Driving Strategic Action, Community Health, and Inclusive Wellbeing
May has been a transformative month for our team as we’ve continued to bring our strategic vision to life while delivering meaningful, community-centered impact on the ground.
Turning Strategy into Daily Impact
Operationally, we’ve been focused on translating strategy into action. We realigned our workflows and refined our internal systems to ensure that our day-to-day work aligns with our long-term goals. Utilizing digital platforms, we are streamlining operations by identifying inefficiencies, simplifying processes, and integrating agility into the core of our work. These efforts are laying the foundation for a more resilient, responsive, and impact-driven organization.
Our team participated in a full-day operations session with Tayeb Noorbhai to align our systems and implementation mechanisms.
Expanding our Reach through Community-Centered Programming
This month, our Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCH) programs reached new heights:
✅ Over 730 individuals directly engaged in high-quality RMNCH workshops and services
✅ 180 women received antenatal and postnatal care through our Group Care Model (GCM)
✅ 67 men in Kajengwa participated in our second Babas group session, learning about how they can become active members in their partners’ pregnancy journeys
✅ Our broader RMNCH workshops indirectly impacted close to 3000 people across the region
We also created new spaces for inclusive health awareness. To mark Menstrual Hygiene Day, WAJAMAMA hosted a powerful theatre performance in Kizimkazi Mkunguni, drawing more than 300 community members. The performance not only provided a creative space for engagement but also an opportunity to discuss openly with the community the importance of understanding and supporting girls' menstrual health. These moments help challenge stigma and create safe spaces for honest conversations. While the active involvement of men and boys in menstrual health remains a challenge, events like this play a critical role in building awareness and shifting mindsets. Through open dialogue, we are building the foundation for a more informed, inclusive, and supportive community in the future.
Actors from Ngoma World performing in the show about menstrual health awareness and destigmatization for #MHDay2025.
We continued prioritizing health access:
✅ 60 adults and children with disabilities were screened for anemia, followed by a targeted nutrition workshop for their parents and caregivers
✅ 53 women were screened for cervical cancer at Mwera Pongwe District Hospital
✅ 24 WAJAMAMA and Saifee Hospital facilitators were trained in cervical cancer screening by Dr. Jennie Mao and Dr. Connie Mao–visiting OBGYNs from the University of Washington. Dr. Connie, a member of the team that developed the HPV vaccine, was joined by Dr. Jennie in delivering a comprehensive, multi-day training, marking a significant step forward in building local capacity
WAJAMAMA staff and facilitators, Saifee healthcare practitioners, and US-based OBGYNs pose for a photo after concluding the cervical cancer screening training held at WAJAMAMA.
Centering Mental Health and Next-Generation Leadership
Our Mental Health and Safeguarding Officer represented WAJAMAMA at the Tanzania Mental Health Summit in Kahama, bringing back valuable insights to help us further embed trauma-informed, wellness-centered practices into our work.
We also welcomed two summer interns from Yale University and the University of Michigan, who are contributing to our programs and gaining firsthand experience in a nonprofit, startup setting. In the coming months, we look forward to welcoming three more interns, including a student from Georgetown’s School of Nursing, who will lead the next phase of our lean impact assessment for our GCM.
Jacqueline Owden, our Mental Health and Safeguarding Officer, is seen listening to a session about scaling youth mental health innovations through local action at the Tanzania Mental Health Summit in Kahama.
Each of these milestones reflects our commitment to strategic excellence and community impact, demonstrating what can be achieved when intention, care, and collective action come together.
