Dr. Sherri Kirkpatrick visiting with a community health volunteer in Rai village, Nepal

We're excited to announce that HealthEd Connect is again in print!  HealthEd Connect co-founder Dr. Sherri Kirkpatrick and two colleagues, Jan Elliott, a long-time supporter of HealthEd Connect, and Wilaiporn Rojjanasrirat, a Graceland nursing faculty member, received word last week that an article they'd been working on for months was accepted for publication in the nursing journal, Clinical Nursing Studies.  The title of the article is Sustained volunteerism: Motivational factors of community health volunteers in Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Zambia, and Nepal.

So why do our health workers volunteer year after year, with some having reached the incredible milestone of serving for over 30 years? To find the answer, you'll have to read the article!  But here's a hint: it's not for prestige or money. The article features interviews with our amazing health workers that Sherri conducted over several trips.  A discussion of the findings, along with quotes from our health worker volunteers, can be found on pages 15-18 of the article.

Click the title link to view the article: Sustained volunteerism:  Motivational factors of community health volunteers in Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Zambia, and Nepal.

We hope you enjoy learning a little more about our health worker heroes and why they volunteer year after year! 

Article Citation:

Sharon Minton Kirkpatrick, Janette Elizabeth Elliott, Wilaiporn Rojjanasrirat. (2025). Sustained volunteerism: Motivational factors of community health volunteers in Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Zambia, and Nepal. Clinical Nursing Studies, 13(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.5430/cns.v13n1p11 http://www.sciedupress.com/journal/index.php/cns/issue/view/1927.

DRC Wasaidizi volunteer, Joyce, weighing baby and providing post-natal counseling with mother.

Every year on April 7, World Health Day brings global attention to a pressing health issue. In 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) is launching a year-long campaign focused on maternal and newborn health under the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.” The goal is urgent and clear: to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths and to prioritize the long-term well-being of women everywhere.

At HealthEd Connect, these goals are aligned with our mission. Every day, our trained community health volunteers—many of them women leaders in their communities—ensure that mothers and babies not only survive, but thrive.

From prenatal checkups to postpartum care, infant growth monitoring, nutrition counseling, and sanitation education, our volunteers are equipped to provide care in some of the most underserved areas. As trusted advocates, they also serve as vital links between families and formal health systems.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, where maternal mortality remains alarmingly high, our Wasaidizi community health volunteers are making a life-saving difference. Trained by local medical professionals as traditional birth attendants, these volunteers provide skilled care before, during, and after childbirth. Their training emphasizes how to spot high-risk pregnancies early and safely refer mothers to hospitals when needed—a simple but essential step that can mean the difference between life and death.

This work is critical. According to the WHO, nearly 300,000 women die from pregnancy- and childbirth-related causes each year. Over 2 million babies die within their first month, and another 2 million are stillborn. That’s one preventable loss every seven seconds.

But hope is rising.

In 2024 alone, our community health partners in four countries:

• Safely delivered 3,473 babies while keeping mothers healthy

• Immunized 26,034 infants and children against preventable diseases

• Monitored the growth and development of 147,548 children from birth to five years

These numbers represent lives protected, futures made possible, and communities strengthened.

As we recognize World Health Day 2025, we reaffirm our commitment to investing in the health and well-being of women and children. Because healthy mothers and babies are the heartbeat of thriving communities.

Let’s work together for healthy beginnings and hopeful futures for all.

DRC Wasaidizi volunteer, Nathalie, dressed for traditional birth attendant training at local health clinic.

A solar-powered pump draws clean water for the Mulundu, Zambia community.

Recognizing World Water Day - March 22

Water is life. Access to clean and reliable water is not just about quenching thirst. It’s also about safeguarding health and enabling communities to thrive. Yet, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), over two billion people globally still lack access to safe drinking water. In many developing countries, families rely on distant or contaminated water sources, increasing the risk of severe illnesses caused by poor sanitation and lack of access to clean water. For children under five, unsafe water is a leading cause of death, with diarrhea-related illnesses claiming thousands of lives annually.

Beyond physical health, the absence of reliable water access also affects mental well-being and economic stability. Women and children often bear the burden of fetching water, walking long distances each day. This time-consuming task limits educational opportunities for children and reduces productive hours for women, perpetuating cycles of poverty.

HealthEd Connect, through the generosity of donors and grants, has been investing in water, sanitation, and hygiene projects in multiple communities. Solar-powered pumps draw water from deep boreholes, ensuring a consistent water supply within the community, and reducing labor-intensive journeys to collect water. Latrines improve community health by ensuring human waste is properly disposed and does not contaminate land and water. And our Community Health Advocates educate women, children, and families about the importance of good hygiene, safe sanitation, and clean drinking water to prevent illnesses. They also teach caregivers how to make and administer Oral Rehydration Solution, credited with saving children’s lives.

Supporting initiatives that provide access to clean water transforms lives, laying the foundation for health, education, and economic empowerment. Every drop counts!

After years of parent/caregiver meetings, community surveys, and planning, a dream is coming to life! The first phase of construction is underway for a new Skills Training Center and Kafwa (community health worker) Hall at Zamtan Community School of Peace in Zambia.

Watch this video to hear from school board representatives, Kafwa members, and the project contractor, as they mark this exciting milestone. And listen closely - the joyful sounds of children playing in the background remind us who this center is truly for!

Designed to equip students with practical skills, the center will offer training in computer technology and catering/hospitality - the top two fields identified through community surveys. Beginning with grades 5-7, the curriculum will also integrate financial literacy and entrepreneurship, ensuring a well-rounded foundation for future opportunities.

The center will also serve as a gathering place for Kafwa community health volunteers to hold meetings, conduct trainings, and lead community education initiatives.

There’s much to be excited about at Zamtan!

Zamtan Community School of Peace students and teachers holding skills center building plan

Potable water access project supported by USAID & UNICEF at Mazembe Sinkhani Community Center in Malawi, a HealthEd Connect partner, providing clean water to thousands of village residents.

Many are following the news and see that the changes and reorganization under the new U.S. administration are fast-moving and uncertain. The long-term impact these changes will have on international aid is unclear. For now, there is immediate disruption to programs that provide access to lifesaving medicines, family planning resources, and clean water which will impact the communities where HealthEd Connect serves. 

HealthEd Connect stands with our partners and will continue to support community-led programs in Africa and Nepal without interruption. As a registered public nonprofit, we rely on donor support, and appreciate your continued investment in our programs empowering women and children through evidence-based health, education, and advocacy.

Scholar receiving school supplies during the scholarship orientation session with students and their caregivers

January marks the beginning of a new school year in Zambia. HealthEd Connect is proud to sponsor scholarships for 126 high school students, thanks to donor support. Scholars receive school supplies, including notebooks, study kits, uniforms, shoes, backpacks, and academic tutoring throughout the year. These resources allow young scholars to focus on their studies, participate actively in class, and achieve their academic goals.

These scholars have attended one of our three community sister schools in Zambia, providing access to quality education for orphans and vulnerable children from grades K - 7. After completing grade 7, students may continue onward to their local government high school, but this progression is not always guaranteed. Although school is free, students must acquire their own supplies and uniforms, and of course, pass exams. Their parents/guardians face hardships, causing barriers to acquire these necessary supplies, and academic support when needed to help the student stay in school.

Thanks to your generous support, high school scholars are receiving the essential school supplies and academic support they need to thrive in their educational journey. This initiative instills hope and confidence, paving the way to a bright future full of potential!

High School Scholars group from Ndola, Zambia. Mr. Chipyango (far right, white shirt) will serve as their academic tutor throughout the year.

The Kasompe, Zambia Kafwa group shares thanks!

This week, as we recognize the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S., we wish to share our gratitude with YOU! HealthEd Connect programs empowering women and children through evidence-based health, education, and advocacy are made possible thanks to your support. Our health worker volunteers and community school colleagues are grateful for the opportunities to learn, grow, and help others. We thank you!

Watch this short video of thanks from our team in Kasompe, Zambia!

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