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Amref Health Africa is Africa鈥檚 health charity, training African health workers and bringing good quality healthcare closer to those who need it most.

They started life in 1957 as the Flying Doctors of East Africa, to provide the most remote communities with healthcare. Their training reaches across 35 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Last year they helped 13 million people and trained 258,000 people on health and health-related issues. They focus on women and children. By focusing on their health, they improve the health of the whole community.

Their head office is in Nairobi, and 90% of their staff are Africans working in Africa. At their small fundraising office in London, they are proud that last year 88% of their total expenditure went directly to projects in Africa.

鈥淎mref has been saving lives for decades, and should give us all hope that even the most complex health challenges can be overcome.鈥� Bill Gates

鈥淚 had to leave my home while the baby was coming out. I was so scared.

When we arrived at the hospital, they gave me more fluids and they even gave me blood. I was taken to theatre for an operation to deliver my baby.

I was afraid that I was going to die, or that my baby would die, but we are both safe and well. Not all the women are as fortunate as I was. Many lose their babies because they cannot get help in time.鈥�

Catherine Benneth is training to be a midwife in Maridi, South Sudan. In this area of the country, Amref Health Africa is the only organisation training midwives.

鈥淲hen you see a mother who wanted to bring life in the world, just passed away like that, it is so painful. In our community it鈥檚 worse because you find many [pregnant] women who just stay in their homes. Most of them fear to go to hospital because it is very far and there is no transport for them.鈥�

Amref Health Africa began using computer-based training to upgrade nurses from enrolled status in Kenya in 2005. We are now extending this to midwives in Tanzania; Mary is one of 89 students learning in this way.

鈥淚 feel more empowered and confident now. I can diagnose diseases and even offer advice to the doctors. In case of an emergency, I鈥檓 able to make life saving decisions. I鈥檝e also started conducting health talks with the patients, which I did not do before.鈥�

Photo Credit: Steve Murigi

Between them, Esther and her colleagues at her health centre deliver 45 to 50 babies every month

鈥淢y health centre is deep in the rural area. It is not fenced, there is no mains power and the solar panels do not work. This makes our work very difficult, particularly in the maternity ward. Sometimes the mothers come with candles, but it is not easy to do a delivery by candle-light. Even though I work in very difficult circumstances, I know I do an important job. 鈥�

Photo Credit: Diane McCarthy