✨ 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