On the Front Lines: Courageous Change Makers
In Recognition and Thanks
Community health workers are behind EVERYTHING we do. CMMB recruits and trains these committed members of the community, equipping them with the knowledge and skills they need to provide care to the most vulnerable families. Each community health worker cares for between 50 and 200 families, providing regular visits, compassion, and love. These amazing people save lives every single day. We salute them and their work.
President and CEO, Bruce Wilkinson, reflects on the crucial and invaluable service community health workers provide:
“In my 30 years of living and working in Africa and around the globe, I have met many incredibly courageous people who have turned the tide on poverty, illness, and injustice. And what a privilege this has been! The vast majority of these courageous change makers are front line heath workers. This week we honor their commitment and love for the communities they serve.
At CMMB, we know just how important their role is. We invest our best energy in training, equipping, and deploying these respected community members. The return on this investment is literally life changing. So please allow me to salute these selfless courageous women and men who create a world in which every human life is valued and health and dignity are available to all.”
The Faces of Change and Love
Here are some images of our amazing community health workers from Haiti, Kenya, Peru, South Sudan, and Zambia.
Mabel, a community health worker in Zambia
Rosaline Felisna, community health worker leading a Mothers’ Club in Côtes-de-Fer
In South Sudan, our child protection officers make it their duty to find safe spaces for kids to be kids. In this part of the world many children have been affected by various forms of conflict, abuse, violence and exploitation.
Edina Napungwe, Florence Mukoboto, CMMB community health worker in Zambia, with Alfred and his siblings.
Kerna is a community health worker in Haiti who has saved lives.
“Once you visit a family, you become responsible for them. I’m trusted by my community because I have worked with them and I work with all my heart because I love my job.” – Kerna, community health worker in Haiti
Community health worker and baby in Yambio, South Sudan
Innocent stands with Lumba Makuyu. They are both part of Safe Motherhood Action Groups (SMAGS) in Mwandi Zambia serving their community.
“Together we are stronger” – community health workers in Zambia rely on each other.
“If it wasn’t for the community health workers, I think my granddaughter would have lost her baby– maybe she would have lost her own life. It was them who carried her. It was them who called the nurse and got the ambulance. It was them that helped save her life.” – Naomi, grandmother in the community of Mwandi
Guibert Ramilus, a CMMB community health worker. Here he is leading a rally post. He provides basic health care and screenings for residents, in Côtes-de-Fer. He teaches mothers the health benefits of giving iron to their children.
In friendship and love. Community health workers in South Sudan build relationships and community in a place torn apart by violence and loss.
Community health worker, Sara, offers her home as a place as a health center for her community. She ensures that boys and girls receive iron supplements to reduce anemia.
Community health workers join together in Mutomo, Kenya to receive training. Building capacity is key to promoting change in communities.
Delfina and Lourdes are CMMB’s only husband and wife Community Health Workers. Together they deliver more than health to their community – they deliver hope.
Community health workers in Peru forge friendships as they change the lives of vulnerable women and children in their communities.
Community health workers Mwanamwambwa and Zuze are guardian angels for the people in their community
“She saved my baby’s life.” – Namwi, mom from community
Community health workers in Haiti make a huge difference in the lives of the people in their community.
Lucy Kazaka (50 years old) is a community health worker who has been working at Makululu Health Facility in Zambia for over 15 years. “I’m giving back to the community and the respect that I’ve earned is amazing. I really feel happy when I help the women and children in my community. On busy days such as Mondays, I attend to over 60 children.”
“I was inspired to join after I saw the commitment of the volunteers when I was diagnosed with tuberculosis many years ago. They came to check on me so many times and gave me hope that I would recover. I did recover and later joined as a home-based care supporter. I have never looked back since then.” – Lucy, community health worker in Zambia
Souffrilene Descolline, Community Health Worker with CMMB, is trusted and loved by the 200 women she helps in Haiti.
To all our community health workers – we salute you.