Annual Report

AFHE Senior Fellows Ginger Ramirez (2017 cohort), Ana Cecilia Ortega (2021 cohort) and Zulema García Ulloa (2023 cohort) and co-writer and designer Denden Parreno collaborated across Mexico and the Philippines to develop a trauma-informed children’s workbook designed for use in low-resource primary care and community settings. Illustrated and piloted with children and practitioners, the workbook underwent multiple revisions to improve accessibility and usability, including simplifying language, expanding opportunities for drawing and creative expression, and adding guidance for adult facilitators when sensitive topics arise. The final product is available in English and Spanish in both print and digital formats, with plans for broader dissemination through partner networks.

Mary Ajwang and Brigit Carter, both from the 2017 cohort, organized a pioneering legal empowerment training for 124 health workers at Kawempe National Referral Hospital in April 2025. The need is urgent: Uganda’s maternal mortality rate remains high at 189 deaths per 100,000 live births (2022), with Kawempe alone recording 992 maternal deaths from 2016–2021 — 84% of which were preventable and mainly due to systemic issues like delayed referrals and limited resources. This initiative marked a critical step in equipping Uganda’s health workers with the knowledge and support they need to protect themselves and advocate for safer, fairer maternal health care.

In November 2025, Naglaa Fathy and Kate Daugherty from the 2021 cohort presented their collaborative work at the International Conference for Family Planning in Bogotá, Colombia. Their presentation, “Youth Equipped with the Knowledge and Skills Necessary to Make Healthy Life Choices: OSRA Program as Proof of Positive Community Change Towards Better SRH and Voluntary FP Choices,” showcased the outcomes of an innovative community-based project that empowers youth and families with the knowledge and skills to make informed sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) decisions. They also participated in the pre-conference Youth Summit, “Voices, Evidence, Action: An Intergenerational Movement for All,” which was a crucial space to network and share their experience working with youth around SRHR.

In 2025, Joanne Chiwaula’s organization Joyful Motherhood provided targeted, family-based care to 406 high-risk infants in Malawi, infants who, without specialized support, face markedly increased risks of illness and death due to maternal loss or serious maternal illness. With consistent nurse visits, nutrition support, and caregiver education, only two infant deaths occurred among those enrolled. Joyful Motherhood also supported 59 postpartum women recovering from severe birth complications, with marked improvements in mobility, pain management, self-care, daily functioning, and depression by program discharge. As the only NGO in Malawi offering this model of care, Joyful Motherhood continues to expand across districts, reaching families often overlooked by standard health systems while delivering highly cost-effective, life-saving support.

Implemented through the Initiative of Trans With a Mission–Uganda, the Trans-Harmony Farm, led by Gafidyn Rae Wesonga highlights a community-led, climate-resilient agriculture model for transgender and queer farmers in rural Eastern Uganda, demonstrating how lived experience can strengthen social cohesion and economic independence. The framework emphasizes that transformation starts within communities, with Gafidyn’s work bringing visibility and language to knowledge already being cultivated by queer, trans and gender-diverse women.

Nandita Thatte and her team led the development of the first-ever World Health Organization guideline for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infertility. Grounded in evidence and lived experience, the guideline frames infertility as a critical public health and equity issue, calling for affordable, respectful and science-based care to be integrated into national health systems. By addressing prevention, clinical pathways, psychosocial support and financial barriers, >b>this landmark work advances the right of individuals and families everywhere to decide how to build healthy families.

Led by Gilberto Lopez (2020 cohort) and colleagues in Arizona, United States, the Agua es Vida: Interactive Exhibit, launched in 2025, uses interactive activities, murals, VR, and bilingual materials to make water science inclusive and culturally relevant. Visitors explore water systems to understand their impact and gain tools to advocate for their communities. This project encourages South Phoenix Latino communities to engage with their water systems and advocate for their communities’ perspectives and needs.

Mario Jimenez (2024 cohort) supported a major public health milestone with the launch of the malaria vaccine in Burundi in March 2025. The vaccine was rolled out to children aged 6–11 months in 25 high-burden districts and will complement existing malaria prevention efforts. Evidence from earlier introductions in other African countries shows the vaccine can significantly reduce severe malaria and child deaths, an impact expected to be felt quickly in Burundi, where malaria remains a leading cause of illness and mortality.

Elliot Koranteng Tannor (2019 cohort) and his team made history in Ghana with the first-ever kidney transplant in Kumasi. This is a critical step in addressing the health inequities faced by patients with end-stage kidney disease. With over 15,400 Ghanaians suffering from kidney failure and limited access to transplants, Elliot highlights the urgent need for a national renal transplant program, increased specialist training, and policies for organ donation.

Gateway Holistic Care Group, led by Nonsi Mathe (2023 cohort) earned a three-year Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities accreditation, a major milestone affirming that every aspect of care meets international quality standards. Gateway Holistic Care Group delivers a range of person-centered programs, including respite, residential, supported living, community access, pathways to independence, and behavioral support, designed to meet the needs of Autistic and neurodiverse children, youth, and adults across Alberta.