Empowering women for better health outcomes

Co-Founders


  • Founding Director

    Hannah Strand (of Royal African Safaris) was born and raised in Tanzania. With parents in the safari industry, Hannah grew up immersed in the wilderness and developed a lifelong passion for East Africa’s wild spaces and the communities that border them. With this came a focus to empower women, particularly in health. Hannah co-founded Mwandamo Women and Maternity in 2022. She hopes to establish a dedicated women’s health facility in Northern Tanzania one day.


  • Founding Director

    Caroline Blowes is a UK trained midwife who has been working in Tanzania since 2014. She has worked in government and private hospitals, and an NGO-funded facility, where she developed trainings and provided mentorship to midwives in order to create a ripple effect and broaden her impact. These experiences led Caroline to strive to advance healthcare options and support for women in northern Tanzania. Caroline co-founded Mwandamo Women and Maternity in 2022.  

Two women standing outdoors on a rock in casual clothing, smiling, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.

We create safe and supportive spaces for women to connect and share their experiences. We start by listening, holding women’s circles to understand their real challenges. Our mission is to support women and mamas through every stage of their feminine journey, empowering them to advocate for better health and maternity care. Together, we strive to make a meaningful and lasting impact in their lives and communities.

Stylized "M" and "W" design in maroon and beige

Mwandamo’s Community Health Officers

By working with our Community Health Officers (CHOs), Mwandamo can reach more women and communities effectively and sustainably. Our CHOs are embedded within the local communities, which allows them to build trust, understand specific challenges, and provide culturally sensitive guidance. Through Mwandamo circles, they engage directly with participants, spreading knowledge, raising awareness, and connecting people to essential care.

  • Elizabeth Lusingu has worked with multiple International Non-Governmental Organisations in Tanzania striving to make changes for the women and girls, while also gaining experience in mentorship, learning and community engagement.

  • Naomi Runda has worked in women’s empowerment programmes focused on social and financial development and is deeply committed to improving access to healthcare information for rural women.

  • Neema Donatha is a highly trained community educator and social worker with over five years’ experience in women’s empowerment, adolescent sexual and reproductive health, and community advocacy.

  • Given Ndalima is a registered nurse and midwife who supports Mwandamo’s digital health outreach, promoting menstrual health and reproductive knowledge through community engagement.

Mwandamo Women CIC is a - Community Interest Company (CIC)

We are registered in the UK and are established to serve and benefit the community rather than focusing on maximising profits for shareholders.

As a CIC, we are regulated by the Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies. This means we are committed to a clear social purpose, outlined in our Community Interest Statement, and are dedicated to ensuring that our assets and profits are used to benefit the community we serve.

Mwandamo Women CIC is an - International Non-Governmental Organisation (INGO)

We are registered in Tanzania and are a non-profit organisation that operates in country, with an international scope, whilst applying with local laws.

As an INGO we are registered and governed by the Non-Governmental Organisations Act No. 24 of 2002 and overseen by the Tanzania National NGO Coordination (TNNC). This ensures all funding is used strictly for the organisations charitable and community focused objectives.