The Willow Story
July 2020
Concept Development
Willow Concept Note Created During COVID-19
Concept Note for comprehensive digital health communication is developed at the height of Covid-19 by two Standard Group Editors: Dr Mercy Korir and Kamau Mutunga.
October 2022
Founding Discussions
Founders Meet in Nairobi to Address Health Communication Gap
Three media practitioners: Dr Mercy Korir, Kamau Mutunga and Andrew Kipkemboi and one medical researcher, Dr Moses Masika met at a Nairobi Restaurant in Upperhill to explore ways of filling a gap in health communication identified during Covid-19 Pandemic in 2020. Kipkemboi, however, leaves to pursue other private interests.
January – December 2023
Funding Search
Boots-to-the-ground, scouting for funding.
January 2024
Proposal Development
Willow Grant Proposal Submitted to the Gates Foundation
The Willow Concept Note is polished, and grant proposal submitted to The Gates Foundation.
February 2024
Mentorship
Strategic Mentorship Session with Mia Malan of Bhekisisa
Online mentorship meeting with Mia Malan of Bhekisisa, a non-profit media organisation based in South Africa.
March 2024
Editorial Framework
Willow Editorial Policy Guidelines Developed
Willow Editorial Policy Guidelines crafted.
May 2024
Legal Registration
Willow Health Media Officially Registered as an NGO
Willow officially registered under the then, NGO Act. The ‘Willow Story Pitch’ is adopted for guiding content development.Visit to Bhekisisa
July 2024
First Grant
Willow Receives Initial Funding from the Gates Foundation
Willow gets its first grant from The Gates Foundation with a staff of 3 – the Editor-in-Chief & CEO, Content Architect and Digital Editor.
August 2024
Digital Launch Preparation
August 2024
Governance
First Willow Board Meeting Held
Willow gets its first grant from The Gates Foundation with a staff of 3 – the Editor-in-Chief & CEO, Content Architect and Digital Editor.
September 2024
First Publication
Willow Publishes Its First Health Policy Story
The first story, announcing Dr Abdi Mohammed as Chair of Social Health Authority (SHA) is published on Willow’s social media platforms.
September 2024
Office Setup
Willow Secures Office Space and Begins Setup
Office lease signed and partitioning starts.
October 1, 2024
Official Launch
Willow Website Goes Live and Team Expands
Willow website goes live. Employees grow to 8 – including four contributing writers and Operations Manager. Staff move to the new office.
December 2024
Board Leadership
Pamella Makotsi-Sittoni Joins Willow Board and Chairs Editorial Committee
Pamella Makotsi-Sittoni joins the Willow Health Media Board, selected as Chair of the Editorial Committee.
January 2025
Team Development
First Staff Retreat Held at Lake Elementaita
First staff retreat at Lake Elementaita Mountain Lodge, Nakuru County.
January 2025
International Collaboration
Willow Team Benchmarks with Bhekisisa in South Africa
Willow team visits Bhekisisa in Johannesburg to learn from their 10 years in health journalism.
March 2025
Conference Coverage
Willow Covers AHAIC in Kigali, Rwanda
Willow team covers the Africa Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC in Kigali, Rwanda.
March 2025
Global Media Partnership
Willow Participates in Global Media Convening in Madrid
Willow is part of participants during the Global Media Partnership Convening in Madrid, Spain under the aegis of the Gates Foundation.
April 2025
Global Syndication
Global African Times Syndicates Willow Story
Ghana syndicates our first story on hospital insecurity in Kenya.
May 2025
International Coverage
Willow Covers World Health Assembly in Geneva
Willow team covers the World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland.
June 2025
Strategic Partnership
KEMRI Becomes Willow Training Partner
Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) becomes our first partner in training and incubating health practitioners into health journalism and public health communication.
September 2025
Conference Participation
Willow Team Attends CPHIA in Durban
Willow team attends the Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA) in Durban, South Africa.
October 2025
Anniversary
Willow Health Media First Anniversary
Willow Health Media turns one.
October 2025
Staff Recognition
Willow Journalists Win National Media Awards
Yvonne Kawira wins the FIDA Gender Responsive Reporter of the Year, while Asha Bekidusa wins the Environment, Climate Change and Health award and Kawira, again, wins the UHC and Health Technology Features Award.
November 2025
Audience Engagement
Launch of Willow WhatsApp Newsletters
Willow monthly and quarterly WhatsApp Newsletters are launched.
December 2025
Internal Recognition
Willow Launches Quarterly Excellence Awards
Willow launches the in-house Willow Quarterly Excellence Awards and ‘Wall of Fame’ with Joyce Mutheu’s winning story, taking the cake as the best feature of the quarter.
January 2026
Organisational Growth
Willow Celebrates First Anniversary
Willow celebrates its belated first anniversary with 25 staffers.
