HealthEd Connect

10/05/2026

Behind every child who learns to read, solve a math problem, or confidently share a new idea is a teacher who made that moment possible.

Across HealthEd Connect programs in Zambia, DRC and Malawi, dedicated educators nurture curiosity, strengthen literacy and math skills, build confidence, and create welcoming spaces where children feel cared for and nurtured. Their patient instruction and encouragement open doors, strengthen communities, and inspire hope for the future.

To every teacher connected with HealthEd Connect: thank you for believing in every child. On World Teachers’ Day—and every day—we celebrate you!

09/08/2026

Today, Sept. 8, is International Literacy Day! HealthEd Connect uplifts the importance of literacy every day, recognizing that women and children have better health outcomes when they have access to education.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, and Zambia, our Community Health Volunteers (CHV) are bridging the gap in early childhood education with preschool programs, especially for orphans and vulnerable children. Children happily come to school to learn and play with friends, and their caregivers are grateful for the development they are seeing in their children.

“Kafwa [CHV] has done a great job by bringing the school closer to us. Because of this, education has now reached our children’s minds. Even those learners who were unable to read and write before can now read, write, count, colour, and identify many things. We thank God for this progress, and we are very grateful for your support.”
-Parents and Teachers group, Mulundu Community School of Peace, Zambia

With your support, HealthEd Connect equips Community Health Volunteers and community schools with training and resources to ensure literacy is accessible to all.

Please join us as we go Back to School, Forward with Literacy!
Donate today:
http://weblink.donorperfect.com/b2s

[image caption: Teachers reading to the preschool students - Mulundu Community School of Peace]

09/07/2026

Back to School, Forward with Literacy!
A new school year comes with the promise of new lessons, new growth, and new possibilities.

HealthEd Connect was established on a simple yet powerful truth that empowering women with health education is a powerful change agent. Women, children, and families thrive when access to health and education becomes available.

This week, on Sept. 8, we celebrate International Literacy Day (UNESCO). Literacy is recognized as a range of skills including the ability to read, write, speak, listen, and think to make sense of the world around us. Literacy opens the door to better health and brighter futures.

With your support, HealthEd Connect equips Community Health Volunteers (CHV) and community schools with training and resources to ensure literacy is accessible to all.

Please donate today to support community-led health and education, empowering women and children: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/b2s

[image caption: Students are all smiles in the grade 3 classroom at Kasompe Community School of Peace, Zambia]

08/28/2026

Many have reached out with concern for our partners in Nepal. Just a few days ago, a glacier suddenly collapsed in the mountains of the Nepal-China boarder, causing a devastating flash flood that crashed through the river valley in Nepal with immense force, hitting communities along the way. Thousands are missing as rescue and recovery efforts are underway.

We have been in contact with our HealthEd Connect Nepal Coordinator, Pinkey, who has been in touch with our volunteers. We can confirm that everyone on our team is safe. We do not have volunteers or programs in the areas hardest hit. Although, it is our understanding that Rai village (pictured), where we have volunteers and programs, did experience damage to some homes and workshops, though we are not aware of the full extent at this point.

HealthEd Connect has a history of work in another village that we have heard was badly impacted by the flooding. We are trying to learn more, as we are connecting with our contacts on the ground.

As you can imagine, everyone in Nepal is touched by this tragedy. Our friends have family members in villages and cities in the flood path, and they are waiting and hoping to hear if they are safe.

We wanted to update you about our HealthEd Connect family in Nepal to let you know that we are in contact with our colleagues and ready to provide support if needs are identified and if we can ensure that supplies can reach the areas where we have contacts to distribute them.

Thank you for your care and compassion as we stand with all those impacted.

[image caption: view from one of our volunteers' homes in Rai village looking out at the river valley below]

08/06/2026

Thirty-two preschool children arrived at the Kikungu Center preschool’s first end-of-year celebration dressed in colorful new outfits, each one sewn by 22-year-old Immacule Banza.
Immacule was one of the first participants in the CSS program in Lubumbashi, DRC. After receiving support, encouragement and confidence through the program, she went on to learn sewing skills. She is using those skills not only to support herself, but also to serve others.
By volunteering to create celebration outfits for all 32 children, Immacule brought joy, dignity, and confidence to a new generation.
At HealthEd Connect, we know that meaningful change does not stop with one person. It spreads through families, communities, and generations. That's the power of sustained support: when one life is transformed, it creates opportunities and hope that can uplift many others for years to come.❤️
To read more visit our blog at: www.healtheconnect.org/blog

07/20/2026

🌟 Partnerships Powering Progress at Mapalo 🌟
Exciting things are happening at Mapalo Young Peace Makers Community School! Through the power of partnership and community collaboration, learners are gaining greater access to educational and digital opportunities than ever before.
✅ The school has proudly maintained a 100% Grade 7 examination pass rate.
✅ They are celebrating a new partnership with Smart Zambia, which has installed free high-speed Wi-Fi to enhance ICT lessons, research, and digital learning opportunities.
✅ They are grateful for the Mapalo Community Library for generously donating five laptops, helping more learners build essential technology skills.

These achievements remind us that when communities, organizations, and schools work together, we can create brighter futures for every child.

To read more, check out the blog post written by the Zambia Programs Coordinator, Emmanuel Mumba: www.healthedconnect.org/blog

06/29/2026

06/29/2026

There is something powerful about bringing people together with a shared purpose.

Our community health volunteer team leaders from Kasompe and Luapula in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo gathered to share program updates, discuss challenges, celebrate successes, and strengthen one another as they continue serving their communities.

We are continually inspired by the dedication of these volunteers, who faithfully improve the health and well-being of women, children, and families. Together, they are building healthier communities, strengthening local leadership, and bringing hope and healing where it is needed most.

06/20/2026

Zamtan is abuzz with development!

The Kafwa community health volunteer team has grown, and so has the school. The Skills Center and Kafwa Hall are beautiful new facilities ready to be equipped for programming in cooking and technology studies. A new ablution block (toilet facilities) is under construction, while pavers and fresh paint provide the finishing touches that make the campus sparkle. The community is feeling happy and proud—and so are the Kafwa!

The Kafwa are the reason a community school was established here. Years ago, they identified a large number of orphans and vulnerable children who were not attending school because their families could not afford fees and supplies. Starting small, they took action. Today, the school has grown alongside the happy, thriving children who learn here every day.

The Kafwa continue to support students by preparing meals, leading an orphans support group, and facilitating the Girls Achievement Program. They also provide dignified healthcare to community members. During our visit, they proudly showed us a large garden they have cultivated to provide nutritious food for children and home-based care clients, while generating income through produce sales to sustain their work.

This is what community-led development looks like. When local leaders identify challenges, mobilize their neighbors, and commit to long-term solutions, transformation happens. Children gain access to education. Families receive healthcare and support. Communities build assets that create opportunity for generations to come.

What began with a small group of volunteers determined to help vulnerable children has grown into a thriving hub of education, health, and hope. The impact extends far beyond buildings—it is visible in the confidence of students, the dedication of volunteers, and the pride of a community creating a brighter future together.

06/05/2026

As news of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to spread, some of you may be wondering about how it is affecting our partner sites in the DRC. Here is a brief update. To read more, go to www.healthedconnect.org/blog.