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.

Powering Up Change

Digital Skills for All

This month marks a pivotal milestone: the launch of our PC Literacy Classes at the Kamanga Community Centre!

In a world where access to technology opens doors to opportunity, digital skills are no longer optional - they are essential. Even in the most rural village in Tanzania. Yet in rural Kamanga, most residents have had little or no access to computers.

Through these classes, we are bridging the digital divide, offering students - primarily young women - the chance to build critical skills that can transform their futures. From learning the basics of computer operation to understanding online resources and digital communication, students will gain the tools needed to engage, innovate, and thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

Each keystroke promotes empowerment, equity, and a more resilient community.

Why It Matters

🔹 Empowerment: Access to digital literacy means better education, more employment opportunities, and a stronger voice in community and societal issues.

🔹 Sustainable Impact: By investing in skills development, we are enabling long-term self-reliance and growth across generations.

🔹 Global Connection: Bridging the digital divide means opening Kamanga to the world—and the world to Kamanga.

You Can Be Part of the Solution

Got a used or refurbished computer gathering dust?
Put it to life-changing use!

📢 We urgently need more devices to meet the overwhelming interest in the classes. Every computer donated helps us teach more students, expand opportunities, and accelerate community-led change.

Let’s build a future where no one is left behind because they lack access to technology.

➡️ To donate a computer or find out more, email us at nina@cedarfoundation.org

Introducing SMILE – Sustainable Maternal and Infant Lifesaving Endeavours

In the remote rural areas of Tanzania where we work, pregnancy and childbirth remain perilous journeys. Despite national efforts to provide pre- and postnatal care through hospitals and clinics, many women continue to face insurmountable barriers that prevent them from accessing these essential services.

That’s why we are proud to introduce our newest initiative: SMILE – Sustainable Maternal and Infant Lifesaving Endevours. This project brings compassionate, high-quality pre- and postnatal care directly into the homes of pregnant women and new mothers across rural communities — bridging the gap between policy and reality.

Why Home-Based Maternal Care Matters

For many women in the region, travelling to a hospital or clinic is not simply a matter of choice — it’s a question of feasibility. Distance, lack of transport, cost, gender dynamics, cultural norms, and competing responsibilities at home all contribute to low attendance at antenatal check-ups and a continued reliance on unassisted home births.

Even when facilities are available, the perception and past experiences of health services can be significant deterrents. Some women report feeling judged or ignored at traditional clinics, or they worry about giving birth in an unfamiliar environment without the support of family or community. As a result, many still give birth at home — often in unsanitary conditions and without skilled assistance — putting both their lives and those of their babies at risk.

What SMILE Offers

The SMILE project provides:

• Home visits by a trained maternal health worker before and after birth.

• Monitoring maternal and newborn health, including those not delivered at our hospital.

• Support with breastfeeding and nutrition, addressing challenges that arise when mothers must return to labour-intensive work shortly after birth.

• Problem-solving for high-risk cases, including providing infant formula where breastfeeding is not possible and supporting the establishment of alternative caregiving strategies.

• Culturally sensitive, non-judgemental care, with trust built through local community engagement.

We’ve already witnessed the profound impact of these home visits. In some households, our team has encountered dangerously malnourished infants, where the mother must work up to 12 hours a day to feed her other children. In such cases, SMILE steps in with medical support and practical, compassionate solutions: arranging for family members to bring the baby to the mother during work breaks or supplying formula where necessary to ensure the child’s survival.

Empowering Families, One Visit at a Time

SMILE is more than a health service — it’s a lifeline. By meeting women where they are, we offer care on their terms, without judgment or conditions. We believe no woman should have to choose between feeding her children and caring for her newborn.

We are grateful to our dedicated local team and our supporters for making SMILE possible. Together, we’re delivering more than maternal health care — we’re delivering dignity, hope, and opportunity for the future.

From Healthcare to Technology

The past few months have been a whirlwind of activity at Australia for Cedar Tanzania! We are thrilled to share that no fewer than five new projects are launching between March and June, all designed to bring sustainable change and improve health and wellbeing in our communities. Here’s a look at some of our newest initiatives:

SMILE: Bringing Pre- and Postnatal Care to Women’s Doorsteps

Pregnancy and childbirth should be a time of joy, but for many women in rural Tanzania, accessing essential healthcare remains a challenge. While expectant mothers are entitled to four antenatal visits, research shows that attendance rates are low due to barriers such as distance, cost, and lack of awareness. In response, we are launching SMILE, a project that delivers pre- and postnatal care directly to women in their homes.

Postnatal care is equally crucial, as both mother and baby face heightened risks in the early weeks following birth. According to the WHO, nearly 50% of postnatal maternal deaths occur within the first 24 hours after childbirth, and timely postnatal visits can reduce neonatal mortality by up to 27% (WHO, 2022). Recognising this gap, SMILE extends support beyond delivery, ensuring that both mother and baby receive essential health check-ups and guidance during this critical period.

The project officially launches in April, with a dedicated nurse leading the initiative. Over the past two weeks, he has undergone intensive training, including off-road motorbike riding — an essential skill for reaching remote areas. As we monitor the impact of SMILE, we are hopeful that this initiative will expand over time, reaching even more mothers and babies in need. We are eager to see SMILE make a real difference in maternal and infant health!

Computer Literacy Classes: Bridging the Digital Divide

Technology is a powerful tool for education and economic empowerment, yet many people in our community have never had the opportunity to learn basic digital skills. To change this, we are launching computer literacy classes at our community centre in April.

Thanks to recent investments in securing a dedicated space for computers, we can now safely store our equipment and offer structured classes. Participants will learn essential skills, including:

• Conducting internet searches

• Using Microsoft Word and Excel

• Leveraging technology to improve literacy and numeracy skills

This initiative is particularly exciting because you can help! If you have an unused desktop, laptop, or tablet, we would love to put it to good use. Your contribution could make a world of difference for someone taking their first steps into the digital world.

Mental Health Training for Our Outreach Team

Our Outreach Team works closely with community members facing a range of challenges, including those struggling with mental health issues. Navigating these cases requires sensitivity, knowledge, and emotional resilience. That’s why we are delighted to announce that two of our team members, Jaqui and Steven, have been selected to take part in a 12-month psychology course.

This program, attended by representatives from five other local NGOs, will cover essential topics such as:

• Psychological self-care for frontline workers

• Psychological first aid techniques for supporting clients

• Strategies for handling trauma and crisis situations

Once trained, Jaqui and Steven will share their knowledge with the rest of the team, ensuring that our entire Outreach Team is better equipped to provide compassionate and effective support to those in need.

Preparing for a New 26-Bed Maternity Ward

We are thrilled to announce our plans for a 26-bed maternity ward, an extension to our current hospital. Construction will begin in July this year and be completed in the first half of 2026. This expansion will greatly enhance our ability to provide maternal healthcare to the community.

However, before the first brick is laid, a tremendous amount of groundwork needs to be completed, including:

• Architectural drawings and designs

• Budget planning and fundraising

• Permits and regulatory approvals

• Contractor selection and site preparation

This is a monumental step in ensuring safe childbirth for women in our region. The ward will also have facilities to perform caesarean sections and provide safer assistance in case of complications. We will keep you updated on our progress.

Mount Kilimanjaro Climb: A Fundraising Adventure!

For those seeking a challenge with a purpose, we are in the early stages of planning a Mount Kilimanjaro Climb as a fundraising initiative. More details will be shared soon, but if you have ever dreamed of summiting Africa’s highest peak while supporting a great cause, keep an eye out for updates!

Ongoing Projects and Community Initiatives

While these new projects are incredibly exciting, we remain deeply committed to our ongoing work, including:

• Our Outreach Team provides essential medical care to people with disabilities in their own homes. We currently have approximately 350 families on our schedule, all of whom receive at least one visit per week—some many more—depending on their individual needs.

• Our Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy clinic is open for business twice a week, providing essential rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities and mobility challenges. Our dedicated team works closely with patients to improve their independence, mobility, and overall quality of life through tailored therapy sessions.,

• Our hospital serves 30,000 residents, providing maternity services, vaccinations, under-5 health checks, HIV/AIDS counselling and ARV distribution, general medical care, and overnight observation when necessary.

• Six savings clubs, where groups of up to 20 people meet regularly to save money and access small loans to improve their financial security. Savings groups are a powerful tool for economic empowerment, helping members build resilience and invest in their futures.

• Our tailoring project continues to thrive. The first group of 2025 has just graduated, equipping participants with valuable skills for employment and entrepreneurship.

• Landscaping and water drainage improvements following our new perimeter wall's completion, ensuring our facilities' sustainability and safety.
  

More on the Horizon…

As if all this wasn’t enough, we are currently negotiating for three additional projects, which we hope to announce soon! In addition, we have several grant applications under review and will be submitting two more this month.

Join Us in Creating Change!

We couldn’t be more excited about these new initiatives, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who has made them possible. Whether through donating technology, spreading the word, or supporting us financially, every contribution helps drive positive change.

Stay tuned for more updates as these projects unfold. Together, we are making a tangible impact!

With gratitude,
Nina Hjortlund and the Cedar Tanzania Team

The Impact of USAID Cuts on Tanzania: Job Losses, Healthcare Disruptions, and the HIV/AIDS Crisis

The recent USAID funding cuts have had far-reaching consequences for Tanzania, severely impacting healthcare services, employment, and the supply chain of antiretroviral (ARV) medications crucial for HIV/AIDS treatment. These cuts have triggered widespread job losses in the healthcare sector, led to the shutdown of vital health organisations, and disrupted the ARV distribution system, putting millions of lives at risk.

For us at Cedar Tanzania, we immediately lost our three nurses dedicated to HIV/AIDS counselling and ARV distribution. These nurses were funded by ICAP, which saw their funding cut from one day to the next.

We are trying to re-hire one of the nurses by scraping funding from our other projects.

Of course, we are not the only ones. This is happening at every clinic across Tanzania.

Massive Job Losses in the Healthcare Sector

USAID has long been a key financial supporter of Tanzania’s healthcare workforce. However, the abrupt termination of funding has left thousands of health workers unemployed. As a result of the cuts to USAID, approximately 5,000 healthcare professionals, many directly involved in HIV and malaria prevention programs, lost their jobs without warning. These job losses have affected essential services, particularly in rural and underserved communities, where medical support is already scarce.

Adding to this crisis, ICAP at Columbia University, a leading organisation in HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, has been forced to shut down operations in Tanzania due to the funding halt. ICAP has been instrumental in providing HIV testing, counseling, and ARV treatments. Its closure has left countless medical professionals jobless and has caused major disruptions in HIV/AIDS care.

Disruptions in HIV/AIDS Treatment and ARV Supply Chain

Tanzania has made significant progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, with approximately 1.4 million people relying on ARVs to manage the disease. However, the USAID funding cuts have severely disrupted the ARV supply chain, creating significant obstacles in procurement, distribution, and patient access.

The Ripple Effect: Rising HIV Transmission and Drug Resistance

Interruptions in ARV treatment have severe consequences. When patients miss doses or stop treatment altogether, the virus can become resistant to medication, making it harder to treat in the future. This is a really scary scenario. Not only will future treatments of individual patients become harder, it will also increase the likelihood of new infections. Remember the AIDS pandemic in the 1980’s?

The Global Health Council has warned that the termination of USAID grants could result in millions of preventable deaths worldwide, particularly among populations dependent on HIV/AIDS treatments. Experts fear that Tanzania may see a resurgence of HIV infections, reversing years of progress in combating the epidemic.

The Future of Healthcare in Tanzania

The USAID funding cuts have already destabilised Tanzania’s healthcare sector, leaving thousands of health workers unemployed and millions of people without access to HIV/AIDS treatment. The country risks facing a major public health crisis unless alternative funding sources are secured.

International organisations, private donors, and global health agencies must step in to prevent further devastation. Without urgent intervention, Tanzania (and the rest of Africa) may experience a sharp increase in HIV-related deaths, a rise in new infections, and the collapse of critical healthcare infrastructure.

Conclusion

The USAID funding cuts have not only impacted Tanzania’s economy by causing mass job losses but have also placed the lives of over a million people living with HIV/AIDS at risk. The collapse of organisations like ICAP and the disruption of the ARV supply chain highlight the fragility of donor-dependent healthcare systems.

As Tanzania navigates this crisis, global health stakeholders must come together to find sustainable solutions. Whether through diversified funding sources, increased government investment, or private sector partnerships, action must be taken now to preserve the progress made in the fight against HIV/AIDS and ensure that Tanzanians continue to receive the healthcare they need.

We want to continue serving our communities of 35,000 residents, but to do so, we need replacement funding for our three nurses and a steady supply of ARVs.

A Major Milestone Achieved

Over the last four years, we’ve witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of climate change on our community near Lake Victoria. Seasonal flooding has become increasingly severe, threatening the safety of our hospital and the lives of our patients, staff, and surrounding communities.

The rising waters have claimed at least 200 meters of land, creeping closer to our hospital with every rainy season. As many of you know, our hospital’s proximity to Lake Victoria is crucial. We rely on the lake to provide a steady supply of clean, treated water for our operations - a vital resource in an area with no running water infrastructure. Yet, this closeness to the lake has made us vulnerable to the dangers of flooding.

The Dangers of Flooding

Floodwaters are not just an inconvenience; they bring serious threats:

Wildlife Encroachment: Floodwaters displace animals like snakes and crocodiles, bringing them dangerously close to our hospital and residential areas.

Parasites and Diseases: The stagnant water is a breeding ground for parasites such as schistosomiasis, while waterborne diseases like typhoid become rampant as long-drop toilets are washed out. With no sewage system in the area, the risk to public health is immense.

Infrastructure Damage: Without protection, the hospital's buildings and critical systems could be destroyed, jeopardizing our ability to provide essential care.

building a wall

To address these challenges, we undertook the monumental task of building a retaining wall to act as a protective barrier between the hospital and the lake. This major construction project, completed by local contractors, has been a remarkable achievement for our small team.

The retaining wall now safeguards our existing infrastructure and ensures the safety of everyone who relies on our hospital. It also paves the way for future growth, particularly the construction of our much-needed maternity ward, which we are thrilled to begin after the rainy season ends in April/May.

We are immensely proud of this accomplishment and excited to see how this protective measure will positively impact our hospital and community.

Grateful for the Support

This project would not have been possible without the generosity of our supporters, and we extend a heartfelt thank you to Capital Drilling for their significant contribution to the cost and their continued support of our work. Your commitment to improving lives in our community is deeply appreciated.