This Mother’s Day, we celebrate not only mothers here is Australia, but internationally, highlighting life-changing impact of the St John Mother and Baby Programme – a vitally important initiative dedicated to improving maternal and newborn health across communities that need it most.
Originally launched in 2014 by St John International, the Mother and Baby Programme (Mama Na Mwana) began in Malawi, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, with Kenya joining as a pilot in 2025, and plans underway to extend into Ghana. Over the past ten years, the programme has made meaningful progress in regions where maternal and infant mortality rates remain critically high, and where access to timely, quality healthcare can mean the difference between life and death.
From frontline volunteers and trainers to operational leaders, educators and specialists, women across St John bring expertise, compassion and innovation to their work every single day. Their contributions help ensure the organisation continues to evolve to meet the needs of the diverse communities it serves.
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate just a few of the remarkable women at the Australian Office whose work reflects the spirit of service that defines St John.
Improving Maternal and Child Health
Across Sub-Saharan Africa, the programme is helping families access essential health information and services. It promotes early and regular antenatal care, skilled health facility deliveries, immunisation, nutrition, and exclusive breastfeeding; – empowering women to make informed decisions about their health, and the health and wellbeing of their children.
Through a combination of community outreach, education, and clinical support, the programme has achieved significant results.
- 433 trained and active St John volunteers
- Over 239,000 primary beneficiaries enrolled
- More than 1.19 million secondary beneficiaries reached
- Over 557,000 health consultations delivered
- A 52% increase in antenatal care access (from 25% in 2022)
- A 96% adoption rate for family planning (up from 83% in 2022)
These outcomes are driven by strong community engagement and partnerships between families and local health providers, supported through home visits, outreach clinics, and education sessions.
A Model for Sustainable Change
At the heart of the programme is a commitment to delivering consistent and high-quality care, developed from years of listening to volunteers, healthcare workers, and communities. It translates real-world experience into practical, step-by-step guidance which ensures every volunteer follows the same core procedures, from initial home visits through to postnatal care.
This consistency is supported by the “Nurture” system, a performance and learning platform that provides real-time insights into programme delivery. It allows teams to identify what’s working, address challenges, and continuously improve outcomes.
Knowledge sharing is also key. In countries like Zimbabwe, volunteers regularly exchange ideas and experiences, helping successful approaches spread across communities and strengthening the programme as a whole.
Winnie’s Story
“When I knock on a mother’s door, she welcomes me because she knows I bring hope and solutions,”
-Winnie
Behind every statistic is a story, and volunteers like Winnie bring the programme to life.
For over ten years Winnie has served as a dedicated community volunteer in Uganda. Since joining the Mother and Baby Programme, she has grown into a confident leader, trusted advocate, and source of support for mothers within her community.
Through training in maternal health, nutrition, and counselling, Winnie developed the skills needed to educate and guide families. She conducts home visits, facilitates group discussions, and connects mothers with local health services. She has become a vital link between the community and care.
Winnie’s impact extends beyond health. With support from the programme, she has started a small poultry business, applying financial literacy skills to generate income for her family. She is now a respected voice in local decision-making and is regularly invited to represent women’s perspectives in community meetings.
Her journey reflects the broader impact of the programme: empowering women with knowledge, confidence, and opportunity, not just to support others, but to shape their own futures.
Looking Ahead
The Mother and Baby Programme continues to demonstrate how community-led, evidence-based approaches can drive meaningful change. By combining strong systems, local knowledge, and dedicated volunteers, it is helping build healthier families and more resilient communities.
This Mother’s Day, we honour mothers everywhere and give thanks to volunteers and programmes working tirelessly to support them every step of the way.
