Kenyan health advocate Jerop Limo, on September 22, was recognised in New York by the Gates Foundation as a Goalkeepers Champion for her life-saving work.
The award was presented at the 2025 Goalkeepers event, a high-profile gathering that drew more than 1,000 leaders from across the world.
“At the 2025 Goalkeepers event, Gates lays out a roadmap for saving millions more children’s lives by 2045 if governments stretch every dollar and scale a pipeline of affordable, lifesaving innovations,” read part of the Gates Foundation statement.
Jerop Limo was celebrated for improving HIV awareness and care for children and families across Africa and was named one of ten champions described as experts, innovators, and advocates driving progress in child survival worldwide.
Additionally, Pedro Sánchez, the President of the Government of Spain, was recognised for increasing Spain’s contributions to the Global Fund and Gavi, expanding official development assistance, and hosting the International Conference on Financing for Development.
About Jerop Limo
Jerop Limo, 28, is a Kenyan HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) activist.
She is the Executive Director of the Ambassador for Youth and Adolescent Reproductive Health Program (AYARHEP).
Diagnosed with HIV at age 13, Jerop has lived with this condition since childhood and uses her personal experience to advocate for better pediatric HIV treatment and youth empowerment.
She is passionate about fighting stigma and discrimination, and empowering young people living with HIV to live fulfilling lives and actively participate in their communities.
Limo’s career
Jerop serves on the boards of several national networks, including the National Network of People Living with HIV in Kenya and the Young Women HIV Prevention Council.
She is known for public speaking on socio-economic issues affecting youth, particularly around HIV and health rights, and represents youth voices at national, regional, and global levels.
Her advocacy emphasises youth-led solutions to health challenges, the reduction of new infections among young people, and addressing social issues like gender-based violence and teenage pregnancy.
Her NGO AYARHEP is affiliated with the Y+ Global Network.
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Jerop Limo is a committed mentor and peer educator supporting young people navigating HIV treatment and the challenges of living with HIV from an early age.
Global Health Funding Concerns
The recognition came amid warnings of a global health funding crisis.
According to Gates Foundation Chair Bill Gates, development assistance for health has dropped by 21 per cent to a 15-year low, threatening decades of progress that have halved child mortality since 2000.
“Humanity is at a crossroads. With millions of children’s lives on the line, global leaders have a once-in-a-generation chance to do something extraordinary,” said Gates.
Other Global Honourees
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Among those also honoured were:
- Dr Abhay Bang & Dr Rani Bang (India)
– Pioneers of community-based health care. - David Beckham (UK)
– Advocate for child health and education. - Krystal Mwesiga Birungi (Uganda)
– Champion of youth-centred policies and equitable health access. - Toni Garrn (Germany)
– Mobilizer for girls’ education and health care. - John Green (USA)
– Storyteller and advocate for tuberculosis and mental health awareness. - Osas Ighodaro (Nigeria)
– Advocate in the fight against malaria. - Dr Donald Kaberuka (Rwanda)
– Leader in global health financing and health system strengthening. - Reem Al-Hashimy (UAE)
– Champion of health and education investments through Dubai Cares. - Dr Naveen Thacker (India)
– Innovator in community-based child health initiatives.
The evening’s main Global Goalkeeper Award went to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for his government’s increased contributions to international health initiatives.
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