One Bicycle, One CHW, Safer Motherhood.

One Bicycle, One CHW, Safer Motherhood.

In Bulambila Village, Shinyanga, where approximately 350 households are widely dispersed,
reaching every family with essential health services was once a significant challenge. Felister
Nangi Masele, the only trained Community Health Worker (CHW) in the village under the
Thamini Uzazi Salama Project implemented by Amref Health Africa, often struggled to access
distant households due to limited transportation options.

Prior to receiving support, Felister relied entirely on walking to conduct household visits. This
consumed a considerable amount of time and energy, limiting her ability to reach only about
10–15 households per month. Through the support of Amref Health Africa in Tanzania, in
collaboration with the World Bicycle Relief, Felister received a bicycle in July 2025.

This story reflects outcomes observed within the six-month post-distribution monitoring period
(July–December 2025), during which the bicycle significantly transformed her work. The bicycle
has provided a simple, affordable, and reliable means of transport, enabling her to increase her
reach to more than 30 households per month, including those located in the most remote areas
of the village, with greater efficiency and consistency.

One such household is that of Diana Tigia John, an 18-year-old expectant mother who is currently seven
months pregnant and lives in a hard-to-reach area of the village. Using the bicycle, Felister was able
to reach Diana early in her pregnancy, when she was just three months pregnant, despite the long
distance. At that time, Diana had planned to delay her Antenatal Care (ANC) visits until the seventh
month.

During this early visit, Felister provided timely health education, emphasizing the risks associated with early pregnancy, the importance of initiating ANC early, attending regular clinic visits, and preparing for a health facility delivery. Because Felister was able to access her home more easily and in time, Diana
received this critical information early enough to act on it. Now, approximately four months after that initial visit, Diana is seven months pregnant and has been consistently attending ANC services.

Diana expressed her appreciation “My home is far, but Felister managed to reach me and guide me. Now I attend clinic regularly and I am preparing for hospital delivery.”

This story highlights how bicycle support has simplified the work of Community Health Workers, reducing time, cost, and effort while expanding their reach. As a result, more women in hard-to-reach areas are receiving timely health education and care ultimately improving maternal and newborn health outcomes.