About Us — WAJAMAMA

We are a women-led social enterprise-NGO hybrid built on the belief that initiatives aimed at creating the greatest social change must prioritize the beginning of life.

WAJAMAMA stands for WATOTO (children), JAMII (community), MAMA

Dedicated to disease prevention and health promotion

We believe that health promotion and disease prevention is the answer to breaking the vicious cycle of poverty and disease. Research shows that community health and wellness are directly linked to improved productivity and therefore long-term country-level economic growth.

Highest Medical Standards & Holistic Approach

We provide high-quality primary care services for all, specialized women’s health services (including gynecological, preconception, antenatal, and postpartum care) and educational health and wellness workshops, such as cervical and breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, breastfeeding, and childbirth education.

Our holistic approach to healthcare includes the promotion of physical and mental health through movement. We want more women and girls make fitness and mindfulness a part of their daily life.

Our hybrid model helps us sustain our community efforts even when donor funding is not available. Each private client that gets health care services at our medical clinic or participates in our group fitness classes helps make our holistic health care services accessible to women and girls from underserved communities.

The Hybrid Model

WAJAMAMA Foundation

Making holistic health care services accessible to women and girls of all socioeconomic backgrounds.

Learn more and Support

“When we as society begin to value mothers the givers and supporters of life, then we will see social change in ways that matter. “

— Ina May Gaskin

Nafisa Jiddawi

MEET OUR FOUNDER & CEO

MS, FNP-C, WHNP-BC, CNM

WAJAMAMA was founded in August 2019 by Nafisa, a U.S- trained and board certified Family and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, and Certified Nurse Midwife.

Nafisa grew up in Zanzibar in the 1990’s, with parents who were two of only ten medical doctors available. The frustration of witnessing people suffering from preventable illnesses has been the driving force behind her life and career. During her undergraduate studies in the United States, Nafisa volunteered for public health projects in Zanzibar aimed at improving the quality of antenatal care, and reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. She realized how negative birth experiences not only have dire consequences for women’s and children’s health, but also the social, mental, and economic wellbeing of communities. Nafisa was inspired to return home and become a much needed resource in the development of services to improve pregnancy, labor, and birth experiences in Zanzibar.

More About Nafisa

Our Team