Picture: Marion Tumuhimbise is an experienced midwife and a graduate of Amref Health Africa’s eLearning programme. Marion currently supervises a team of 15 midwives at the world’s second largest refugee settlement, Bidi Bidi, in northern Uganda. © Sam Vox for Amref
I am no longer the same, I am someone different. The skills I learnt, the knowledge I have gained - I continue to try to learn almost every single day. The people I am working with have benefited from [that].
Marion Tumuhimbise
We would like to thank all the Radio 4 listeners who together generously raised over £32,190 to support women and girls access their right to health. We would also like to thank our presenter, The One Show’s Alex Jones, who made the appeal such a success!
This appeal launched our Health in Her Hands campaign, which shines a light on the female health workers saving and changing lives across Africa, with Amref's support. Through UK Aid Match, all donations to our Radio 4 appeal will be matched by the UK government, meaning twice as many health workers could be trained to provide life-saving care.
Sub-Saharan Africa bears almost a quarter of the global disease burden - yet it’s home to only 3% of the world’s health workers. Investing in female health workers is vital if this trend is to be reversed. When professionals like Marion (pictured) and Lucy (whose story you heard in the appeal) are equipped with the right tools and training, thousands of people live happier, richer lives: the whole community thrives.
That’s why, every year, Amref Health Africa trains thousands of nurses, midwives, and community volunteers across sub-Saharan Africa. They’re already on the front lines of change: and we’re determined to help them succeed.
Public donations to the appeal will support lasting health change in Africa, strengthening health systems, training health workers, and improving access to services for some of the continent’s most remote and marginalised communities. Match funding from the UK government, unlocked by your donations, will support the training (through eLearning) of nurses and midwives like Marion in Uganda, empowering them to deliver specialised maternal and child healthcare services and ensuring that women can give birth safely and with dignity.
Thank you to all of those who donated and listened to our appeal, and to those who shared your own stories of your fight for health. Your support means committed health workers like Marion and Lucy are able to build their skills and provide expectant and new mothers with the best possible care.
To find out more about our charity please visit our .