Every beginning of life deserves to be healthy, happy, and beautiful
OUR APPROACH
We are making integrated healthcare services accessible to women and children in underserved communities.
These services are provided in group settings and include facilitated learning about reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child physical and mental wellbeing, enabling them to make informed decisions, adopt healthy choices, and support one another through peer-to-peer learning.
By ensuring that women, and children, the foundations of our society, are in optimal physical, mental, and social health, we have the potential to create systemic shifts that improve the well-being of our communities for future generations.
MULTI-PRONGED APPROACH, ONE GOAL
We focus on strengthening healthcare systems surrounding women and children.
We combine Nurse-Midwifery training and capacity building, group maternal care, and reproductive health campaigns to enhance the quality of care and create healthy and holistic communities. This creates direct and downstream positive impacts on maternal and child health outcomes.
Our approach is centred around the Group Care Model (GCM), which makes high-quality reproductive, maternal, and child health services accessible to women and babies during the critical first 1000 days after conception, while providing the added benefits of community building, peer-to-peer support, and facilitated learning.
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Group Care Model
At the heart of our approach is the Group Care Model (GCM), which revolutionizes the standard of care for pregnant women and new mothers. GCM provides a holistic approach to reproductive, maternal, and child health by offering pre- and post-natal care within a community setting. This model not only enhances the quality of medical care but also fosters community building, peer support, and shared learning among women.
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Nurse-Midwifery Capacity Building
Recognizing the pivotal role that skilled healthcare providers play in improving maternal and child health outcomes, we designed a program to equip Nurse Midwives with the skills and knowledge necessary to deliver high-quality care–including training on the Group Care Model. We have also introduced simulation-based learning, using high-fidelity mannequins, to ensure that Nurse-Midwives receive the hands-on training they need to provide safe, respectful, and dignified care to all. This program also emphasizes preceptorship, advocating for a mentorship model where experienced practitioners guide and support their peers.
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Reproductive Health Initiative
Finally, we know that changing the narrative on reproductive rights starts with girls. This initiative equips women and girls by providing them with the knowledge and tools they need to manage their reproductive health. Through our Well-Girl and Well-Woman programs, we offer accessible preventive health care services, including facilitated learning on menstrual health, nutrition, physical fitness, and mental health. We also focus on reproductive cancer prevention, ensuring that women have the information they need to safeguard their health.
WAJAMAMA Theory Of Change
Vision: A world where every woman achieves her healthiest self—physically, mentally, and socially—and where every new life begins with health and dignity.
WE ARE JUST GETTING STARTED.
Since being established in 2021, we have built a strong community and momentum for change.
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+4.000
Women and girls accessed our disease prevention and health promotion campaigns and services. Backed by the Zanzibar Ministry of Education and UNICEF, our objective for the next twelve months is to reach 2,800 public school teachers in Zanzibar (30% of all teachers), supporting the Ministry in becoming the principal implementers and integrating our Well-Girl program into the national curriculum.
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+1.500
Healthcare students and faculty have access to Zanzibar’s first high-fidelity medical simulation center. Partner with universities in the Global North to create bidirectional learning relationships with novice health care providers and faculty in Zanzibar, while also creating a network of simulation training experts in the archipelago.
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+400
Women from economically-marginalized communities received support throughout their pregnancy. Each year, approximately 70,000 women in Zanzibar become pregnant. By 2027, we aim to serve 19,000 of these women by introducing and standardizing the Group Care Model within government-run Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) clinics.
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100%
Decrease in severe maternal anemia and associated complications such as Intrauterine Growth Restriction and Postpartum Haemorrhage among our Group Care participants.
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90%
Of Group Care participants attended all of the recommended prenatal visits and adhered to medical recommendations.
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+50
Public, private, and NGO partnerships and relationships were established, both locally and internationally
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Meet Zubeda
Zubeda enrolled in Group Prenatal Care (GPC) program at 20 weeks gestation. Her previous pregnancy was marked by post partum hemorrhage (PPH) and the tragic death of her newborn just days after birth. Upon evaluation at her initial GPC visit, Zubeda’s blood pressure was elevated, her hemoglobin level was severely low and she had a urinary tract infection, increasing her risk for pre-eclampsia, PPH, intrauterine growth restriction, and preterm birth.
Zubeda engaged in 8 GPC sessions, where she gained invaluable knowledge on how to maintain a healthy pregnancy and joined an emotionally supportive community. By the time she was full-term, Zubeda’s blood pressure normalized and her hemoglobin level was even higher than average, reducing her risk for potentially fatal complications. She felt empowered and prepared for labor and birth.
On May 22nd, Zubeda had a beautiful and healthy baby girl, Karima, who now attends our clinic for well-baby check ups. Zubeda is thriving as a new mother and Karima continues to happily meet her growth and developmental milestones.
Annual Progress Report
