Why I'm Climbing for Kamanga Mothers

I lived in Tanzania for 13 years, and all that time, I never climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.

Not once. In fact, I had absolutely no desire to.

I'm not a mountain climber. I don't spend my weekends chasing summits. I don't keep a list of mountains I want to conquer. If you had asked me a few years ago whether I would ever attempt to climb Africa's highest mountain, the answer would have been a very quick "no".

Yet in September 2026, I will be standing at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, preparing to walk nearly 100 kilometres over nine days and climb to 5,895 metres above sea level.

So why now?

Because this climb isn't about a mountain. It's about mothers.

Over the past decade, I have had the privilege of working alongside communities in rural Tanzania through Cedar Tanzania and Australia for Cedar Tanzania. During that time, I have witnessed extraordinary resilience, determination and strength.

I have also seen the challenges women face when it comes to accessing quality maternal healthcare.

Every year in Tanzania, thousands of women lose their lives during pregnancy and childbirth. Many of these deaths are preventable with access to skilled healthcare, appropriate facilities, reliable equipment and timely medical intervention. Kamanga Health Centre was established to help address this challenge and provide quality healthcare closer to home for families living in rural communities.

When Kamanga Health Centre opened its doors in 2018, it was a significant milestone for the community. Since then, the demand for services has continued to grow. More mothers are choosing to deliver at the health centre, and our team has worked tirelessly to meet that increasing need.

Today, our new maternity ward is nearing completion.

The expanded facility will provide additional delivery beds, postnatal recovery spaces, facilities for mothers requiring extra care, and a safer, more dignified environment in which families can welcome new life into the world.

But a building alone isn't enough. Healthcare depends on reliability, on lighting during labour, and on power for essential medical equipment. On the ability to provide safe, uninterrupted care when every second matters.

In rural Tanzania, power outages can last for days. For a maternity ward, that isn't simply inconvenient. It can directly affect the safety of mothers and newborns. That is why our Rising for Mothers campaign is focused on extending the solar power system at Kamanga Health Centre and ensuring the new maternity ward can operate safely and reliably around the clock.

There is another reason this climb feels significant.

Over the past few years, I have undergone both spinal surgery and extensive surgery on my right foot. Recovery has been a journey in itself, and I still live with some of the effects of a drop foot on the left foot that developed following the spinal surgery.

So when I say I never planned to climb Kilimanjaro, I genuinely mean it.

This isn't the next item on a bucket list. It isn't a lifelong dream. In many ways, it is probably the last thing I expected to be doing. But some goals are bigger than personal comfort. And some challenges are worth taking on because of what they can make possible for others.

So this year, I will climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

Not because I suddenly discovered a passion for mountain climbing.

Not because I want to stand on a summit.

But because every mother deserves access to safe maternity care.

If climbing a mountain helps make that possible, then it is a challenge worth taking on.

The journey to the summit will take nine days.

The journey to improve maternal healthcare in Kamanga has taken years.

Both are climbed one step at a time.

Thank you for being part of that journey with us.

With gratitude,

Nina and the Cedar Team

Our Training Has Begun: Because Power Can't Wait

Yesterday, my husband and I completed one of our first training hikes for our Mount Kilimanjaro fundraising challenge in support of maternal healthcare in rural Tanzania.

At 8.7 kilometres on foot, nearly two hours of walking, and 153 metres of elevation gain, Mount Brown is not exactly Mount Kilimanjaro.

Standing at the lookout, looking across the coastline, one thing became very clear: Kilimanjaro is not going to be easy!

But every meaningful journey starts with a first step.

For us, this journey started long before we laced up our hiking boots.

Last year, we got married. Like many newlyweds, we talked about how we wanted to spend our honeymoon. Most people choose something romantic with beaches, cocktails, and couples' massages. We decided to do something a little crazy.

In September 2026, we will travel to Tanzania. Before heading to Mount Kilimanjaro, we will spend two weeks in Kamanga and Mwanza. For my husband, it will be his first time meeting what I often call my "other family" - the incredible team in Tanzania that I have worked alongside for more than a decade. He has heard countless stories about Tanzania over the years and has spent many days helping collect medical equipment for our projects, but this will be his first opportunity to experience the work firsthand.

Then we will begin the climb. But this campaign is not really about a mountain. It is about power.

The new maternity ward at Kamanga Health Centre is in the final stages of construction. Once completed, it will significantly increase our capacity to care for mothers and newborns in rural Tanzania.

However, buildings alone do not save lives. Reliable power does.

In many parts of Tanzania, electricity is unpredictable. When it rains, the power can go out. When it doesn't rain, the power can still go out.

Much of Tanzania's electricity generation relies on hydroelectric power. During drought years, power rationing becomes common. Grid failures can last for hours or even days.

Babies do not wait for the electricity to return. Labour does not pause because the grid is offline. Healthcare continues regardless.

Years ago, before we installed our current solar system, a patient arrived following a serious car accident. The power was out. Our team had no choice but to stitch the patient's wounds using the light from a mobile phone torch.

The patient received the care they needed, because our staff are incredibly resourceful and committed. But it should never have to happen that way. Solar power is not an optional extra. It is not a luxury. It is critical healthcare infrastructure.

Reliable solar power means lights remain on during labour and delivery. It means essential equipment continues working. It means healthcare workers can focus on caring for patients instead of worrying about whether the power will fail.

And recently, we received another reminder of just how important that reliability is. The motherboard in our current solar system has failed and now requires replacement.

Infrastructure requires maintenance. Systems need upgrading. Reliable healthcare depends on reliable power. That is why we launched Rising for Mothers.

Our goal is to raise funds to extend and strengthen the solar power system supporting the new maternity ward, ensuring mothers and newborns receive safe, uninterrupted care.

We have set a fundraising target of $20,000 and have already raised just over $2,000. The reality is that the final requirement may be closer to $30,000.

As we begin training for Kilimanjaro, we know the mountain ahead is significant. But the challenge facing rural healthcare is far greater.

Every training walk brings us one step closer to the summit. Every contribution brings us one step closer to reliable power.

And every step taken together helps create a future where mothers arriving at Kamanga Health Centre can depend on safe, uninterrupted care - day or night, rain or shine.

Thank you for walking this journey with us.

Nina

Saving Together: How SHGs Are Strengthening Communities

Across many communities in rural Tanzania, access to formal banking, loans, and financial education remains extremely limited.

For many families, unexpected expenses such as medical costs, school fees, crop failure, or repairs to fishing equipment can quickly become a major financial crises.

To strengthen long-term financial resilience within the community, we have facilitated SHGs (Savings and Loans Groups) across the areas we work in.

These groups create safe, structured spaces where community members save, learn, and support one another financially.

What Is An SHG?

A Savings and Loans Group is a community-led group in which members contribute small savings each week into a shared pool.

Members can then access small loans from the group to:

• start or expand small businesses

• support farming activities

• pay school fees

• manage medical expenses

• respond to emergencies

• create greater household stability

The groups also provide practical education in:

• financial literacy

• budgeting

• bookkeeping

• conflict resolution

• entrepreneurship

• loan management and repayment

The training is intentionally practical and accessible, ensuring participants can immediately apply their new skills within daily life and income-generating activities.

Community-Led Financial Resilience

Together, members have accumulated significant shared savings and social support funds through regular contributions and collaborative financial management.

Importantly, these groups are not externally controlled financial programmes. They are community-owned systems built on trust, accountability, and mutual support.

The impact extends far beyond money alone.

SHGs strengthen:

• financial confidence

• local leadership

• problem-solving skills

• economic participation

• social support networks

• long-term household resilience

For many participants, this is the first time they have had structured access to savings systems, financial planning, or small-scale lending opportunities.

Building Stronger Communities

The Community Centre continues to provide weekly training and mentorship to support the long-term success of these groups.

Topics include:

• financial planning

• business development

• bookkeeping

• group governance

• communication and collaboration

Health and social topics are also integrated where relevant, reflecting the close connection between financial stability, wellbeing, and community resilience.

These programmes are designed to strengthen long-term self-reliance and create sustainable pathways for families to improve their economic stability.

In areas where there are:

• no formal banking services nearby

• limited employment opportunities

• unreliable transport infrastructure

• and ongoing financial pressures

Community-based savings groups can become powerful tools for stability and growth.

Small weekly savings can help families:

• avoid high-risk debt

• manage unexpected costs

• invest in small businesses

• improve food security

• keep children in school

• and create greater financial independence

The impact is practical, local, and long-term.

Community-Led Change In Action

The SHG programme reflects Cedar Tanzania’s broader approach to development:

• locally driven

• skills-focused

• sustainable

• and community-led

By strengthening local financial resilience, these groups are helping communities create their own pathways toward greater stability and opportunity.

And importantly, they are doing it together.

With gratitude,

Nina and the Cedar Team

What 1,490 visits actually mean.

In rural Tanzania, access to healthcare is not a given.

For many individuals living with disability, distance, cost, stigma, and lack of information create barriers that prevent any engagement with formal medical services. Without intervention, conditions go untreated, complications escalate, and entire households carry the burden.

This is why our Outreach Healthcare Programme exists.

And this is what impact looked like in the first quarter of this year.

429 individuals living with disabilities are now registered in our programme across the two wards we serve.
Each month, our team reaches an average of 264 people in their homes, delivering consistent, personalised care. Some people receive frequent visits, others only when needed, depending on their individual needs.
In total, 1,490 home visits were conducted this quarter alone. That is an average of 24 visits per day across our 3 teams.

But these numbers only tell part of the story.

Our team were alerted to a man who had experienced multiple strokes.

Without access to formal healthcare, he had initially sought treatment through a traditional healer. The underlying cause, high blood pressure, remained undiagnosed and untreated. After a second stroke, he was left bed-bound, with significant loss of mobility.

By the time our team reached him, his condition had progressed severely.

Today, that trajectory has changed.

Through consistent outreach support, his blood pressure is now stabilised with medical treatment. He is receiving ongoing physiotherapy and occupational therapy to rebuild strength and coordination. With a wheelchair, provided by our team, he is no longer confined to bed and can sit up, move outside, and re-engage with daily life supported by his family.

This is what access to continuous, community-based healthcare makes possible.

Reaching beyond the visible

During another visit, also to a stroke patient, another story emerged.

In the background of the household was a young girl who is unable to speak. She had never been assessed by a medical professional, and the cause of her condition remains unknown.

Without this visit, it is unlikely she would have entered any form of care.

She is now registered in our programme. Our team is working with her family to better understand her needs and ensure she receives appropriate support moving forward.

This is a critical part of outreach that is often unseen.

Each visit does not only deliver care but also identifies individuals who would otherwise remain completely outside the healthcare system.

A system, not a single service

These are not isolated cases.

For many of the individuals we reach, this is not just their first treatment—it is their first contact with any form of medical care.

Our outreach model creates a continuous pathway:

• Identifying individuals in their homes

• Providing immediate care and assessment

• Connecting them to services at Kamanga Health Centre

• Delivering ongoing follow-up through regular visits

This work takes place across a geographically large area, covering the wards of Nyamatongo and Ngoma, home to tens of thousands of residents. Roads are limited. There are no paved roads, only a small number of main dirt roads, and many areas are accessible only by narrow tracks that cannot be reached by car.

To navigate this, our teams operate in pairs using off-road motorbikes—often the only way to reach the most remote households. All team members undergo driving lessons and safe riding training, with annual refreshers to ensure both safety and reliability in the field.

Alongside this, our team continues to build local capacity. Weekly occupational therapy clinics are running at Kamanga Health Centre, and team members are undertaking further medical and counselling training to strengthen long-term service delivery.

This is how sustainable, community-led healthcare systems are built.

Looking ahead

We are now working towards registering and supporting 500 individuals across our areas, ensuring that those currently beyond the reach of the healthcare system are not left behind.

Because access to healthcare should not depend on where you live, your mobility, or your circumstances.

It should be consistent, reliable, and within reach.

And that is exactly what outreach is designed to deliver.

With gratitude,

Nina and the Cedar Team

What did you do last week?

This is what I was doing:

Sweating. Lifting. Sorting. Driving back and forth… again and again. In total, 14 carloads.

We have been collecting decommissioned medical equipment and consumables. Everything from beds to facemasks that are no longer needed here but are still incredibly valuable at our hospital and with our outreach teams. And last week, it became very real, very physical work.

It is dusty warehouses, heavy lifting, figuring out how to fit one more item into an already full car, and then doing it all over again. It is that moment of standing still for a second, looking at what has been gathered, and realising what it could mean on the ground in rural Tanzania.

This is a hospital bed where someone will recover.
A birthing bed where a mother will safely deliver her child.
A drip stand that supports treatment that would otherwise not be possible.

The response has been generous. People are saying yes. Items are coming in.

And now… we are running out of space.

Quite simply, we cannot keep going at this pace without somewhere to put it all, and a way to move it.

So I am asking directly:

• Do you have access to a 40ft shipping container we could use?

• Do you know of hospital beds (we need 40-60 beds)?

• Or 4 birthing beds?

• Drip stands and similar equipment are also urgently needed.

• Or a truck we can use to pick up some heavy stuff in Mandurah?

If you have something, or know someone who might, please reach out.

This is what last week looked like.

And with the right support, this is something we can turn into real, tangible change.

Thank you for being part of it.

With gratitude,

Nina and the Cedar Team

Access isn't the issue. Timing is.

More women than ever are reaching healthcare services in rural Tanzania.

We recently conducted a wide-ranging survey, interviewing nearly 700 pregnant women and mothers with infants. The findings are both encouraging and instructive.

Our data shows that 92% of women attend antenatal care and/or give birth in a health facility.

This is real progress.

But the data also tells a deeper story - and highlights gaps we cannot ignore.

The gap we can’t ignore

While access is high, only 49% of women begin antenatal care within the first trimester.

This early window is critical. It’s when risks are identified, complications are prevented, and the foundation for a safe pregnancy is set.

At the same time, women could identify fewer than two danger signs during pregnancy on average – well below the acceptable minimum level needed to recognise when something is wrong.

So the challenge is no longer just access.

It is timing, knowledge, and support.

This is where SMILE steps in

The SMILE project was designed in direct response to these realities.

Through community-based midwifery and home visits, SMILE ensures that care doesn’t start late or stop at the clinic door. It reaches women earlier, supports them consistently, and strengthens decision-making at the household level.

It represents a shift from reactive care to proactive, continuous support – grounded in what communities themselves have told us works.

But access alone is not enough

Even when a mother reaches care – for example at Kamanga Health Centre – that care must be reliable.

Lighting. Equipment. Safe delivery conditions.

In many parts of rural Tanzania, power outages can last days. For a maternity ward, that’s not an inconvenience. It’s a serious risk.

 

Powering safe, uninterrupted care

This is why our next step matters.

Through Rising for Mothers – our 2026 Kilimanjaro climb, we are raising funds to install solar power for the new maternity ward.

This is what ensures that:

• A delivery can happen safely at any hour

• Essential equipment functions without interruption

• Mothers and newborns receive consistent, high-quality care

It is the infrastructure that makes everything else work.

 Your role in this

When you support this campaign, you are not contributing to a single moment of care.

You are strengthening an entire system:

• Earlier engagement through SMILE

• Safer deliveries at health facilities

• Reliable, uninterrupted care powered by solar

This is what sustainable, community-led healthcare looks like.

Take the next step

Every contribution moves this work forward.

Together, we are not just increasing access.
We are ensuring that care is timely, trusted, and consistently safe.

With gratitude,

Nina and the Cedar Team

While Some Grow Up Online, Others Are Still Waiting for Access

NDOTO means dream in Swahili. And youths with big dreams are what are going to lead our world forward.

Right now, 20 young people are enrolled in NDOTO, our digital literacy programme that provides access to something most have never had: a computer. Through this program, we can facilitate the first steps of dreams becoming a reality.

With 10 computers and a 3-month enrolment cycle, students are learning the foundations of digital skills — typing, navigating systems, and building confidence in a world that is increasingly shaped by technology.

For many, this is their very first interaction with a screen.

Because in a community where most homes do not have electricity, where daily life is grounded in manual work and limited infrastructure, access to digital tools is a shift in trajectory. It is not just another skill.

NDOTO is about access, exposure and possibility

Those are just the direct benefits. But there are some very significant indirect benefits as well:

Village leaders have shared something important:
since the programme began, they are seeing fewer young people getting into trouble.

Local youth are experiencing more structure, more purpose and more direction.

Young people who might otherwise be left without opportunity are now showing up, learning, and building something for themselves.

This is what community-led development looks like in practice: creating environments where opportunity replaces limitation.

The Opportunity Ahead

The demand is already there.

We currently have more young people ready to enrol than we can accommodate.

With additional computers and support, NDOTO can expand immediately, increasing intake, extending reach, and deepening impact.

It costs USD $10,000 to run NDOTO for one full year.

This will provide:
• Access to digital literacy for more youth
• Strengthen structured, skills-based engagement in the community
• Create long-term pathways toward education and employment

This is not a short-term intervention. It is a foundation for skills, for confidence, and for future opportunity.

Do you want to ensure NDOTO can continue for the full year?

With gratitude,

Nina and the Cedar Team

Travel To Tanzania : Progress and Partnerships

Over the past two and a half weeks, I have been on the ground in Tanzania working closely with our team and community partners. These visits are always invaluable. They allow us to assess progress face to face, strengthen partnerships, and plan the next phase of our work.

Projects are advancing, new partnerships are forming, and the impact across health, education, and livelihoods continues to grow.

Here is a snapshot of what is currently unfolding.

The New Maternity Ward Is Almost Ready

One of the biggest milestones of this visit was inspecting the new maternity ward at Kamanga Health Centre, which is now nearly complete. Only the final stage of tiling remains.

Within the next month or two, the building will be ready to open.

This new facility will significantly expand our maternal care capacity and allow our medical team to provide safer, more dignified care for mothers and newborns across the region. 

The expansion is critical in a country where 11,000 mothers die every year during childbirth, often due to preventable causes and limited access to quality care.

The next step is equipping the ward.

We are currently seeking decommissioned but functional hospital equipment, including:

• Hospital beds
• Patient monitors
• Drip stands and related equipment

If you work in the healthcare sector or know a hospital upgrading its equipment, we would welcome a conversation about giving these items a second life in rural Tanzania.

Strengthening Our Existing Hospital

Alongside the new building, we are undertaking significant renovations to the older hospital wing.

Walls damaged during previous flooding are being repaired and repainted inside and out, ensuring the facility remains safe, functional, and welcoming for patients.

Last year we also completed a major flood mitigation effort by constructing a protective barrier wall to Lake Victoria, which now safeguards the hospital from future flooding events. With this in place, the facility is far better protected as climate patterns continue to shift.

SMILE Project: Research Phase Completed

The SMILE Project (Sustainable Maternal and Infant Lifesaving Endeavours) was officially launched this month, supported by 100 Women.

During my visit, I joined the field team for one day of the baseline survey, which was conducted across the ward over six days. The study is targeting 600 mothers and will guide the design and implementation of our maternal outreach services.

Even these early stages are already revealing important insights.

For example, we are seeing clear evidence of:
• High rates of anaemia among pregnant women 
• Folate deficiency during pregnancy
• Missed antenatal care visits

These findings reinforce the need for community-based maternal care and education, which the SMILE project will address through home visits, health education, and early detection of complications.

During the survey process, the team also identified several children eligible for our outreach disability services, ensuring they can receive the support and rehabilitation they need.

The full report will be available shortly and will guide the next phase of this work.

Digital Literacy: NDOTO Programme Expanding

At the Community Centre, our NDOTO digital literacy programme is now running with 10 computers, teaching 20 students at a time in a three-month course.

Participants learn practical digital skills including:

• Microsoft Word
• Excel
• PowerPoint
• Internet access and digital communication

These skills are increasingly essential for employment and education, particularly for young people in rural communities where access to technology has historically been limited.

We are still actively looking for additional donated laptops or desktop computers to expand the programme further.

POWER Programme: Skills Turning Into Opportunity

The POWER programme continues to evolve as participants build practical skills for income generation.

During this visit I saw participants developing new skills in tie-dye and batik textile production. These products will be sold locally and in Mwanza, the nearest major city, creating new income streams for the women involved.

New Partnership: POWER Perseus

We also took an important step forward with the POWER Perseus project, developed in partnership with the Perseus mining operation.

During the visit we travelled to the mine site and met with village representatives and ward councillors to formally introduce ourselves and begin the project engagement process.

This initiative will focus on tailoring and vocational training, starting with foundational sewing skills and eventually progressing toward the production of personal protective equipment (PPE) for the mine itself.

It is an excellent example of how private sector partnerships can create locally anchored economic opportunities while supporting responsible operations in the regions where companies work.

Strategic Planning and Governance

Beyond project visits, the trip also included several important organisational milestones.

Our board meeting was held during the visit, alongside strategic planning sessions to set priorities for the next six months. We are also currently working on our annual report and budget reviews to ensure continued transparency and strong governance.

These internal processes are essential to maintaining the accountability and strategic direction that underpin our work.

Growing Recognition and Partnerships

The visit also included several important external engagements.

We received an invitation to participate in a World Bank consultation on Mining Sector Diagnostics, bringing together government, industry, and civil society to discuss the intersection of mining and community development.

I attended the consultation representing Australia for Cedar Tanzania, contributing insights from our experience working in mining regions.

In addition, I visited the Danish Ambassador to Tanzania, creating an opportunity to discuss the broader role of partnerships in supporting sustainable development initiatives in rural communities.

Looking Ahead: Rising for Mothers

Planning also continued for our 2026 Kilimanjaro fundraising challenge:

Rising for Mothers – The Kilimanjaro Maternity Climb.

This expedition will raise funds to install solar power for the new maternity ward, ensuring uninterrupted electricity for lighting, medical equipment, and safe deliveries.

There is still room for additional climbers, so if you have ever dreamed of standing on the roof of Africa while supporting maternal healthcare, this may be your moment.

Moving Forward Together

Every visit to Tanzania reinforces why this work matters.

Behind every project, survey, training programme, and hospital ward are thousands of people working together to create stronger, healthier communities.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support this journey.

Together, we are building systems that last.

With gratitude,

Nina and the Cedar Team

Stronger Together

Last week I travelled to Cape Town to attend Mining Indaba 2026 – the largest mining conference focused on Africa.

With more than 10,000 delegates in attendance, including Tanzania’s Minister for Minerals and Petroleum, Hon. Mr Mavunde, the message was clear from the outset:

Stronger Together. Progress Through Partnerships.

And that message coloured every conversation I had.

Why We Were There

I met with senior leaders from mining and resource companies operating in Tanzania and across East Africa.

 The purpose was direct and strategic:

•  To expand our work and reach more communities.

• To support companies to improve the way community development initiatives are designed and delivered.

• To ensure projects are sustainable, locally embedded, and continue long after a mine has closed.

• To strengthen Australia’s engagement in East Africa through practical, on-the-ground partnership.

As mining projects increase in Tanzania, the opportunity – and responsibility – grows alongside them.

Companies are under increasing pressure to demonstrate that their community investments are structured, measurable, and genuinely sustainable. Many are looking for trusted partners who understand both the corporate landscape and the local reality.

This is exactly where Australia for Cedar Tanzania operates.

A Shift in the Conversation

 The tone at MI26 was notable.

 There is growing recognition that community development linked to mining operations must:

• Be co-created with local communities.

• Strengthen existing systems rather than duplicate them.

• Build capacity that remains independent of the mine itself.

• Deliver measurable outcomes that stand up to board-level scrutiny.

 In short: ambition is no longer enough. Delivery matters.

 For our long-term supporters, this will sound familiar.

This is the approach we have taken since 2014 through Cedar Tanzania and since 2018 through our Australian entity.

From Kamanga Health Centre to our enterprise programmes, our work has always been built on local ownership, structured reporting, and financial discipline.

Strategic Positioning for Growth

The timing of this conference is important.

Our new maternity ward at Kamanga Health Centre is now almost complete. What began as a vision is now a physical expansion that will significantly increase safe birth capacity in Mwanza Region.

With increased healthcare infrastructure in place, and with mining expansion occurring across Tanzania, we are well positioned to:

• Partner with additional companies operating in-country.

• Replicate tested and proven project models.

• Expand into new geographical areas where the right partnerships exist.

• Strengthen Australia’s role in East Africa through practical, values-led collaboration.

I also connected with other civil society organisations across the continent. These relationships matter. If we are to expand into new countries in the future, it will only be through the right partnerships, shared learning, and aligned values.

Growth must be strategic.

Expansion must be responsible.

Partnership must be principled.

What This Means for You

For our supporters, this trip reinforces that Australia for Cedar Tanzania is not a small, isolated organisation working quietly in one corner of Tanzania.

 We are part of a broader continental conversation about:

• Sustainable development.

• Responsible resource extraction.

• Community-led healthcare.

• Long-term economic empowerment.

For corporate leaders reading this:

If you operate in Tanzania or East Africa and are seeking structured, transparent and measurable community development partnerships, we are ready to work with you.

For our broader community:

Thank you. Your support enables us to sit at these tables with confidence and credibility.

Moving Forward – Stronger Together

The theme of MI26 was not accidental.

No single actor can deliver sustainable progress alone. Not governments. Not mining companies. Not community organisations.

But together, with clarity of purpose and integrity of delivery, we can build systems that endure.

That is the work ahead.

And we are ready for it.

With gratitude,

Nina and the Cedar Team

Take the Challenge. Power Safe Births.

In September 2026, a small group of supporters will stand at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro with a shared purpose  - to power safe, uninterrupted maternity care in rural Tanzania.

We’re inviting you to consider joining us.

Rising for Mothers – The Kilimanjaro Maternity Climb is a once-in-a-lifetime challenge that brings together personal courage and collective impact. By climbing Africa’s highest peak, participants will help fund the expansion of solar power at Kamanga Health Centre’s new maternity ward by ensuring reliable electricity when mothers and newborns need it most.

Power cuts in rural Tanzania are common. For a maternity ward, they can be life-threatening. Reliable solar power means continuous lighting, functioning medical equipment, and uninterrupted care during labour and delivery. This climb directly supports that reality.

The Challenge at a Glance

• Mountain: Mount Kilimanjaro

• Route: Northern Circuit

• Dates: Starting 28 September 2026

• Duration: 9 days total

• 7 days on the mountain

• 1 day before and 1 day after in Arusha. Hotel included.

• Climber cost: USD $2,500 - $200 discount from previous quote. We are working hard to get you the best deal possible!

• Fundraising expectation: USD $2,000 per climber

• Impact focus: Solar power expansion for the new maternity ward

This is not about speed or summits alone. It’s about stepping up, physically, mentally, and collectively, to support dignified, community-led healthcare.

“This climb is about reliability, safety, and dignity for mothers and newborns. Every step taken on Kilimanjaro helps ensure that when a woman goes into labour, the lights stay on and care continues – no matter what.”
— Nina Hjortlund, CEO, Australia for Cedar Tanzania

Interested in Joining?

At this stage, we’re simply forming an interested list. There is no obligatio. Just an opportunity to receive full details, timelines, and next steps before deciding.

You’re also welcome to support the climbers and the mission right now. Every contribution helps move a climber closer to the summit and powers the new maternity ward:

If this challenge isn’t right for you, please consider forwarding this email to someone who might be ready to take on something extraordinary.

Together, we rise for mothers.

With gratitude,

Nina and the Cedar Team

What Comes Next Starts Now

This year marks a moment of momentum for Australia for Cedar Tanzania.

Across healthcare, enterprise, and partnerships, our focus is clear: expanding access to quality care, strengthening local systems, and delivering infrastructure and services shaped by the communities we serve in rural north-western Tanzania. Some of this work has been years in the making. Some of it is unfolding right now. All of it is grounded in long-term, community-led change.

Here is what comes next.

A new maternity ward, opening February 2026

In February 2026, the new maternity ward at Kamanga Health Centre will open its doors, expanding access to safe, dignified maternal care for the surrounding region.

Kamanga Health Centre provides accessible, government-integrated primary healthcare and maternal services to rural communities in north-western Tanzania. Demand for services has continued to grow, and the new maternity ward will significantly increase capacity, improve privacy, and strengthen care for mothers and newborns.

Importantly, staffing for the maternity ward will be predominantly provided through government allocations, reflecting our long-standing partnership with local government and the integration of the health centre into the public health system.

As we prepare for opening, we are actively seeking donated medical equipment from Australia for the new maternity ward. If you work in healthcare, procurement, logistics, or know of hospitals or suppliers upgrading equipment, we would love to hear from you.
👉 If you have any leads or contacts, please get in touch.

We also continue to offer medical volunteer opportunities, particularly for skilled professionals interested in contributing their expertise in a community-led health setting.
👉 Contact us if this may be of interest.

SMILE: community-based maternal care, launching now

Alongside the new maternity infrastructure, SMILE (Sustainable Maternal and Infant Lifesaving Endeavours) is being launched right now.

SMILE delivers community-based visiting midwifery services, ensuring women receive critical postnatal care in their homes during the most vulnerable period after birth. This week, we have commenced the hiring process for a dedicated SMILE midwife, made possible through the support of 100 Women.

This role strengthens continuity of care beyond the health centre and reflects a shift toward preventative, relationship-based maternal healthcare that meets women where they are.

Strong foundations, sustained impact

While new initiatives are launching, our established programs continue to deliver consistent impact across the communities we serve. Together, they form the backbone of our work.

• Outreach Health Services deliver mobile healthcare, rehabilitation, and disability support to people who cannot access facility-based care.

• NDOTO supports youth through targeted social support and access to IT literacy training.

• POWER empowers women through income-generating activities, skills development, and pathways to financial independence.

• Self-Help Groups (SHG) strengthen community resilience through savings, peer support, and locally driven economic collaboration.

• Our partnership with Crossborder expands access to specialised healthcare services through ongoing collaboration with US-based medical team.

Sustainable change depends on continuity, trust, and long-term presence – and these programs remain central to everything we do.

Building skills, strengthening systems

This year also marks the beginning of our partnership with Perseus, focused on expanding vocational training through tailoring.

Preparatory work is underway, with the first intake planned for March. By the end of the year, the program aims to be capable of locally producing PPE, strengthening livelihoods while contributing to resilient local supply chains.

In parallel, landscaping and maintenance works at Kamanga Health Centre will commence this year, improving the environment for patients, staff, and visitors alike.

September: Kilimanjaro for sustainable power

In September, a group of staff, supporters, and partners – including Nina and Grant – will travel to Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro alongside local team members.

This climb is a fundraiser to expand solar power capacity at Kamanga Health Centre, ensuring the new maternity ward is supported by reliable, sustainable energy.

👉 If you would like to climb with us, or be part of this initiative in another way, please contact us.

Partnerships, funding, and what lies ahead

Throughout the year, we will continue to apply for grants and build new private sector partnerships – both for our current programs and for projects that are ready to launch pending funding, as outlined in our Product Catalogue. (link to product catalogue)

A major focus ahead is securing funding to construct an operating theatre in the second half of 2026. This would significantly strengthen our ability to manage complicated births and medical emergencies locally, reducing delays and improving outcomes.

👉 If your organisation is exploring meaningful, values-aligned partnerships, we would welcome the conversation.

Moving forward, together

What comes next is already underway.

From Australia to Tanzania, from planning to delivery, this year is about momentum, partnership, and building systems that last. Thank you for being part of this journey with us.

With Gratitude,

Nina and the Cedar Team

🎁 This Christmas, Give Differently, Give an Ambulance.

Give safety. Give arrival. Give life.

Every year, we search for gifts that feel personal, thoughtful, and meaningful.
But what if your gift could also change someone’s life?

This Christmas, we invite you to give differently.

Make a donation in honour of someone you love and support women, families, and entire communities in rural Tanzania to access the healthcare and opportunities they deserve.

Right now, one of our most urgent needs is a 4WD ambulance.

Without it, mothers in labour face long, dangerous journeys on foot or motorcycle.
A reliable ambulance means mothers can reach care before complications become critical.

🚑 Give a safe arrival
👶 Give a newborn the chance to live
💛 Give a gift that saves lives - again and again

🎁 This is a gift that never stops giving.
Your donation this Christmas will help us purchase and run a dedicated ambulance that serves over 35,000 residents across Nyamatongo Ward.

(All donations over $2 are tax deductible in Australia)

Give boldly. Give with purpose. Give life.

With gratitude,

Nina and the Cedar Team

Looking For A Meaningful Gift This Christmas ?

You can honour someone special by giving a gift that literally saves lives. 

When you donate to help fund our 4WD ambulance, we’ll send you a beautiful downloadable gift certificate to give or print.

This is the kind of gift that travels further than any parcel ever could.

👉 Make your donation today and download your certificate instantly.

In rural Tanzania, a mother in labour has no way to reach emergency care. Complications can become fatal. A newborn’s life can hang in the balance.

A 4WD ambulance means access. It means safety. It means survival.

Right now, we urgently need $65,000 to purchase and equip a life-saving ambulance for our remote, high-impact hospital already delivering 50+ babies each month and serving over 35,000 residents.

With your support, we can make sure no woman has to risk her life waiting for help that never arrives.

Your donation is tax-deductible

Every dollar is accounted for and will directly support the ambulance purchase and transport.
We guarantee full reporting, photos, and updates.
We operate under Australia’s DGR and ACNC standards.

Whether it’s $50 or $5,000, your Christmas donation is part of something that lasts.

And we couldn’t be more grateful to have you with us.

With gratitude,

Nina and the Cedar Team

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING UNDER MY CHRISTMAS TREE THIS YEAR.

With gratitude,

Nina and the Cedar Team

HELP BRING HOPE ON WHEELS

My name is Nina Hjortlund, and I’ve made it my life’s mission to ensure that no one in our community goes without access to lifesaving healthcare. 

For years, our ambulance has been more than a vehicle — it has been a beacon of hope, racing through remote villages, navigating rough terrain, and delivering urgent care to those in desperate need.

But this Christmas, we’re facing a heartbreaking reality. Our trusted ambulance has reached its end — it can no longer drive, leaving us powerless to reach those who rely on us. 

Families in critical need are left waiting, hoping for a miracle we can no longer provide.

This Christmas, while the world is adorned with festive lights, warm gatherings, and generous gifts, I’m asking you to think of something greater. What if your gift could save lives? What if your kindness could bring hope and healing to families in crisis?

We need your help to raise funds for a new ambulance — a lifeline that will allow us to continue delivering care, compassion, and healing to those who need it most.

Why This Matters:

A new ambulance will allow us to reach remote areas and save countless lives in emergencies.

Your contribution will directly impact families who rely on urgent care and have no other options.

This isn’t just about funding a vehicle—it’s about fueling hope, humanity, and the promise of brighter tomorrows.

Together, we can make this Christmas a season of compassion, a time of grace, and a moment of transformation. Your donation can ensure that no one is left behind and that help is always just a heartbeat away.

Let’s make this Christmas about giving the most precious gift of all: the gift of life.

Give today and help us put hope back on wheels.

This is what the ambulance looks like:

Happy holidays, and thank you for making miracles happen.

With gratitude,

Nina and the Cedar Team

One Ambulance. Countless Lives. This Christmas, You can be the Difference.

Dear Friends and Supporters,

This Christmas, we are asking you to be our ally — and with 663,000 people — by helping us fund one life-saving resource: a 4WD ambulance for our hospital in rural Tanzania

Across 1,842 km² of remote terrain, there is currently just one ambulance serving the entire Sengerema District. That single vehicle is stationed over 1.5 hours away from our hospital.

This delay is not just inconvenient. It is deadly.

Mothers in obstructed labour. Children with life-threatening infections. People with disabilities. These are not statistics — they are families, friends, and futures lost simply because the help they need cannot arrive in time.

A 4WD ambulance would allow us to reach people in remote communities and bring them to safety — quickly, safely, and with dignity. It is not a luxury. It is an absolute necessity.

This is our Christmas goal: AUD $77,000
Will you help us raise the funds for this ambulance?

Whether you give $50 or $5,000, your gift will help us drive change - literally. With your support, we will purchase and equip a fully functional 4WD ambulance to serve tens of thousands of people with no other emergency transport options.

🎥 Watch the video – See why this matters

Every kilometer matters. Every dollar counts. Every life is worth the drive.

Thank you for helping us change lives this Christmas, and every day after.

With gratitude,

Nina and the Cedar Team

We're Literally Raising the Roof

A New Chapter for Mothers and Babies in Tanzania

We’re thrilled to share a powerful update from Kamanga Health Centre in rural Tanzania — we’re not far from putting on the roof of our new maternity ward! This is no small feat. Phase 1 of the build is well underway, and by the end of 2025, we will have a fully constructed 25-bed facility dedicated to safe childbirth and dignified maternal care.

This expansion comes at a critical time. With over 50 births per month at our current facility, we’ve long outgrown the space. Our new maternity ward will include:

• 6 dedicated delivery beds

• 10 post-natal beds

• 4 post-caesarean beds

• 3 pre-natal beds

• 2 premature beds

• Shower and toilet facilities for mothers

This will dramatically improve our ability to care for mothers and babies—safely, privately, and professionally. And it will free up much-needed space in the existing hospital for other patients.

Next Up: Phase 2 – Operating Theatre Coming 2026

We’re already planning for Phase 2, which will include a fully equipped operating theatre. This will allow us to safely handle high-risk births — including first-time mothers and those with five or more children, as per national policy. For many, this theatre will be the difference between life and death.

To complete the facility and begin operations, we urgently need hospital equipment.

 🎯 We Need Your Help: Can You Connect Us?

We’re calling on our community of supporters, medical professionals, hospitals, and logistics partners to help us source and ship second-hand medical equipment from Australia.

We are looking for:

• Hospital beds (including delivery and post-natal)

• Drip stands

• Examination lights

• Bedside lockers and storage

• Baby cots and neonatal equipment

• Wheelchairs and mobility aids

• Autoclaves

• IV poles, oxygen cylinders, trolleys, blood pressure machines - and more!

If you work at or are connected to a hospital, medical supplier, logistics company, or any organisation that might be upgrading or decommissioning equipment, please reach out. Even small contributions go a long way. We have a complete wish list that can be sent through if you'd like.

🌍 This is all about impact, equity, and saving lives in one of the most underserved regions of East Africa.

📦 Let's Get It There Together
We have the team on the ground, the construction in motion, and the will to make it happen. Now, we need the tools. All donated equipment will be used either in the new maternity ward or to replace aging assets in our current hospital.

📬 Contact Us Today
If you have equipment to donate or would like to partner on shipping, contact:
📧 Nina Hjortlund – nina@cedarfoundation.org
📞 +61 (0)476 262 986
🌐 www.australiaforcedartanzania.org

Migration Isn’t the Problem. Poverty Is.

Anti-immigration protests have dominated headlines in Australia and across Europe in recent weeks.
The slogans are loud. The debates are heated. But amid all the noise, we’re forgetting one essential truth: Most people don’t want to leave home. They just want to live.

According to research on African migration into Australia, people choose to emigrate not because they’re chasing luxury, but because they’re fleeing conflict, poverty, and lack of access to basic opportunities like education and healthcare. And here’s the part we’re not talking about enough:

If we address those root causes at people's homes, we reduce the pressure to leave.

You want to reduce migration? Then support community-led development.

We work alongside rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa to tackle the exact drivers of forced migration: poverty, poor healthcare, gender inequality, and lack of economic opportunity.

And our impact is measurable:

• 🌱 Economic independence through our skills-based training projects, self-help saving groups, and computer literacy

• 🤱 Safe motherhood through the SMILE project, bringing postnatal care directly into the homes of new mothers

• 🏥 Expanded care with our new maternity ward (under construction), which will triple our capacity to deliver safe births

• ✂️ Skills for life through our Sewing Academy, equipping out-of-school girls to start businesses and break the cycle of dependence

This isn’t charity. It’s strategy.

Migration isn’t going to be solved with fences or fear.

But strategic, long-term investment in local development?
That does reduce the pressure that drives people to leave. That creates stability. That gives people options.

If you're truly concerned about the future of immigration, support the kind of work that makes migration a choice, not a necessity.

 

This is where real change begins.

Whether you’re a corporate leader navigating ESG, a supporter concerned about global justice, or just a citizen asking better questions - this is where your action matters.

✅ Support systems that prevent displacement.
✅ Invest in dignity over dependency.
✅ Partner with an organisation that delivers.

👉 Learn more or donate today

With gratitude,

Nina and the Cedar Team

[Source: https://sites.google.com/view/africanimpactinoz/home]

Celebrating Love and Community

Dear Friends,

I’ve been away from my desk for the past two weeks for a very special reason… I got married last week! 🥂💍

It was a beautiful celebration surrounded by family and friends, and I’m returning with a full heart and even more energy for the work we do together.

While I’ve been away, our incredible team has kept every project moving forward – proof that Australia for Cedar Tanzania is built on strong, capable hands both in Australia and in Tanzania. From healthcare outreach and the launch of our new SMILE project, to preparations for our upcoming maternity ward construction, our mission continues to thrive.

Thank you for your patience during this short newsletter break – and for being part of a community that celebrates life’s milestones alongside our shared commitment to lasting change. I’m excited to share more updates with you in the coming weeks.

Changing Lives
Nina

📣 NEWS | Capital Drilling Leads the Way in Corporate Social Responsibility

A Milestone for Maternal Health in Rural Tanzania

We are proud to announce a significant development in our mission to improve maternal healthcare in rural Tanzania. Capital Drilling (CMS Tanzania Ltd.) has taken a bold and compassionate step by contributing USD 120,000 towards the construction of a new Maternity Ward and Operating Theatre at Kamanga Health Centre, a facility built and managed by Cedar Tanzania in partnership with Sengerema District Council.

Every year, approximately 11,000 women die during childbirth in Tanzania — that’s one woman every 47 minutes. This tragic statistic is fuelled by the lack of accessible, quality maternal health services in rural areas like Nyamatongo Ward. The new maternity ward at Kamanga Health Centre will address this urgent need by increasing bed capacity, improving hygiene and privacy standards, and establishing a dedicated operating theatre for emergency obstetric care.

Capital Drilling’s Impactful Contribution

Capital Drilling's support represents not just a financial investment, but a powerful demonstration of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) leadership in action. Their contribution has already enabled the construction of a critical flood barrier to protect hospital infrastructure, and will now facilitate the phased construction of the maternity facility.

“CMS visited the Kamanga Health Centre in 2024 and witnessed first-hand the impact of this work. We are honoured to stand alongside Cedar Tanzania in creating lasting, meaningful change.”

With architectural designs finalised and permits approved, phase 1 of the construction is beginning end of July 2025 and we expect the maternity ward will be open for business beginning of 2026. Phase 2, the operating theatre, can begin as soon as the remaining funding is secured.

What’s Still Needed

We are now calling on the broader business community—especially those in the mining, energy, and resource sectors—to join us. To fully realise this project, we urgently need:

• USD 113,000 for the operating theatre

• Additional funding for medical equipment and furnishings

This is an opportunity to align your organisation's ESG commitments with high-impact, community-driven development.

Join Us – Be Part of the Legacy

Would your company like to be part of this transformative initiative?

🔹 Visit the project and see our work in action
🔹 Contribute funding to close the remaining gap
🔹 Align your CSR with measurable, sustainable outcomes

For further information or to arrange a site visit, please contact:

📧 Nina Hjortlund – nina@cedarfoundation.org
📧 Paulina Urassa – paulina@cedarfoundation.org
📧 Amani George – amani@cedarfoundation.org

You may also connect with Capital Drilling representatives:
📧 Mugisha Lwekoramu – Mugisha.lwekoramu@capdrill.com
📧 Martin Rubenga – martin.rubenga@capdrill.com

🌐 www.australiaforcedartanzania.org

Together, Let’s Deliver Safe Birth for Every Mother

The Kamanga Health Centre currently serves over 1,500 patients monthly, delivers two babies every day, and provides free health checks to 680 children under five. With your help, we can expand this impact and ensure that no woman has to give birth without care.