Outreach - 100 Women with Disabled Children

Over the past month, the Outreach – 100 Women with Disabled Children project reached a significant milestone as 13 Strong Mamas graduated from the training phase and stepped into their new roles as community outreach workers. This transition marks a shift from learning and personal recovery to leadership, service, and peer support within their own communities.

These newly graduated outreach workers are currently preparing to begin engagement in their local hospitals, where they will support mothers of children with disabilities who are often navigating diagnosis, stigma, and limited access to information. Their preparation has focused on building confidence, ethical engagement, and practical communication skills to ensure outreach is respectful, culturally appropriate, and safe for both the mothers receiving support and those providing it. A key strength of this phase has been peer mentoring.

Three graduates from previous Strong Mamas cohorts are actively mentoring the new outreach group, sharing lived experience and guidance on how to approach vulnerable community members with sensitivity, build trust, and offer meaningful support without causing harm. This peer-led model reinforces leadership, strengthens community ownership, and ensures knowledge is passed on sustainably.

Alongside outreach preparation, the women are working together to set group goals related to economic empowerment. They are developing small business ideas suited to their local contexts, defining shared responsibilities, and building the confidence and planning skills needed to launch income-generating activities. This dual focus on outreach and livelihoods reflects Mama Respond’s holistic approach, recognising that financial stability plays a critical role in long-term wellbeing and in women's ability to support others.

The impact of this period has been significant, with 13 women transitioning into leadership roles, strong mentoring relationships established, and increased readiness for hospital-based outreach. Foundations have also been laid for small-business initiatives that will strengthen the resilience and independence of women and their families.

In the coming months, the outreach workers will begin structured engagement in local hospitals, supported by ongoing mentoring and supervision. We will also continue to support the women as they refine and launch their small businesses, ensuring that empowerment, community support, and sustainability grow together. Thank you to our GlobalGiving supporters for making this progress possible. Your support is helping mothers of children with disabilities move from isolation to leadership, and from receiving support to becoming agents of change in their communities.

Dear Friends of Mama Respond,

Mama Respond is proud to announce the successful completion of our second Strong Mamas Training Program - an 18-week initiative designed to empower mothers of children with special needs through education, peer support, and practical skills in mental health and maternal wellbeing.

This term, 23 women participated in the training, engaging deeply in topics such as:

• Mental health literacy: understanding stress, trauma, and emotional wellbeing
• Maternal and child healthcare: preventive care, immunisation awareness, and navigating local health services
• Disability awareness: promoting inclusion and understanding different types of disability
• Financial literacy: budgeting, saving, and exploring income-generating ideas
• Leadership and advocacy: developing the confidence to lead and influence positive chang

Throughout the program, participants reported that the training was both informative and transformative. Many mothers described it as the first time they’ve had a safe space to talk openly about their mental health and connect with others who share similar experiences.

The impact of the program is already visible in the community. Participants are initiating conversations about disability, maternal wellbeing, and stigma within their families and neighbourhoods, creating a powerful ripple effect of awareness and inclusion.

Upon completing the training, 14 women have now transitioned into the outreach phase of the program. In this next stage, they will receive continued mentorship and support from the Mama Respond team as they begin to apply their learning in real-world settings. As part of their outreach journey, the group has identified a strong interest in learning beadmaking - a creative and culturally meaningful skill that can be developed into small businesses. This new focus will help participants build sustainable sources of income and strengthen their economic independence, while reinforcing the empowerment and confidence gained during training. Mama Respond remains committed to walking alongside these courageous women as they move from learning to leading,building healthier families, stronger communities, and brighter futures.

Thank you to all our supporters and partners who make this work possible. Together, we are transforming lives and creating lasting impact.

Erin Hegarty