WAJAMAMA stands for WATOTO (children), JAMII (community), MAMA

WAJAMAMA is a movement. Built by women, for women.

We are driven by a deep passion for women and children’s health, and a belief that our healthcare systems can do better.

OUR TEAM

We prioritize the inclusion of those who possess deep knowledge and firsthand experience of the issues faced by the communities it aids. Consequently, 92% of WAJAMAMA’s employees are Tanzanian females, and all board members are women, predominantly from sub-Saharan Africa.

MEET OUR FOUNDER & CEO

Nafisa Jiddawi

MS, FNP-C, WHNP-BC, CNM

WAJAMAMA was founded by Nafisa Jiddawi, a Zanzibari-American whom from a young age, witnessed suffering caused by preventable illnesses and systemic injustices towards birthing people and their infants.

Nafisa Jiddawi is the founder and chief executive officer of WAJAMAMA. She is also a family, women, and maternal health care provider. While growing up in Zanzibar with two of the ten medical doctors available in the archipelago in the 1990s, Nafisa’s family home in Stone Town often turned into an urgent care center at any hour of the day and night. From a young age, she witnessed many people suffering from preventable illnesses and complications. This experience fuels her unwavering passion for preventive medicine. During holidays from university in the U.S., Nafisa returned to Zanzibar to volunteer for various health projects, where she assisted in the collection of Zanzibar’s initial maternal mortality rate data. While going through maternal death books at delivery hospitals across Zanzibar, she documented the demographics and cause of death of each life lost and was appalled at the volume of unnecessary deaths. During this time, she also witnessed systemic abuse of birthing people and their babies. These experiences were the driving force behind founding WAJAMAMA.

Team 

  • Alessia is a highly experienced development professional with over two decades of expertise in project management and consultancy across East Africa. She specializes in civil society, culture, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), environment, and economic development. With a master’s degree in Eastern African Languages and Cultures, Alessia brings a deep understanding of Tanzanian and regional culture to her work.

    Currently, as Project Manager at WAJAMAMA Foundation, she leads the foundation’s reproductive health community programs. She oversees program success and impact, manages budgets, and maintains key communications with donors and partners. Alessia also plays a crucial role in strategic planning, working with the Senior Leadership Team to align activities with the organization’s mission.

    In addition to her project management roles, Alessia has held leadership positions, including as Managing Director and Program Manager for several EU and donor-funded initiatives. Her consultancy work further demonstrates her versatility, providing strategic input for diverse projects, mainstreaming culture into EU interventions and supporting advocacy through collaboration with organizations in creative sectors. Throughout her career, Alessia has built strong networks within East Africa region, collaborating closely with national governments, local authorities, and both public and private institutions.

  •  Sayuni specializes in program budget management, staff coordination, inventory oversight, and procurement processes. With a focus on operational efficiency, Sayuni ensures smooth vendor payment processing, manages petty cash, and handles government tax return filings, all while maintaining strict compliance with financial regulations. Her meticulous approach supports the organization's mission to deliver impactful and effective services.

  • Jacqueline is deeply passionate about addressing mental health challenges, particularly maternal mental health, and works tirelessly to fill gaps in care. She spearheads the integration of mental health components into WAJAMAMA’s programs, ensuring comprehensive support for women and families. With a rich background in psychology and social work, she specializes in working with young adults and adults, addressing issues such as depression, grief, and identity crises. As a safeguarding officer, she ensures that our safeguarding policies are consistently implemented, guaranteeing protection for everyone we serve, as well as the entire team at WAJAMAMA. Jacqueline’s empathetic approach helps her clients develop self-awareness and resilience, guiding them toward healthier, more fulfilling lives.

  • Yusra is a Nurse-Midwife who completed her Health and Medical Studies at SUZA in 2020. She has been working for WAJAMAMA for over three years as a Nurse-Midwife, and also supports the Group Care Program as a Project Coordinator and the Reproductive Health Initiative as a Clinical Community Facilitator. Yusra is strongly dedicated to her community, with a particular motivation to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths in Zanzibar. She is also very passionate about raising awareness about overall reproductive health for young girls and women.

  • Huruma is a Certified Public Accountant with over twelve years of experience in the non-governmental, private, and public sectors. He possesses a comprehensive skill set in accounting, auditing, financial management, budgeting, and project finance. Currently, Huruma’s work as a finance expert at WAJAMAMA allows him to utilize his expertise to further the organization’s mission of promoting wellness, sustainability, and community health.

    At WAJAMAMA, Huruma prioritizes transparency, accountability, and strategic financial growth that benefits both the organization and the communities we serve. He is recognized for his commitment to ethical practices, innovative problem-solving, and a collaborative approach. Huruma’s goal is to develop financial solutions that empower WAJAMAMA to achieve sustainable growth and he takes pride in contributing to an organization that aligns with my values of making a positive impact, enhancing lives, and promoting overall well-being for all.

  • Jackline is a dedicated and highly skilled Operations Manager at WAJAMAMA Community Health, where she leverages her extensive background in public health and project coordination to enhance community health initiatives. Before joining WAJAMAMA, Jackline underwent professional training in Monitoring and Evaluation for Global Health through the University of Washington. This training equipped her with the skills to monitor project activities effectively, define key performance indicators, and design data collection tools that drive informed decision-making. 

    With a Master’s degree in Public Health at the University of Dar es Salaam and a Bachelor's degree in Applied Microbiology, Jackline brings a comprehensive understanding of health systems and practices to her role. Jackline is highly organized and adept at managing multiple priorities, and she thrives in fast-paced environments. Her commitment to community health, combined with her practical skills and leadership experience, positions her as a pivotal force in strengthening health initiatives at WAJAMAMA Community Health. Passionate about making a difference, Jackline continues to drive impactful changes that contribute to the well-being of the communities she serves.

  • Makune is a highly skilled finance and operations professional with over 12 years of experience in global health, international development, and nonprofit financial management. He brings deep expertise in financial planning, budgeting, grants management, and compliance, with a proven ability to manage multimillion-dollar budgets and ensure alignment with donor requirements. Known for his ability to improve financial systems and streamline reporting processes, Makune has consistently enhanced transparency, accountability, and operational efficiency across diverse program portfolios.

    Beyond finance, Makune plays a strategic leadership role in shaping the operational backbone of organizations. He has led the successful implementation of change management initiatives, driving the adoption of new systems, tools, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to support scale and sustainability. His collaborative work with legal and compliance teams has resulted in stronger contract management frameworks, risk mitigation strategies, and standardized business practices. An advocate for organizational excellence, he also oversees workforce development initiatives from talent acquisition and performance management to capacity building, ensuring that teams are aligned with long-term goals. Proficient in platforms such as JAMIS, QuickBooks, Smartsheet, BusinessWorld UNIT4, Salesforce, and SAGA, Makune brings a technology-forward, people-centered approach to operational leadership.

  • Alice is a dedicated medical doctor and public health specialist with a strong passion for improving community health outcomes. She holds a Doctor of Medicine degree and a Master of Public Health from Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) in Tanzania. With over 5 years of experience in both clinical care and public health, Alice brings a unique blend of skills in patient care, disease prevention, health promotion, and leadership. 

    Currently, Alice serves as the Project Coordinator for the Group Care Model at WAJAMAMA Community Health, where she plays a key role in planning and coordinating project activities. Her responsibilities include supporting the project manager in implementation, ensuring effective communication across teams (project, M&E, operations, marketing) for smooth project delivery, and building the capacity of nurses, midwives, and other frontline health workers.

    Alice is known for her professionalism, teamwork, and strong commitment to making quality and holistic health services more accessible and impactful at the community level.

  • Inaara is a passionate advocate for women’s rights and a skilled marketing and fundraising professional dedicated to driving social impact. She leverages her expertise in digital marketing to amplify WAJAMAMA Community Health’s mission, managing donor relations and overseeing communications across social media platforms, website content, and email campaigns. Her experience spans both the private and public sectors, where she has developed marketing strategies, worked on policy and programming, and played a key role in supporting social entrepreneurship for women. She also supports the Foundation’s fundraising efforts by identifying funding opportunities, managing partnerships, and assisting with grant writing and donor engagement.

    Inaara holds a Master of Arts in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies, specializing in Transitional Justice and Post-Conflict Reconstruction, and a Bachelor’s degree in International Development and Globalization with a minor in Women’s Studies. Her academic background, combined with her practical experience, informs her approach to creating lasting social change. Inaara’s work is driven by a commitment to gender equality and sustainable development.

  • Asha Ally is a dedicated Registered Nurse-Midwife with over four years of experience in Clinical care and maternal and child health. She currently serves at WAJAMAMA Foundation as a Nurse-Midwife and Assistant Project Coordinator, leading the implementation of Group Prenatal Care (GPC) and integrated services for women and children in underserved communities.

    At WAJAMAMA, Asha facilitates GPC sessions, mentors facilitators and frontline staff, and plays a critical role in ensuring the availability and proper management of all GPC supplies, including procurement and stock tracking, helping to maintain high-quality service delivery. She also contributes to the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), supports quality improvement initiatives, and coordinates community outreach and data use for maternal health programming.

    Driven by a strong commitment to reducing maternal and neonatal mortality in Zanzibar, Asha combines clinical excellence with program coordination, logistics, and public health leadership, working tirelessly to ensure respectful and dignified care for every mother and child.

Board of Trustees

  • Cheherazade is the Founder & Managing Director of Inaya Zanzibar Limited. She grew up in Nouakchott, Mauritania (West Africa). She is a graduate and an International Commerce Master’s degree holder of the I.P.A.G. Business School of Paris, France. She co-founded and co-owns Inaya Zanzibar, a soap and skincare factory. Inspired by Africa’s rich nature and diverse culture, the company makes unique, natural, and handmade products in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Inaya Zanzibar proudly has an all-women production and sales team. Cheherazade is also the Vice-Chairperson of the Manufacturers Council of Zanzibar. She is a board member of the Zanzibar National Chamber of Commerce. She is a councilor representing Zanzibar on the board of the Confederation of Tanzania Industries. She was appointed to the Zanzibar National Business Council as the industrial sector representative.

  • Dr. Mwanakheir graduated as a Medical Doctor from the University of Dar Es Salaam in 1983. After working in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mnazi Mmoja hospital in Zanzibar for two years, she pursued a Master in Public Health (MPH) with a focus on Maternal and Child Health at San Diego State University in the United States. Upon completion of her MPH, she moved back to Zanzibar to continue working at Mnazi Mmoja as the Head of Maternal and Child Health for two years. She then worked in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department at Hindu Mandal Hospital in Dar es Salaam. In 1991, she started working as the Primary Care Doctor at the SOS Children’s Village in Zanzibar while simultaneously working in the pediatrics ward at Mnazi Mmoja hospital. In addition to these positions, she also worked part-time as a primary care provider at the Zanzibar Medical Group (ZMG) in Stone Town from 1995 until 2007. In 2007 she was appointed as the manager of the Blood Transfusion Service of Zanzibar. Under her leadership, the Blood Bank thrived and not only achieved international recognition and accreditation from the Africa Society for Blood Transfusion Service, but also transitioned from being internationally supported by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to being domestically sustained. As the Director of Zanzibar’s Blood Transfusion Services, she oversaw an exchange program established between Zanzibar and Nepal for learning and sharing of evidence-based practices to help maintain the international standards at the Blood Bank. In collaboration with Haukeland Hospital in Norway, Dr. Mwanakheir also helped establish an emergency transfusion protocol for women during labor, birth, and the postpartum period, which has played a key role in the reduction of maternal mortality in Zanzibar.

  • Kawthar Buwayhid is a dynamic leader with extensive experience in management, currently overseeing key aspects of educational administration at the International School of Zanzibar (ISZ). In addition to her role in school leadership, she brings strategic expertise to the Wajamama Board of Trustees, having previously served as Board Secretary at ISZ for five years, and continues to maintain a close working relationship with the Board in her current position.

  • Sarah Mohammed brings over 12 years of complex financial and grant management experience. She has worked for various development organizations, including Jhpiego, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and CDC Tanzania. Sarah has extensive experience budgeting, forecasting, and reporting for grants and large-scale international projects with complex structures that involve multiple PIs and multiple sites. She has experience performing audits and developing processes to increase financial reporting quality. With many years of experience living and working in the developing world, Sarah has worked across cultures and geographies to ensure sound financial management systems and the smooth functioning of finance and accounting departments.

  • Bahati is a personal development enthusiast whose life mission is helping other women identify the potential power within them and use it to empower themselves in every sphere of their lives. She is mostly active with Tea Party Zanzibar, a networking platform initiated by her to bring together women from different backgrounds to learn, unlearn, and relearn issues that impact them in society, like health, wealth, and personal development, among many. She is also passionate about Events Management, the career she unearthed out of her passion for cleaning and organizing her house, which led to the founding of her company, B.M Events. Bahati joined the WAJAMAMA Foundation board because she believes women’s health is a catalyst for their and society’s development and advancement, and that development should start from early childhood. That is why she wants to use her expertise gathered from different fields to enhance the foundation’s mission and achieve the overall goal of bettering the health and wellbeing of women in the Zanzibar Archipelago. With a background in Finance and Accounting, Bahati brings in vast knowledge in the field and hopes to further drive WAJAMAMA Foundation’s mission and impact the lives of women and children.

  • Dr. Moira Hennessey, MPH, PhD, has cultivated over 20 years of expertise as a licensed clinical psychologist and public health practitioner. Her career has been marked by her dedication to equipping communities and individuals with tools to thrive in challenging circumstances. This is evident in her involvement in psychotherapy, capacity building, and program design spanning various global regions. Focusing on the complexities of trauma treatment, Dr. Hennessey integrates evidence-based practices and underscores the importance of culturally relevant approaches to mental health. She is steadfast in her mission to address the effects of adversity and spotlight pathways to resilience.

    An alumnus of Barnard College, Boston University, and The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Dr. Hennessey has enriched her knowledge and skills through specialized training at the Cambridge Health Alliance's Victims of Violence Program, Harvard Medical School, and the Boston Medical Center's Trauma Team.

    Today, she runs a private practice in Cambridge and lends her expertise as an instructor and mental health specialist to the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative. Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Hennessey's commitment to mental health resonates through her active engagement in both community and global initiatives.

  • Mercy Odhiambo is a digital transformation expert with a proven track record of leading successful programmes in the public health sector in East Africa. Demonstrated expertise in project management, stakeholder engagement, and program implementation. Proven ability to navigate complex environments, build strong partnerships, manage teams, and deliver results within tight timelines. Passionate about leveraging technology to improve health outcomes.

Advisory Board 

  • Dr. Christina Marea is Certified-Nurse Midwife and Assistant Professor at Georgetown’s School of Nursing. She holds a PhD from Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. Her research broadly focuses on disparities in perinatal and reproductive health outcomes for marginalized and structurally disadvantaged populations, and health services interventions to address these disparities. Dr. Marea has practiced clinically as a midwife in birth centers, refugee camps, rural hospitals, and tertiary care hospitals. She has led research, clinical, and consulting collaborations in Guatemala, Jordan, Syria, Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda and here in DC. Christina currently practices midwifery at Community of Hope, a local FQHC, with whom she is collaborating to develop a 12-month model of postpartum care informed by client perspectives and priorities. Christina serves on the DC Maternal Mortality Review Commission, the DC Maternal Health Advisory Group via DC Department of Healthcare Finance, and is the Chair of the Division of Global Engagement at the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

  • Hafsa Mbamba is a seasoned CEO specializing in tourism and creative consultancy, boasting nearly two decades of experience in the industry. She excels in business development, communication management, and tourism management. Fluent in Danish, English, and Kiswahili, Hafsa has held several key positions, including her current role as Executive Secretary at the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism, and as the Founder and Managing Director of a destination travel company. Her extensive consultancy work underscores her expertise in sustainable tourism, communication, and event management. Hafsa is deeply committed to promoting the cultural and natural attributes of destinations, leveraging her skills to enhance and sustain their unique qualities.

  • Tracey Li specialises in the use of data for health in low and middle income countries. She has an extensive range of knowledge and technical skills covering the technological, ethical, and human aspects of data use, combined with several years of practical implementation experience in sub-Saharan Africa. She provides support with monitoring and evaluation, analysis, research, and data management. She has lived and worked in multiple countries, including Zanzibar, holding technical and technical leadership positions within a variety of research, private sector, and NGO settings. She has a Bachelor and Master's degree in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University and a PhD in Physics from Durham University.

  • Upon graduating from a medical school in Romania in 1979, Dr. Jiddawi returned to Tanzania, to work at Muhumbili Hospital in Dar Es Salaam initially and then Mnazi Mmoja Hospital in Zanzibar. In 1989, he earned his Master of Medicine in General Surgery from the University of Dar Es Salaam and moved to Brighton, England, to train in Endoscopic Urology. After completing  this program, he returned to Zanzibar in 1992 to work as the Head of the Department of Surgery at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital; a position he held until 2006, when he was nominated by the President of Zanzibar at the time to become the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Health. During this time, Dr. Jiddawi also founded Zanzibar Medical Group, a Primary Care Clinic in Stone Town. Dr. Jiddawi served the Ministry of Health as the Principal Secretary for 10 years and under his leadership, the ministry initiated the Malaria Control program funded by the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), which has had tremendous success in controlling malaria in Zanzibar. After retiring from the Principal Secretary position,  Dr. Jiddawi was nominated again by the President of Zanzibar to serve as an Advisor to the Ministry of Health. In addition to practicing at his small private practice and being a Medical Advisor to WAJAMAMA, Dr. Jiddawi is also the Chair of the Board of Zanzibar’s Health Research Institute.  

  • MD, OBGYN 

    Dr. Connie Mao is Associate Professor Emeritus at the University of Washington in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.  Her research has focused on the prevention of cervical cancer with HPV vaccination, screening for cervical cancer and treatment of precancerous lesions.  Dr. Mao has been teaching providers in low and middle income countries for decades. She has a wide range of experience in board service and currently serves as philanthropic advisor to the Trotula Fund and Yang Jing Foundation.

  • Ashley Gresh is both a certified nurse-midwife and a public health nurse, whose research focuses on addressing inequities in maternal and child health outcomes. Her current work examines the effects of perinatal group-based care on maternal and child health in the postpartum period, and examines ways for adapting, implementing, and sustaining group care in Baltimore and globally. Dr. Gresh is committed to co-creating solutions to issues in health care with the communities she serves by using a human-centered design approach; one that shifts power dynamics and centers the rights and well-being of childbearing people, their families, and communities.

    She has a range of global and international health experience including being in the inaugural cohort of the Global Women’s Health Fellowship, a joint venture between the Johns Hopkins Schools of Nursing and Medicine and Jhpiego. A foundational career goal for Dr. Gresh is to reimagine and redefine postpartum care to transform systems and delivery of care.

  • After 20 years as a high school teacher and administrator, Ben left the world of secondary education to pursue work in the field of global health and specifically women's sexual and reproductive healthcare and safe motherhood work. In 2020, his travel paths crossed with WAJAJAMA and has worked closely with founder Nafisa Jiddawi to support carrying out her vision for maternal and reproductive healthcare in Zanzibar. 

  • Lauren A. Arrington, DNP, CNM is an assistant professor and the Susan H. Mayer Endowed Professor in Health Equity at Georgetown University School of Nursing. She is a 2025 Atlantic Fellow for Health Equity and a Gender+ Justice Fellow. She practices midwifery in Baltimore, Maryland, and co-leads the development of the Maryland Maternal Health Innovation Program’s (MDMOM) Maternal Health Equity Toolkit and community of learning. As a maternal health advisor for Jhpiego, she collaborated with healthcare experts in Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, Lesotho, and Malawi to strengthen midwifery education and services. She serves on the Board of Commissioners for the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) and is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health.