Bringing Vaccines and Hope to Her Community

Bringing Vaccines and Hope to Her Community

In Mfenesini, Zanzibar, Rukia Haji Faki is known not only as a
Community Health Worker (CHW) but also as a trusted voice for health
and protection. Every day, she moves door to door, ensuring families
understand the importance of vaccination and that no child, mother, or
student misses out.

“My main work is to mobilize my community and work hand in hand
with health providers and doctors from the health center,” Rukia
explains. “Together, we provide door-to-door and mobile outreach
vaccination services, making sure everyone receives the vaccines they
need from routine childhood immunizations to Tetanus vaccines for
women.”

Through these outreach programs, she has seen remarkable progress.
“People are now more aware and excited about getting vaccinated,”
she says proudly. “Mothers bring their children for immunization,
students get their adolescent vaccines, and pregnant women complete
their TT doses. The community now understands that vaccines protect
us from serious diseases.”

Rukia also uses her role to dispel myths and misconceptions around
vaccination. “Some people used to fear vaccines,” she says, “but I
teach them that immunization is safe and essential. Vaccines prevent
diseases like polio and measles, helping our children grow healthy and
strong.” For Rukia, bringing health services closer to her neighbors has
been deeply rewarding.

“We come directly to their homes so they can access vaccines easily,
without worrying about transport or hospital queues,” she adds. “It’s
a joy to see families embracing these services and feeling safer.”

Thanks to the Mastercard Foundation’s support through the SLL Project,
dedicated community health workers like Rukia are expanding access to
immunization services, increasing vaccine confidence, and building a
healthier future for all in Zanzibar.