At Mwandamo, we believe in sustainable, community-driven development.
Below you’ll find our current initiatives and a record of completed projects that continue to shape lives.

In Progress

Distribution of 500+
Reusable Pad Kits

R&D for Renovation of Rural Dispensaries

We are working with women in local communities to identify two rural dispensaries most in need of renovation and essential supplies, ensuring better healthcare access where it matters most.

We’ve welcomed two new Community Health Officers to the Mwandamo team! Together, we’re building capacity to reach more communities and strengthen our impact on women’s health.

More than 500 girls will receive dignity kits containing reusable pads, underwear, and soap for a year, ensuring safe and sustainable menstrual care.

Training of Community Health Officers

Rollout of Mwandamo USSD

Our free menstrual cycle tracking service is now live in Tanzania! By dialing *149*46*16# on any mobile phone, women can easily register to access information and support. We are in the pilot phase and actively spreading the word about this exciting new technology.

Distribution of 100 Menstrual Cups

Host 50 Educational Women’s Circles

Thanks to a generous donation from Saalt, 100 menstrual cups will be distributed to women in our communities. We are already beginning conversations and education on how to use them safely and confidently.

Mwandamo’s Big Picture Goal

Mwandamo’s vision is to establish a women’s Health Centre in Arusha, Tanzania, providing accessible, inclusive care for all. With a flexible fee structure, the Centre will ensure no woman is left behind, offering services such as nutritional guidance, mental health support, maternity care, and postpartum assistance.

Creating safe, intimate spaces for up to ten women at a time to learn and share together on topics such as reproductive health, pelvic floor awareness, self-care, and self-advocacy.

Attend Mwandamo’s first Health Summit

We are preparing to join the Tanzania Health Summit in Dar es Salaam in October 2025. This will be our first time participating, and we are raising funds to cover the participation fee and support our two Community Health Officers to attend this important event.

Completed Projects

Highlights from our past work that continue to make an impact

Infographic titled "Project Impact Summary 2024" for Mwandamo Women & Maternity. It highlights the community reach statistics: 2,680 Oltukai women, 3,830 Esilalei women and children, and 364 female students at Oltukai school. It mentions a water catchment system for 5,200 people, the distribution of 650 reusable sanitary kits, and improvement of maternity clinics (1 equipped, 1 under renovation). The infographic notes 10 women's circles, with topics like miscarriage, new mothers, endometriosis, and menstrual education. It also lists communities served: 5 Maasai, 1 Hadzabe, 4 Arusha. Women's circles are held in English and Swahili.

  • In 2022, we helped renovate the outdated Oltukai Dispensary which serves 2700 women. Since then, it has become a cornerstone of general health, pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care in the area. Its revamped facilities and services have made it the preferred choice, attracting women to travel from larger towns to this small rural village

  • In addition to renovating the dispensary, access to fresh water remains a critical issue in this community. Mwandamo funded the installation of 17 water storage tanks (each 5,000 litres) and rooftop guttering at the primary school, teachers' housing, village offices, and the dispensary. This water collection initiative now directly benefits more than 5,200 people.

  • In 2024, we have hosted 10 women's circles, each attended by 10 to 20 women. These gatherings provide a safe space for conversation, education, sharing, and healing. By fostering an environment where women feel heard and valued, we take the first step toward empowerment and meaningful change.

  • Mwandamo is committed to ending period poverty—the lack of access to menstrual products, education, and hygiene facilities that affects millions of women and girls worldwide. Period poverty not only impacts health and dignity but also hinders education and economic opportunities, perpetuating cycles of inequality. By addressing this issue, Mwandamo empowers women and girls to live healthier, more confident lives. So far Mwandamo has distributed 650 reusable sanitary kits to women and girls.

  • Mwandamo collaborated and contributed to a Miscarriage Awareness Film by hosting a healing women's circle and actively participating in the creative process. This aimed to foster understanding, provide support, and break the silence surrounding miscarriage, creating a space for shared experiences and awareness.

  • Caroline designed and led Mwandamo's first official antenatal (pre-birth) workshop, bringing her extensive expertise as a midwife and firsthand understanding as a mother of two. Her compassionate approach provided invaluable guidance and support to expectant mothers, ensuring they received the best care throughout their pregnancy journey.

  • Mwandamo is a co-author on Dr Emily Pfender's manuscript titled Dialogue for Dignity: How Communication Shapes Menstrual Health Outcomes in Tanzania (Journal: Social Science & Medicine). This collaboration highlights the critical role of communication in improving menstrual health awareness and outcomes, with a focus on empowering communities in Tanzania.

  • Mwandamo USSD-based platform is be designed to break the silence around menstrual health, empower girls to stay in school, and open up conversations about reproductive health. It is a completely free service available on any mobile phone.

  • We officially opened the new Esilalei Maternity Ward on the 22nd of May.

 

Oltukai Dispensary - completed.

 

Esilalei Maternity Facility - completed.

 

Yaeda Valley - one location of remote women’s circles held with the Hadzabe Tribe.

  • A group of people sitting outdoors under a tree, engaging in a social or community gathering. A young child in colorful clothing stands in the center. Some adults are seated on the ground, while a person in the background appears to be holding notes or papers.
  • Overhead view of a person filling out a form with a yellow pen outdoors, wearing beaded necklaces and an earring.
  • A group of people enjoying a celebratory moment outdoors, featuring women in colorful traditional attire with jewelry, smiling and interacting with other women in casual summer clothing and hats.
  • Group of people sitting outdoors in a forested area, with educational materials on the ground depicting anatomical diagrams and numbers. They appear to be engaged in a learning or discussion activity.
  • Group sitting under palm tree in grassy field, wearing hats and colorful clothing, with distant figures on path and scattered trees.
  • Group of people sitting in a circle on plastic chairs outdoors, under a tree, wearing traditional and casual clothing.