In the remote rural areas of Tanzania where we work, pregnancy and childbirth remain perilous journeys. Despite national efforts to provide pre- and postnatal care through hospitals and clinics, many women continue to face insurmountable barriers that prevent them from accessing these essential services.
That’s why we are proud to introduce our newest initiative: SMILE – Sustainable Maternal and Infant Lifesaving Endevours. This project brings compassionate, high-quality pre- and postnatal care directly into the homes of pregnant women and new mothers across rural communities — bridging the gap between policy and reality.
Why Home-Based Maternal Care Matters
For many women in the region, travelling to a hospital or clinic is not simply a matter of choice — it’s a question of feasibility. Distance, lack of transport, cost, gender dynamics, cultural norms, and competing responsibilities at home all contribute to low attendance at antenatal check-ups and a continued reliance on unassisted home births.
Even when facilities are available, the perception and past experiences of health services can be significant deterrents. Some women report feeling judged or ignored at traditional clinics, or they worry about giving birth in an unfamiliar environment without the support of family or community. As a result, many still give birth at home — often in unsanitary conditions and without skilled assistance — putting both their lives and those of their babies at risk.
What SMILE Offers
The SMILE project provides:
Home visits by a trained maternal health worker before and after birth.
Monitoring maternal and newborn health, including those not delivered at our hospital.
Support with breastfeeding and nutrition, addressing challenges that arise when mothers must return to labour-intensive work shortly after birth.
Problem-solving for high-risk cases, including providing infant formula where breastfeeding is not possible and supporting the establishment of alternative caregiving strategies.
Culturally sensitive, non-judgemental care, with trust built through local community engagement.
We’ve already witnessed the profound impact of these home visits. In some households, our team has encountered dangerously malnourished infants, where the mother must work up to 12 hours a day to feed her other children. In such cases, SMILE steps in with medical support and practical, compassionate solutions: arranging for family members to bring the baby to the mother during work breaks or supplying formula where necessary to ensure the child’s survival.
Empowering Families, One Visit at a Time
SMILE is more than a health service — it’s a lifeline. By meeting women where they are, we offer care on their terms, without judgment or conditions. We believe no woman should have to choose between feeding her children and caring for her newborn.
We are grateful to our dedicated local team and our supporters for making SMILE possible. Together, we’re delivering more than maternal health care — we’re delivering dignity, hope, and opportunity for the future.