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

Isolation. Emergencies. And 1 Ambulance for 663,000 People

Lockdown in Kamanga: A Personal Reflection

I’m writing from Tanzania, where the national election on 29th October sparked widespread unrest. Protests turned violent in Mwanza and across Tanzania, leaving many traumatised. Entire cities and every suburb were affected by killings. The government shut down internet access for six days, and a military-enforced curfew from 6pm to 6am made movements very restricted. Even during day-time it was too dangerous to go outside..

I was in Kamanga village — probably the safest place I could have been — but still under what was like a voluntary house arrest. For seven days, I had no internet, no news, no radio. Just two books, a yoga mat, frogs serenating at night, and a growing sense of isolation. Food was running low, shops were closed, and petrol had nearly vanished. Prices doubled overnight.

But even in the silence, one truth stood loud and clear: our work is more vital than ever.

We Kept Going — Because Our Community Needs Us

Despite the chaos, our teams never gave up. Babies were still born. Emergencies didn’t stop. Where possible, we delivered vital services — changing bandages, administering medications, and doing what we could with what we had.

Now that some restrictions have lifted, our outreach teams are back in the field — but barely. Our motorbikes, which connect us to our remote patients, are running dry. There were no fuel to be had today. Maybe tomorrow. The cost of fuel will be soaring once we can get some.

This is the reality of community-led development. It’s not perfect, it’s not always safe but it’s resilient, and it’s essential.

One Ambulance. 663,000 People.

Right now, our district — home to 663,000 people across 1,842 km² — has just one ambulance. And it is not at our hospital. It is based 1.5 hours away.

When emergencies strike, lives are often lost before help can even arrive. Mothers in labour, people with disabilities, children with infections — many of them simply don’t make it in time.

We urgently need ann ambulance to serve this community. It’s not a luxury. It’s a necessity.

🎄 This is our 2025 Christmas Appeal: Let’s Put An Ambulance on the Road.

We need to raise another USD $50,000 to purchase a 4WD ambulance that can navigate the rough terrain and transport patients safely to Kamanga Health Centre.

➡️ Click here to give the gift of life this Christmas

Every contribution brings us closer to a that ambulance and helps ensure no one is left waiting in a medical emergency.

Thank you for standing with us - in peace and in crisis, in progress and in challenge.

P.S. We are all safe. Our staff has shown incredible support and solidarity towards one another and towards their community, I couldn’t be prouder.

With Gratitude

Nina and the Cedar Team

We are smiling – Thanks to 100’s of women!

✨ I’m so proud to share this moment with you ✨

On Saturday night, in a room filled with hundreds of incredible women, I was honoured to accept a grant from 100Women Australia on behalf of Australia for Cedar Tanzania.

It was a truly unforgettable night, celebrating alongside my two beautiful daughters who cheered me on from the front row, and my extraordinary business coach, Liz del Borello, who has been an unwavering source of support, wisdom, and courage over the past 12 months. I wouldn’t be here without her.

This grant will directly support the expansion of our SMILE Project (Sustainable Maternal and Infant Lifesaving Endeavours) bringing life-saving midwifery care to women in the most remote corners of rural Tanzania .

“This is more than just a grant. It’s a vote of confidence in community-led healthcare, in maternal dignity, and in the power of women to shape their own futures.”

On Sunday evening, I boarded a plane to Tanzania. I am on my way to be back with our incredible team, working side-by-side to strategically implement this next phase of SMILE. There’s real work ahead, but I’ve never felt more energised, more hopeful, or more proud.

We’re smiling. So are the thousands of women in Tanzania who now have real access to the kind of care every mother deserves.

A woman in Tanzania faces many challenges during a pregnancy. The nearest health facility might be several hours walk away, and with no transport it is near impossible. They do not have access to public transport like we have here in Australia - heck there might not even be a road!

That is why we have the coolest midwives riding off-road motorbikes right were it is needed the most - in people’s own homes.

This program is close to my heart. It provides prenatal and postnatal care through home visits, supports early intervention, educates families on nutrition and newborn care, and trains midwives and community health workers, reaching women where they are with dignity, respect, and real healthcare solutions .

To the phenomenal 100Women community: Thank You for believing in our work. Your support will ripple across generations.

To every supporter who’s stood by our side: this win is yours, too. Let’s keep showing the world what’s possible when purpose and action come together.

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]

🌿 We’re Finalists! SMILE Project Shortlisted for 100 Women Grant 🌿

We are honoured and thrilled to share that Australia for Cedar Tanzania has been selected as a finalist for a 100Women grant with our newest initiative: the SMILE Project (Sustainable Maternal and Infant Lifesaving Endeavours).

This nomination is a deeply meaningful moment for us. It’s a recognition of not just our work, but the strength, resilience, and leadership of the women in rural Tanzania who inspire us every day. We are grateful to 100Women and their community for recognising the value of this project, and for believing in community-led, life-saving impact.

👉 Read about our project on the 100 Women site here:
https://100women.org.au/grant/australia-for-cedar-tanzania-ltd/

What is the SMILE Project?

SMILE is a community-based healthcare initiative that provides essential maternal and newborn care directly to women in their homes, especially in remote villages in rural Tanzania.

Delivered by a team of skilled midwives and community health workers, SMILE ensures that no mother is left behind. Through in-home postnatal visits, education on breastfeeding and nutrition, family planning counselling, and the early identification of complications, the project is a lifeline during the most vulnerable time in a mother’s and baby’s life.

What makes SMILE unique is its holistic, respectful approach to care—built on trust, community participation, and culturally aligned delivery. It’s not about charity. It’s about dignity, access, and lasting change.

Every 47 Minutes, a Mother Dies:

Every day in Tanzania, 30 women die from pregnancy or childbirth-related causes deaths that are overwhelmingly preventable. In rural areas in Tanzania, over 40% of women give birth at home, often without skilled support, and access to postnatal care is nearly nonexistent. For newborns, the risks are just as severe: 1 in 32 babies in Tanzania won’t survive their first month of life. These aren’t just numbers; they represent mothers without midwives, babies without follow-up care, and families without the support they need. The SMILE project exists to change that.

💚 Your Vote Can Save Lives

If you’re a 100 Women member, your vote can help bring this project to life.

By voting for the SMILE project, you’re voting for:

✅ Women to receive critical care in their own homes
✅ Babies to survive and thrive during the first fragile weeks
✅ Local health workers to be empowered and upskilled
✅ A healthcare model that reaches those most often forgotten

🌟 Voting is open until 10 October 2025. Please log into your 100Women account and cast your vote for the SMILE project.

Together, we can change maternal and infant health outcomes in one of Tanzania’s most underserved regions.

Thank you, 100Women. Thank you to our supporters. And thank you to every mother who trusts us to walk alongside her.

With gratitude,

Nina and the Cedar Team

Sources

1. World Health Organization (WHO), Global Health Observatory | 11,000 maternal deaths annually in Tanzania.

2. Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) 2015–16 |rural delivery statistics.

3. UNICEF/World Bank – Neonatal mortality rate of | 31 per 1,000 live births in Tanzania.

We’ve Broken Ground

A New Beginning for Maternal Health at Kamanga Health Centre

We are thrilled to announce that construction has officially begun on Phase 1 of our new Maternity Ward at Kamanga Health Centre in Tanzania.

This is more than just a new building; it is a bold step toward equity, dignity, and safer births for women across our community.

For years, our existing maternity unit has been operating beyond capacity, with over 50 deliveries every month. In a region where 11,000 women die every year during childbirth - that’s one woman every 47 minutes - this expansion could not be more urgent.

What Phase 1 Includes

The new ward will feature:

• 6 delivery beds

• 10 post-natal beds

• 4 post-caesarean beds

• 3 pre-natal beds

• 2 premature beds

• Separate toilets and shower facilities for new mothers

This upgrade will allow us to free up critical space in the rest of the hospital and improve the overall care provided to all patients.

While Phase 2, the operating theatre, is yet to be funded, this first phase already represents a massive leap in capacity, privacy, and quality of care.

Why It Matters

Our hospital is the only health facility in the area servicing nearly 35,000 residents, yet women often arrive in active labour due to transportation challenges or restrictive policies. With the expanded space and specialised beds, we can now welcome these women earlier and with greater care and dignity.

This project is also deeply aligned with our SMILE initiative (Sustainable Maternal and Infant Lifesaving Endeavours), which launched in early 2025. Together, they form a holistic strategy to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality and improve health outcomes for entire families.

Let’s Make It Fully Operational

While construction is funded, we are actively seeking support to equip the new maternity ward. Our goal is to ship high-quality second-hand hospital equipment from Australia and the USA—including beds, monitors, and essential birthing equipment.

We are also replacing outdated gear in our existing wings to ensure all mothers receive the care they deserve.

If you or your company would like to be part of this life-saving milestone, we would love to hear from you.

📩 Email: nina@cedarfoundation.org
🌍 Learn more: australiaforcedartanzania.org

What’s Next?
🧗 In September 2026, our team and supporters will climb Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for solar power installation at the new maternity ward. Stay tuned for how you can support, or even join, the adventure.

Thank you for your support,

Nina and the Cedar Team

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.

The Power Of Partnership - Building CSR With Purpose

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has undergone a significant evolution. Today, it's not enough to fund causes; businesses are expected to co-create change. True CSR means building strategic partnerships that reflect your brand values while addressing real-world needs.

We call this Purpose-Driven Partnership and it's transforming how companies engage with their social responsibilities.

Done well, CSR isn't just good for society — it's good for business. Strategic partnerships build employee engagement, enhance brand trust, and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). But most importantly, they drive shared success where it's needed most.

Tailored to Your Brand:
We understand each company has unique values and priorities. That’s why our projects are built with flexibility at their core. From climate action to maternal health, our ready-to-launch initiatives can be tailored to your business goals.

Whether you're seeking a climate-resilient project, like Green Kamanga, or a gender-equity initiative like the Sewing Academy, we provide end-to-end project delivery, storytelling assets, and data-backed reporting to meet your internal and stakeholder expectations.

What Makes Our CSR Model Different?

• Customisable to your ESG goals

• Fully managed implementation

• Transparent, ethical, and legally compliant

• Local ownership and long-term sustainability

• Ongoing impact reports and storytelling support

Let's Reframe CSR:
Forget one-size-fits-all philanthropy. Today’s leaders invest in partnerships that drive value for communities, stakeholders, and the planet. Let’s build one, together.

🔗 Start a conversation: nina@cedarfoundation.org
🌍 Learn more: www.australiaforcedartanzania.org

✂️ Empowering Through Stitching: The Story of Our Sewing Academy

At Australia for Cedar Tanzania, we believe in creating opportunities that last. Since 2019, our Sewing Academy has been quietly transforming lives—one stitch at a time. What began as a modest tailoring initiative has blossomed into a community-renowned program, providing practical skills and economic hope for young women who had limited options for the future.

🧵 Why Sewing? Why Now?

In rural Tanzania, many girls aged 16 to 25 are unable to return to formal education due to early pregnancy, financial hardship, or systemic gender inequality. These young women often fall through the cracks—excluded from school, employment, and economic independence.

Our Sewing Academy bridges that gap.

The program offers a one-year hands-on curriculum in sewing, tailoring, basic business management, and mobile banking. It’s more than vocational training—it’s a path to self-reliance. By the end of the program, each participant is equipped to either establish their own sewing business or join a local tailoring cooperative.

👩‍🎓 A Life-Changing Education

Each participant receives:

• Practical sewing training from skilled local instructors.

• Business literacy training covering bookkeeping, savings, and banking.

• Ongoing mentoring and group support.

💡 The Broader Impact

The economic ripple effect is undeniable. These women reinvest their income in their families—boosting access to healthcare, education, and household stability. Empowered women become role models, reshaping perceptions of gender roles in the community.

The Sewing Academy contributes directly to:

• SDG 1: No Poverty

• SDG 4: Quality Education

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The Sewing Academy is one of our ready-to-launch CSR product offerings and can be tailored to align with any private sector company’s social impact goals. Whether you operate in Tanzania or simply believe in equitable access to education and economic opportunity, this project offers a meaningful and measurable way to empower women and reduce poverty. We handle all aspects of implementation—from training and mentoring to impact reporting—ensuring your investment delivers lasting value to both your brand and the communities you support.

Thank you for your support,

Nina and the Cedar Team

SMILE: A New Chapter in Community-Based Maternal Health

Every 47 minutes, a mother dies giving birth in Tanzania.

We believe this is not just a statistic - it’s a call to action.

This month, we proudly launched SMILE: Sustainable Maternal and Infant Lifesaving Endeavours. This is a new, community-driven initiative designed to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes in Nyamatongo Ward, where the need is urgent and the opportunity for change is immense.

Why SMILE?

In our corner of rural north-western Tanzania, too many mothers and newborns remain outside the reach of formal health systems. Cultural norms, long distances, and limited transport often mean that by the time a woman arrives at a clinic, it’s already too late.

SMILE brings midwifery care directly to mothers’ doorsteps, ensuring no woman is left behind in her most vulnerable moments. The project is rooted in Kamanga Health Centre, our locally trusted hub for maternal health, and builds on years of experience, trust, and community collaboration.

Led by trained Tanzanian midwives and supported by Community Health Workers, SMILE provides:

• Timely home visits in the critical postpartum period—within 3 days, again after 7 days, and ongoing up to six weeks

• Family planning and reproductive health counselling

• Education on breastfeeding, newborn care, nutrition, and hygiene

• Emergency referrals and follow-ups

• Ongoing phone-based support, even in remote areas

It’s holistic. It’s personalised. And it’s powered by women, for women.

What We Aim to Achieve

• Lower maternal and neonatal mortality

• Earlier detection of complications

• Increased uptake of postnatal care and family planning

• Stronger community health systems through training and collaboration

• Empowered mothers and healthier babies

What makes SMILE truly special is that it’s community-led and locally anchored. The midwives and health workers delivering care are part of the same communities they serve - trusted faces providing comfort, connection, and competence. This is not an intervention flown in. This is a movement grown from within.

What Comes Next?

As SMILE rolls out across Nyamatongo, we’ll be tracking our progress closely. Collecting data, listening to mothers, and refining our delivery. Because every mother deserves a safe birth. Every baby deserves a healthy start. And every smile we protect is a reminder of what’s possible when development is done with dignity.

This is just the beginning. SMILE has the potential to scale, but we need your support to get there. Whether you're a donor, a medical volunteer, or a company seeking impactful CSR, you can help bring critical care to where it’s needed most.

📩 To learn more or support the project, reach out to us at nina@cedarfoundation.org
🌐 Visit: www.australiaforcedartanzania.org

Together, let’s make sure no mother is left behind—and every child begins life with a chance to thrive.

Thank you for your support,

Nina and the Cedar Team

Sources:

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/maternal-mortality

Regional data from Lake Zone and Sengerema District often cite much higher ratios, supporting the figure of 1 maternal death every 47–50 minutes in rural and high-risk areas.