A long-time strategic partner of the Malawi Ministry of Health
GAIA aligns its work with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Malawi Ministry of Health and Population’s strategic priorities. We work with local communities, governments and implementation partners to move towards Universal Health Coverage of quality, equitable, and affordable healthcare to improve the population’s health status. Over the next five years, we will leverage our credibility, connections, and capacity to accelerate our programmatic impact.
see our Strategic plan20 years of innovation,
and counting
Throughout our 20-year history, GAIA has decreased deaths due to preventable and treatable conditions and improved lives in remote, rural communities. Two million+ mobile clinic visits and targeted community outreach efforts resulted in a decrease in HIV and Malaria incidence and increased use of available health care services.
Our storyimpact
A look at the numbers
577
k+
Malaria cases treated
121
k
HIV tests conducted, with a decrease in positive results from 23% (2008) to 2% (2023)
97
k+
Pneumonia cases treated, a key driver of under 5 mortality
140
k+
Sexual and reproductive health consultations, enabling safe birth spacing and improving maternal, neonatal, and women’s health
532
Nursing graduates deployed to the far corners of Malawi and Liberia; now 10% of RNs in Malawi's public health sector
Our Organization
Get to Know Us
Our mission
GAIA strengthens healthcare in underserved African communities.
Our vision
A world where health outcomes are not determined by who you are or where you live.
Guiding Principles
We believe that everyone deserves access to quality healthcare. We are committed to creating access now and developing locally led solutions for the long-term.
Health Equity
All people, regardless of circumstances, deserve access to quality care.
Empathetic Care
Our work is human centered, focusing on the client, not merely preventing or treating the illness. Our staff and frontline health workers serve clients with complex healthcare needs. Our programs are specifically designed to be inclusive and to destigmatize care, meeting clients where they are, literally and figuratively.
Local Leadership
GAIA believes local leaders with on-the-ground experience are best placed to design and implement our evidence-based programs. GAIA Malawi’s team is 100% Malawian.
Community-Driven
Program effectiveness and sustainability require the direct involvement of those GAIA serves in both planning and program implementation. Through years of delivering on program promises and addressing needs identified by the community, GAIA has earned the trust of the local residents and their leaders.
Impact-Driven
Programs must be evidenced-based, accountable, and provable. We rigorously test our initiatives and promote the replication of successful models, to ensure the broadest possible impact.
Integrity and Transparency
GAIA is accountable to its clients and partners and delivers on its promise to use resources efficiently.
Sustainable, Adaptable Solutions
GAIA provides healthcare that will meet the evolving needs of the population and be sustained for the long term. Our community partners keep a pulse on what is working well, and what is not, so we can adapt quickly to the changing health landscape and context in which we work.
Collective Impact
No organization can reach ambitious goals alone. GAIA harnesses the power of partnerships with local and national governments, local and international non-governmental organizations, and Malawi and US based institutions to solve the greatest health problems in the areas in which we work.
Leadership
see all staff and boardGAIA Malawi is an independent, local non-governmental organization, working to improve access to healthcare via nurse training programs and mobile health clinics in remote, rural areas. The GAIA Malawi staff is 100% local/Malawian, 64% female, and 27% nurses. GAIA Malawi is supported by GAIA U.S. with funding and technical support.
Joyce Jere
Country Director
Nelson Khozomba
Programs Manager
Adalireni Manyungwa Nkhata
Finance and Administration Manager
Elias Kaunde
Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
Gladys Lameck
Senior Accountant
Innocent Sajiwa
Projects Coordinator
Hope Bowa
Logistics Officer
Isaac Maudzu
Human Resource Officer
Lucy Munthali
APA Program Manager
Chimwemwe Mwangonde
Projects Officer Nursing
Janice Padambo
Pharmacy Nurse / Supply Chain
Mphatso Phiri
Clinical Officer
Annie Sekani
District Case Management Officer
James Seleman
Clinical Officer
Todd Schafer
Executive Director
Cristin Klein
Director of Development & Communications
Molly Brostrom, MPP
Program & Grants Manager
Alina Aslanian, MPA
Program & Grants Manager
Kelsey Fisher, MPA
Program & Grants Manager
Doug Bozick
Director of Finance
Shruthi Reddy
Development & Communications Officer
Hannah Graykowski