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

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.