In honor of International Day of the Midwife and International Nurses Day earlier this month, GAIA joins the global community in thanking nurses and midwives everywhere for their hard work in keeping our communities healthy. Here are the stories of just a few of the incredible GAIA Nursing Scholar Program alumni:

Alaizi Alice Nkhoma, a Nursing Scholar Graduate, is the Chief Nursing Officer and Assistant Director of Nursing Services at the Ministry of Health, focusing on policy formulation and developing standards for nursing and midwifery service provision. She serves as a mentor for other nurses and dedicates her time to empowering women-headed households. Alaizi has been working as a nurse for over 28 years!

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Charity Malizani, a Nursing Scholar Graduate and Steward Fellow, works as a Nursing Officer at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, where she  cares for patients, builds capacity  and implements team strengthening activities to ensure quality patient care. Charity was in the first Nursing Scholar cohort under GAIA Country Director Joyce Jere’s leadership and thinks of Joyce as her mother!

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Lucy Chimera, a Nursing Scholar Graduate, works as a District Technical Advisor in Ntcheu, focusing on reproductive health system strengthening. Lucy is passionate about girls’ and women’s health and empowerment – in her spare time, she established an initiative educating women and girls on menstrual hygiene and reproductive health issues. Lucy also  mobilized her fellow Nursing Scholar alumni to launch the GAIA Nursing Scholar Alumni Fund (GASAF) - a fund whereby Scholar alumni donate their own money to help other disadvantaged nursing students.

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Mirriam Makuta Kanyemba, a Nursing Scholar Graduate, serves as a Senior Nursing Officer at Mlambe Mission Hospital in Blantyre heading the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department and Female Medical Ward. As the nurse in-charge, Mirriam provides direct patient care, supervises other nurses, ensures resource availability and advocates for patients and staff members.

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Tiwonge Madula Salaka is a Steward Fellow working as a Nurse Midwife Technician at Mlambe Mission Hospital in Blantyre District, specializing in maternal and child health. Tiwonge conducts safe deliveries, supports community health, and provides outpatient and inpatient care for her clients. She believes that it is especially important to use her voice to empower young girls and advocate for those who are voiceless.

This month and always, GAIA salutes our amazing nurses and midwives! If you'd like to learn more about GAIA's Nursing Scholar Program, click here.