Image source: UNICEF Mali, From home births to health centres, 7 Nov. 2025 https://www.unicef.org/mali/en/stories/home-births-health-centres
At Pharmalys, we believe that empowering mothers with knowledge is one of the most powerful ways to improve child health and build resilient communities. The recent progress unfolding in Bagoundjé, northern Mali, offers a compelling example of how community-driven initiatives can create lasting impact.
In this rural community, “Mamans Lumières” (“Mothers of Light”) like Farimata Abdoulaye are driving remarkable change. As community health volunteers, they guide women toward safer maternal practices, encouraging prenatal consultations, promoting safe deliveries at health centres, and teaching essential family practices that protect mothers and newborns.
For decades, many women in Bagoundjé gave birth at home without medical supervision, contributing to high maternal and infant mortality. Today, thanks to structured awareness sessions and the leadership of volunteer health workers, mothers increasingly choose to deliver in local health centres, bring their children for regular weighing, and seek timely medical care.
Women attending these sessions describe how life changing accurate information can be. From understanding the importance of early pregnancy check-ups to ensuring every child receives a birth certificate, mothers now feel equipped to safeguard their families’ health and future.
These improvements are made possible through the Project to Promote Access to Finance, Entrepreneurship and Employment in Mali (PAFEEM), supported by the Government of Mali, UNICEF, partner NGOs, and the World Bank. By integrating Essential Family Practices into community activities, PAFEEM strengthens both health outcomes and social cohesion.
At Pharmalys, we are inspired by the dedication of women like Farimata, leaders who volunteer tirelessly to uplift their communities. Their work aligns deeply with our mission of a world free of unnecessary suffering due to unmet healthcare needs, by promoting maternal and child well-being through better nutrition, education, and access to health services.
The transformation seen in Bagoundjé demonstrates a simple truth we champion every day: when mothers are empowered, entire communities thrive.
Source:
- UNICEF Mali, From home births to health centres, 7 Nov. 2025 https://www.unicef.org/mali/en/stories/home-births-health-centres
