Member Spotlight: HealthEd Connect

Global Health Council is pleased to introduce you to one of our newest members, HealthEd Connect. Below Chris Davisdon, International Programs Manager, at HealthEd Connect provides an overview of the organization. HealthEd Connect empowers women and children through evidence-based health, education, and advocacy programs. We accomplish this mission in partnership with 174 volunteer community health workers (CHWs), across 60 communities in Zambia, Malawi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nepal. Building on over 30 years of experience, our CHWs are directly involved with the families and special needs in their communities. These dedicated volunteers are equipped with training in basic primary care, nutrition, sanitation, illness prevention, child and maternal health monitoring, and participatory research to address community health and wellbeing. In 2024 alone, they conducted over 12,000 home visits and monitored the growth of more than 147,000 children under five, ensuring early intervention and consistent care. Our volunteer CHWs are more than health educators, they are trusted neighbors and advocates. Their work is woven into the fabric of their communities, addressing urgent needs while promoting long-term wellness and prevention. From prenatal checkups to sanitation education, their impact is both immediate and enduring. Access to education for orphans and vulnerable children was identified as a top priority by the health volunteers and community members through participatory research. In response, HealthEd Connect supports three community schools for K-7 students in Zambia, serving over 1,500 orphans and vulnerable children. Beyond academics, students receive grief support, daily meals, and enrichment activities—creating a holistic environment for learning and healing. When news broke about USAID funding cuts, alarm bells went off for the HealthEd Connect team as we considered the impact these reductions would have in the communities where we serve. Our immediate response included surveying community health workers and nurses to assess on-the-ground impact. The findings were sobering. We found that without the support of international aid, there is a devastating impact on access to life-saving healthcare and medications, with medications and resources that people have come to rely upon no longer available. More broadly, programs supporting education, water, sanitation, food, and nutrition have also been impacted by the withdrawal of USAID. In response, we launched a two-pronged strategy—addressing immediate health needs while amplifying our advocacy efforts. We are increasing our impact locally by providing additional support for emergency health needs, along with increased prevention and education supplies. To strengthen our voice, we joined Global Health Council, engaging in working groups and roundtables to collaborate with like-minded organizations. Through these partnerships, we aim to elevate the conversation around equitable access to health and education and advocate for the resources our communities need. We are excited about where these next steps will take us to increase our voice and our efforts towards empowering women and children.