, vitals, testing, consultations, medication and eye care. Over 100 people were served, double the target. Those who tested non-reactive for Hepatitis B received a first vaccine dose, others were referred for further care, and three widows received small business grants.
The issue
Widows and elderly residents lacked accessible basic healthcare. Some beneficiaries reportedly had never seen an outreach like this in their community that enabled them to access this care.
Why was it winnable
The Circle sequenced one initiative per month (Aug–Nov) and lined up partners before spending any of the stipend or donated funds: a free venue, two doctors from the Circle, two optometrists from Eagle Eye Clinic, volunteer lab scientists and pharmacists, and DJFL volunteers. The target was modest (50).
Who was affected
Widows and elderly residents in the community.
The goal
Serve at least 50 widows with consultations, BP and glucose checks, Hep B/C and malaria testing, education, medication, Hep B vaccination and referrals. The July plan also included small business grants for three widows.
What they did
- Set a modest, winnable target. The Circle aimed to serve at least 50 widows and elderly residents, a goal it could realistically meet with limited funds.
- Planned a roadmap. In July, the Circle mapped out one initiative per month from August to November, with the medical outreach first.
- Ran a fundraising campaign. The Circle launched a campaign for the widows on FundBrave and promoted it through Logos X Spaces to reach supporters beyond Kaduna.
- Lined up partners before spending money. House of Abundance RCCG provided a free venue. Two doctors came from the Circle, two optometrists from Eagle Eye Clinic Kaduna, and volunteer lab scientists, pharmacists and DJFL Foundation volunteers joined, with support from Logos Circle Kano’s steward and members.
- Designed a station-by-station flow. Each beneficiary moved through a hepatitis education session, a vitals station for blood pressure and glucose checks, Hep B/C and malaria testing, a doctor consultation, a pharmacy and eye care.
- Delivered the outreach in August. The Circle served over 100 people, double its target. Those who tested non-reactive for Hep B received their first vaccine dose, and people who needed further care were referred.
- Awarded three micro-grants. Three widows received small business grants to support their income.
- Reviewed what to improve. Supplies ran short because turnout exceeded projections. The Circle identified the need to start fundraising and partner outreach earlier, recruit more volunteers, collect better beneficiary data and set up follow-up monitoring for people needing continued care.
Who they worked with
DJFL Foundation, House of Abundance RCCG (venue), Eagle Eye Clinic Kaduna, Logos Circle Kano's steward and members, and Mirror Hub - a pan-African Web3 education organisation that runs programmes and partnerships onboarding new people to emerging technologies.
What worked
The multi-station flow, strong partnerships, a sense of ownership among members, and support from the Kano Circle. The Kano Steward and Circle members volunteered at the event, and also coordinated with the organisations involved in delivering the winnable issue.
What didn't work / would change
Start fundraising and partner outreach earlier, recruit more volunteers, collect better beneficiary data, and set up follow-up monitoring for people needing continued care. Supplies were stretched when turnout beat projections.
The outcome
100+ people served with medical care against a target of 50. Three microgrants for widows were given of at least $20 each. The grants were intended to help beneficiaries purchase business supplies or restocking existing businesses.
What was learned
Committed local organisers can pool partners and volunteers to deliver a full health day on limited funds.
What could another Circle replicate
The station-by-station flow, partnering with clinics and faith venues, and setting a modest target that can be beaten.
Resources
Media: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1pmmKufYq_R1iIVmXd21o4vS2KT1zFMk