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.
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.
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