In 2024, we had the privilege of sharing the personal stories of some inspirational people: midwives, Community Health Workers, volunteers and more whose incredible work has been made possible through Amref. As always, we were deeply moved by the overwhelming response to our requests from our amazing community of supporters.
Read on to revisit some of these stories and see how Amref is bringing about lasting health change in Africa.
March: Closing the gap between mothers and healthcare
On Mother’s Day, we introduced you to midwife Patricia who works in a health centre in Northern Zambia. She helps mothers get the care they need in pregnancy, so they give birth safely, and get to take their new babies home to their families – a scene that always fills her with joy.
Patricia works closely with her daughter, Esther, who is now training as a nurse-midwife after being inspired by her mother’s passion and determination for midwifery.
May: Responding to flooding in Kenya
In May we took an urgent step – launching an emergency appeal – to support our teams across Kenya who were responding to the devastation caused by extreme floods. Our One Health clinics, which normally provide health and veterinary services in remote communities 13 days a month, quickly responded to their new needs and increased demand. Now the clinics must travel every day.
The One Health Clinics remain the only source of support many communities can access as they rebuild their lives.
June: Supporting young mothers stepping into parenthood
Pictured right is Baby Abdul, his mother Sharon and Teddy, from Uganda. Teddy, a member of the local Village Health Team. Teddy’s impact – providing her with health information and signposting her to services – transformed Sharon’s early days as a new mother.
Sharon recently completed a hairdressing course and now works at a local salon supporting Abdul, a healthy and energetic toddler, free of malaria because of Teddy’s routine visits.
September: Good health starts with strong communities
In Tanzania, Community Health Worker Magreth and tuberculosis survivor Bi Hawa (pictured together left) are challenging the social stigma around TB which prevents people from accessing healthcare to get better. They educate and intervene in their communities on TB prevention, rapid diagnosis and offer support during treatment.
Programme manager, Dr Rahma Omar is steadfast in her belief that TB can be wiped out in Zanzibar, and she continues to advocate for the return of a mobile TB clinic to the island to support her team’s work.
November: Bringing Health Closer
We ended 2024 with a match fund appeal to support mobile health clinics in Afar, Ethiopia. Pastoralist Adawuka and midwife Henok’s story showed how bringing vital healthcare to expectant mums in remote communities can transform lives. The outreaches deliver essential health services and maternity care to farming communities with limited access to health facilities.
We are glad to share that Adawuka delivered a baby boy, Aden, and he has received vaccinations provided by the regular mobile health team. Both Adawuka and her son Aden are in good health.
Images: Cover photo: Amref Health Africa/Michael Zomer. March © Amref Health Africa / David Brazier. May © Amref Health Africa / David Ngigi. June: © Amref Health Africa in Uganda. September © Amref Health Africa / Sam Vox. November © Amref Health Africa / Genaye Eshetu
