Although Burning Bush has expanded its outreach in central Kenya to include microlending initiatives, our principal focus to date has been on supporting nurses who operate clinics in rural areas. Since Kenya’s health care delivery system does not extend to many rural villages, nurses are often the only source of medical care in remote communities. Our involvement with the nurses of the Mt. Kenya cluster has convinced us that nurses are a critical component in structuring health care delivery systems in developing countries that reach beyond urban centers to serve remote areas. We believe the key to improving global health is empowering nurses and community health workers in these rural areas who are on the front lines of treating people with health needs. These health care professionals have varying levels of education—sometimes just two years of high school—and often only the most basic training, but are compelled by necessity to engage in the advanced practice of nursing, diagnosing illnesses and prescribing and dispensing medicine. Frequently delivering care in spite of limited supplies and equipment, they are self-reliant, capable, professional, and eager for additional training to increase their competence.

Efforts are currently underway in central Kenya to develop the nursing profession through standardized practice, research, and graduate education. Our organization is actively engaged in supporting these efforts. We hope our investments in training and equipping health care professionals will lead to the development of a model program that can be implemented in any setting, austere or urban, to showcase the critical role of nurses in advancing global health initiatives.