Angela and her daughter.

There is a growing awareness among women around the world about the importance of adequate maternal healthcare and how best to ensure the well-being of themselves and their infants. Given a choice, many women from rural areas in Tanzania opt to travel to urban areas to deliver their children, as rural areas often struggle with limited access to quality healthcare. This scarcity can significantly impact the quality of maternal healthcare in rural areas and puts both the mother and child at risk.

This is the unconventional story of a mother who traveled from Dar es Salaam, the largest city and financial hub of Tanzania, to Karatu in rural Tanzania to deliver her child at FAME, going against the long-held belief that specialized medical personnel and expertise are only available in the cities. 

Angela* is 22 years old and lives with her husband in a bustling neighborhood in Dar es Salaam, 530 miles from FAME. She grew up in Karatu before her family moved to Dar es Salaam a few years ago; however, her mother-in-law lives in Karatu and she visits her often. She just gave birth to her first child!

“When I was 12, I was very sick and brought to FAME. I remember receiving good care that even impressed my parents, who were trying to raise money to take me to a hospital in Arusha. That experience remained with me. When my family moved to Dar es Salaam shortly after, I kept in touch with my friends, who always mentioned FAME and how it’s helping them and saving them from traveling long distances to seek quality healthcare. During one of my visits to see my mother-in-law, I was in my early weeks of pregnancy. I visited FAME and talked to them about childbirth at FAME, the support I would receive during and after delivery and how they could deal with emergencies. I was very impressed with what I learned and saw and after this visit, I decided to deliver at FAME. It helped that my mother-in-law was very happy with my decision and welcomed it!”

— Angela

However, Angela, a hairdresser in Dar es Salaam, needed to seek permission from work to travel. Legally she is entitled to three months of maternity leave, but since she was coming to Karatu, she wanted to be here for six months to ensure the baby was healthy and strong before returning to work. 

“My boss was confused when I asked for a long maternity leave. He asked why I would go from Dar es Salaam to give birth in the village. I told him my heart was set on Karatu and I was ready to resign if that was the only way I could go. Seeing that he couldn’t change my mind, he agreed and has been supportive!”

— Angela

Her biggest challenge? Telling her mother, who also lives in Dar es Salaam, that she would give birth to her first grandchild miles away. 

“My mother was very sad. She was looking forward to supporting me through labor with my first child. I think she also didn’t like that my mother-in-law got to experience this with me. However, I made her understand that without the very best maternal health, her support, as much as it was valued, would not help me. In the end, she understood and gave me her blessings.”

— Angela

Angela also had to let the hospital where she went for prenatal care know she would not be giving birth there. 

“I did all my prenatal classes in Dar es Salaam but told the hospital the truth from the beginning, that despite my prenatal classes there, I would deliver my baby in Karatu. I don’t think they believed me! They kept saying nobody leaves a big town to deliver a baby in the village.”

— Angela

Angela came to FAME for her last prenatal check-up just before delivery. She was happy to have been received well and that FAME did not give her a hard time for not doing all her prenatal visits here. Angela delivered a healthy baby girl and said the service was better than expected.

“The nurses at FAME have been very respectful and kind to me, which was important as I didn’t want anyone to mistreat me when birthing. Some friends have had nurses shouting at and demeaning them during childbirth and I was terrified of this happening to me. So my biggest advantage of birthing at FAME has been the support and understanding I have received from the staff and the doctors.”

— Angela

“I am very happy to be a mama. It’s a good feeling. I have a name for my daughter that I love, but I haven’t shared or discussed it with my husband yet. I’m waiting for him to meet the baby and then hopefully, he will be too distracted to oppose the name! Until then, I’m keeping it a secret.”

— Angela

FAME continues to bridge the gap in maternal healthcare services between rural and urban areas, ensuring that all women have equitable access to quality healthcare regardless of where they come from. According to Angela, the presence of skilled healthcare providers at FAME, trained in handling various complications during childbirth, made FAME her preferred choice for delivery. Being a well-equipped medical facility with advanced diagnostic tools, modern operation theaters and a well-equipped special care nursery (SCN) convinced her that FAME had the resources to manage and address potential complications that might arise during childbirth.

*The patient's name has been changed to protect her privacy and permission was secured to share her story. The quotes have been translated from Swahili to English.

Kosen and his mother.

Kosen* is one and a half years old. He is basking in the sun on the FAME grounds with his mother. Next to them are two other women. Kosen’s mother looks excited as she chats to them in her tribal language. They seem like old friends despite having just met at FAME. Kosen has been discharged to go home from the inpatient ward after a week of admission. Together with his mother, they are waiting for his father to take them home. 

Kosen had been sick for a month before his mother decided to bring him to FAME. His neck had a big swelling, starting as a little pimple and growing.

“When Kosen got sick, we thought the swelling would go down. But it didn’t; instead, it got bigger and more painful to the touch. My husband wanted to take him to the local clinic close to where we live, where we take the children all the time for small injuries, but I refused. I knew of a child with a similar illness to Kosen’s who lost his life at that clinic, so I knew potential risks were involved. I told my husband we must seek an alternative hospital.”

— Kosen's mom

Kosen’s mother already had another hospital in mind, FAME. Despite never having visited, she had heard good things and was confident that FAME could help. 

“My sister-in-law is the one who told me about FAME. She said she had a huge swelling in her stomach, which was surgically removed a few years ago at FAME and she went back to full health. She said she knew many people who still come here and they say it just gets better as the years go by. So I ran to my husband and pleaded with him. He couldn’t argue with what his big sister had said, so he brought us to FAME!”

— Kosen's Mom

When Kosen and his parents arrived at FAME, the doctors ran tests and admitted him to the inpatient ward. 

“He was crying a lot when we got here. I can always make him laugh, but this time I couldn’t! The doctors reassured me that they would do everything possible to help him.”

— Kosen's Mom

Luckily, Kosen’s diagnosis did not require surgery. According to his mother, he is well enough to go home after a week of medications and “many injections”. 

“ I am thankful that Kosen is okay. I ask FAME management and the doctors to continue the same way. You are helping many of us who would otherwise have nowhere else to go. I believe God brought FAME to us because he knew we needed it! I am FAME’s ambassador from today! More people need to know about this hospital, its good service and the fact that they are good with adults and children too! They have been very gentle with Kosen.”

— Kosen's Mom

Why is Kosen’s mother declaring herself “a FAME Ambassador”?

“We don’t live close to FAME. Our home is quite far. We had to take three modes of transport to get here [bus, private car and bodaboda]. Still, despite the challenges involved, I had to prioritize quality healthcare for my son over convenience, as I could see that his condition was serious and out of the ordinary. I want to tell everyone in my village that despite the proximity of our local clinic, we should look for other hospitals, especially for complex cases, to ensure our children get the best care.”

— Kosen's Mom

Kosen’s mother is happy to have met other mothers at FAME from her tribe, who share her experience of traveling long distances to access quality healthcare. They have offered each other support and distracted themselves from their children's illnesses by telling each other stories. 

“I am inspired to see mothers here at FAME who have come even farther than I have in search of quality healthcare for their children. They have overcome many challenges to get here, but it’s all worth it!”

— Kosen's Mom

*The patient's name has been changed to protect their privacy and permission was secured to share their story. The quotes have been translated from Maasai to English.

New first-time mom, Zuri*, cannot hide her joy at FAME's Maternity Ward. She had to undergo an emergency C-section to save her life and child.

21-year-old Zuri* is cradling her firstborn child at FAME’s maternity ward. Zuri first came to FAME after she got married and immediately fell pregnant. 

“My mother, grandmother and aunties came together to advise me once they heard I was pregnant. They said many things, but what stood out was their recommendation that I come to FAME for my prenatal classes and delivery. They claimed that FAME was a safe place for childbirth and had good doctors and equipment that enabled them to handle emergency pregnancy complications. So I started my prenatal classes at FAME, which provided me with information, skills and support to prepare for the birth of my baby. I enjoyed the classes very much!”

— Zuri

At 39 weeks of pregnancy, Zuri went into labor and came to FAME to deliver.

“I am young and my pregnancy journey was very easy, so I was surprised when the doctors informed me that I would have to undergo an emergency C-section due to fetal distress and my baby not getting enough oxygen. I was in shock!”

— Zuri

FAME's OR Supervisor, Moses Kikonya (right), together with Dr. Joselina Mumbee (middle) and OB/GYN Volunteer from Creighton University, Alana Augur (left), safely deliver Zuri's son. 

Zuri’s Son.

Zuri was wheeled into surgery, the fate of her life and her baby’s in the hands of the FAME medical team. 

“I got increasingly scared as they wheeled me into the theater. I didn’t say anything, but the nurses could see how distressed and sad I was. They told me that a C-section didn’t compromise my baby’s chance to be healthy. Hearing my baby cry when they pulled him out was the most reassuring noise ever!”

— Zuri

Zuri is doing well after her C-section and is enjoying time with her new baby boy. 

“If I had delivered at home, one or both of us could have died. I’m so grateful for all the skilled FAME staff who looked after my child and me and ensured our safety. This being my first pregnancy, they held my hand throughout the process. The service at FAME has been good and everyone has been so kind. I cannot say thank you enough. You are the reason I am a mother! Thank You!”

— Zuri

Despite the unexpected events, Zuri is filled with an overwhelming sense of joy and relief. 

“I would advise every pregnant woman to come to FAME. I believed everything would be fine with my delivery, but at the last minute, everything changed and I was very lucky to have good doctors and nurses to help me. We might have to look a little harder in our area to find a good hospital, but finding a good hospital like FAME to support you during pregnancy and delivery can save your baby’s life and your own!”

— Zuri

*The patient's name has been changed to protect her privacy and permission was secured to share her story. The quotes have been translated from Swahili to English.

It's International Nurses Day! FAME celebrates its nurses, who are at the forefront of patient-centered care. Their specialized knowledge, compassion and unwavering commitment to patient care greatly impact the lives of those we serve in rural Tanzania.

We spoke to seven nurses from different departments at FAME: Maternity Ward, Surgical Team, Inpatient Ward, Outpatient Clinic (OPD) and Reproductive and Child Health Clinic (RCH). They told us what inspired them to become nurses and what they enjoy most about being a nurse and they offered their advice to anyone considering pursuing nursing as a career. 

NURU SHABAN ALUTE - MATERNITY NURSE

“I was born premature, and my mother would tell me all these stories about how the nurses helped and cared for me until I was strong enough to go home. This spiked my interest in nursing as I wondered who nurses are. When I was 16 years old, I had surgery on my hand. I remember being very nervous and scared, but the care and comfort from the nurses solidified my dream of becoming a nurse. What I enjoy most about being a nurse is the opportunity to help and comfort my patients in their time of extreme need. When I see a woman give birth safely and the baby is healthy, that is my ultimate happiness. The most rewarding part of nursing is meeting new people and always learning. I would advise the new nurses that this career touches people's lives directly and they should hold that sacred. Also, we can never fix all our patient's problems, but we can promise they won't have to face them alone.”

KITANGILE MASHEYO- RCH NURSE

“I became interested in nursing from my auntie and grandmother, both nurses. I have been a nurse for seven years and all seven have been at FAME. The best part of my job is caring for patients and giving them hope. It is most rewarding for me to serve. Nursing is everywhere in medicine! I would advise new nurses to love their work and be proud of being a nurse; it is an important job. I did marry a nurse, but that was not because of my love for nursing! I am especially proud that my colleagues chose me as the RCH Nurse of the Year 2023. This award shows that my work is recognized and celebrated.”

ANCILA DIDAS KIMARIO- Outpatient Clinic (OPD) Nurse

“I was inspired to join nursing after I got sick as a child and was taken to hospital, and I loved the hospital! The surroundings, the people who worked there, how busy they all looked, and of course, the nurses in their beautiful uniforms! My favorite part of nursing is serving patients until they get better and say they are not sick anymore! I am most proud that I am the only medical person in my family, so when anyone gets sick, I know how to help them or where to direct them to the right care. I advise new nurses to love nursing from the heart; don't do it because someone else convinced you to. Sometimes the work is challenging and if you are not in it for a genuine reason, you may be unable to handle it. Always treat your patients as family and don't discriminate against them. Being a nurse at FAME has helped me advance and update my knowledge because of the ongoing education classes offered, and I would advise all nurses to keep learning! Medicine is always changing, and keeping up with the latest developments is important to provide our patients with the best possible care.” 

CHRISTOPHER MTISO - SURGICAL WARD NURSE

“I love to serve people and ensure their well-being, so nursing was my natural career choice. 

I love nursing because I am the ambassador of the patient. As a nurse, I get limitless time with patients, unlike doctors, who can only spend limited time with the patient. I receive patients and help them with all their needs, especially where they cannot help themselves and I love this! I believe nursing changes lives and being a nurse at FAME adds to my joy. Here, I have all the resources to help my patients. I advise new nurses to remember that nursing is a calling with many blessings. Do to your patients what you would like done to you.”

AMERIA J BENEDICT - INPATIENT WARD NURSE

“I became a nurse after I was inspired by my now-retired aunt, who was a nurse. My favorite thing about nursing is helping the needy and healing the sick. It's been seven years since I first became a nurse, and my love and dedication to all my patients remains the same and I continue to find my work very rewarding.”

ABDALLAH S ABDALLAH - THEATER NURSE

“I am a theater nurse interested in the operating room and procedures. I chose to become a nurse because I wanted to help people, especially patients who are very sick and need surgery. I advise new nurses that nursing is a privilege and should be taken seriously.”

SEHEWA MGANGA - Registered Nurse/Ophthalmic Assistant/ Head Nurse Anesthetist

“I have been a qualified nurse for 30 years; for 10 of those, I have worked at FAME. I became a nurse because I wanted to be part of saving the lives of critically ill patients. I am most proud of being a nurse when I nurse someone sick back to health. Nursing is rewarding, especially when the care I give my patient gets positive results and brings back someone's life and hope. I advise new nurses to be ready to accept challenges and adjust, work hard, and learn from others.”

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Today, FAME has a team of 70 nurses! Donate now to support our nursing team! Include the name and a message to one of our incredible FAME nurses in the dedication of your donation and we will share it with them.

Nurse Dainess Mangowi.

In honor of International Nurses Day on May 12, FAME celebrates one of its remarkable nurses, Dainess Mangowi, who has dedicated her life to caring for others. As she approaches her 70th birthday later this year, Dainess finds herself contemplating retirement and is ready to bid farewell to FAME, where she has worked for six years.  

Dainess has spent over four decades as a nurse, starting her journey as a young woman studying nursing in Mwanza, northern Tanzania. Her passion for nursing started when she witnessed the compassion of a nurse who cared for her uncle's triplets in 1969. Inspired by this act of kindness, she embarked on a lifelong mission to make a difference in the lives of those who needed it most.

“My uncle got triplets that were barely 2 lbs each! I didn’t think they would survive, but the nurses cared for them until they were big enough to go home. The compassionate nature of the nurses and their smart uniforms is what ignited my passion for nursing. However, my father had other plans for me; he wanted me to be a teacher.”

— Nurse Dainess

Nurse Dainess was adamant, defied her father- unheard of in those days- and went to nursing school. She was overlooked for a scholarship she believed she was the most qualified for, but that did not stop her. She continued to persist and after four years of nursing school, in 1977, Dainess got her first job.

“My first job was at a local hospital, which paid me 575 Tshs ($0.20) before tax! I didn’t mind the pay; I was just happy to be doing my dream job and taking care of patients. When I got a man who wanted to marry me, I moved to Moshi in North Eastern Tanzania to get married. I started working for a hospital there that paid much more!”

— Nurse Dainess

Nurse Dainess poses with FAME’s Head Nurse, Kizito.

“Dainess is a wonderful nurse. She is a great ambassador for the nursing profession! Seeing her retiring is a big loss for the FAME nursing department.”

-Kizito

When she turned 60, Nurse Dainess retired. She was ready to rest after a long career. However, her retirement wasn't a long one.

“During my retirement, I started caring for my neighbor who had HIV and later developed AIDS, as her family ostracized her. This renewed my passion for caring for sick people and I decided to go back to work. Sitting at home wasn’t very exciting anymore. So I started looking for nursing jobs.”

— Nurse Dainess

In 2017, FAME advertised two nurse positions. Nurse Dainess applied but wasn't sure anyone would give an over-60-year-old nurse a chance. She was called for an interview, hired and put to work in FAME’s inpatient ward. She was 64 years old. 

FAME’s Head Doctor, Gabriel Kissima, Presents Dainess with her ‘Winner of the Outpatient (OPD) and Emergency Department Nurse of the Year Award 2022’.

Nurse Dainess is ecstatic about her award!

“I was so happy when FAME hired me. I quickly realized FAME was a much better workplace than anywhere I had worked. For instance, FAME was very accommodating and honored my request not to work night shifts as I have back problems from years of lifting heavy patients; therefore, I needed to rest in the evenings.”

— Nurse Dainess

Nurse Dainess worked in the inpatient ward for six months and then was moved to the outpatient clinic (OPD), where she is still working today. Her love for nursing extends beyond administering medications and treating wounds. She genuinely cares for every patient who crosses FAME, treating them with unwavering compassion and understanding.

“It has been a joy working at FAME. I have seen the expansion that has taken place over the years. When I started, the radiology department was being built. Now it’s one of the best in northern Tanzania and prevents a lot of referrals by offering CT scans, X-rays and ultrasounds. FAME is always looking to meet the local community’s healthcare needs and I’m proud to have been part of this work.”

— Nurse Dainess

Nurse Dianess also mentions that FAME management appreciates the employees' work and is very supportive of them, providing good salaries and giving them the freedom to work without micromanaging. However, she believes it's time to hang up her boots. 

“This time, when I retire, I’m not coming back! I am serious about resting! We have a good nursing team at FAME and I’m sure they will continue to provide the same quality of care for which FAME is known. I am grateful to end my career at FAME; these past six years have been the best of my long career!”

— Nurse Dianess

Early this month, during FAME's labor day celebrations, Nurse Dainess was selected as a winner of the Outpatient (OPD) and Emergency Department Nurse of the Year Award 2022. This bittersweet occasion of winning an award just before her retirement demonstrates the immeasurable loss her retirement represents to FAME. 

FAME will miss Nurse Dainess’s gentle touch, soothing voice and radiant smile that comforted even the most distressed patients. FAME expresses profound gratitude for her tireless dedication and wishes her all the best in her retirement.