Special Campaigns – John Janney Foundation

WAJIR, KENYA December 25, 2025 – Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian nonprofit, recently provided essential medical equipment and specialized training for healthcare workers at Wajir County Referral Hospital in Kenya to strengthen maternal and newborn care. The initiative was implemented in part through a generous grant from the Gates Foundation and in partnership with Every Pregnancy, a global coalition dedicated to saving the lives of mothers and babies.

The project is expected to enhance emergency obstetric and newborn care services, reduce medical delays, and improve the overall quality of care for mothers and newborns. It also supports Wajir County’s ongoing efforts to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates and expand access to life-saving healthcare services.

“We appreciate the donation given to us. This contribution [from Baitulmaal] is not an ordinary gift; it is a sign of love, compassion, and support for our community. It aligns with the vision and mission of this hospital to improve the quality of care we provide,” said Mohammed Omar, Director of Wajir County Referral Hospital. “This support will help strengthen our services and enhance the care we aim to deliver to mothers and newborns.”

According to Ahmed Sherif, Senior Manager of International Programs at Baitulmaal, the project will directly benefit mothers receiving care at Wajir County Referral Hospital, high risk pregnancies, newborns requiring specialized support, and healthcare professionals participating in the training. The initiative will also indirectly benefit communities across Wajir County by strengthening the hospital’s ability to provide timely and quality maternal and newborn healthcare services.

According to the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP), Wajir County is among the 15 counties that account for more than 60% of maternal deaths in Kenya, with an estimated maternal mortality ratio of 1,683 deaths per 100,000 live births. These figures highlight the urgent need for improved maternal and newborn healthcare services in the region.

As part of the initiative, Baitulmaal donated critical medical equipment to the hospital, including a delivery bed, multiple maternity beds, baby cots, a newborn incubator, a suction machine, and an LED inspection light. The charity also conducted a five-day Emergency Obstetric and Newborn care (EmONC) mentorship program for healthcare personnel to strengthen their capacity to manage complications during pregnancy, childbirth, and the newborn period.

In addition to providing essential medical equipment to Wajir County Referral Hospital in Kenya, Baitulmaal has also delivered fresh meat for Udhiyah, Ramadan Food Packages, provided support to orphans, and distributed emergency aid during flash floods. To learn more about or contribute to these efforts, please visit johnjanney.org/.

Baitulmaal is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides life-saving, life-sustaining and life-enriching aid to people in need around the world. With headquarters in Texas, the charity has domestic offices in California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan and New Jersey as well as international offices in Europe, Africa, South Asia and the Middle East.

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DALLAS, TEXAS September 7, 2023 — Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian nonprofit, is proud to announce its partnership with the ‘For Mama’ campaign promoting maternal, newborn and child health alongside a coalition of U.S. and U.K. faith-inspired philanthropies and donors, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

‘For Mama’ is a new social media campaign that aims to raise awareness of the high rates of maternal deaths which impact vulnerable women around the world, along with solutions to prevent them.

“Most of these deaths are entirely preventable with existing tools and access to consistent, quality care throughout pregnancy,” the campaign website reads. “The campaign challenges all of us to act – and take a campaign pledge – ‘for mama’ to ensure that life-saving interventions reach the mothers and babies who need them most.”

UNICEF estimates that nearly 94 percent of maternal deaths occur in low and middle-income countries, while maternal mortality in humanitarian settings is nearly double the world average. (UNFPA) In the U.S., Black women are nearly three times more likely to die during pregnancy than white women. (CDC 2021)

According to Elizabeth Sohail, program development manager at Baitulmaal, the charity has a long history of supporting the health and wellness of women and children in underserved communities around the world.

“Baitulmaal is committed to raising awareness about the struggles women face in accessing quality healthcare, nutrition and other basic necessities that help them and their families thrive,” Sohail said. “We are honored to join this campaign and encourage everyone to take the pledge in support of all the ‘mamas’ in our lives and around the world.”

If you would like to learn more about the campaign or sign the pledge, please visit the website at actformama.org/bi.

Baitulmaal is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides life-saving, life-sustaining and life-enriching aid to people in need around the world. With headquarters in Texas, the charity has domestic offices and representatives in California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan and New Jersey as well as international offices in Europe, Africa, South Asia and the Middle East. Learn more about Baitulmaal at johnjanney.org/.

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