The Aga Khan University's School of Nursing and Midwifery, East Africa (SONAM, EA) hosted M-SMILE Connect Day, marking four weeks of community engagement with expectant mothers focused on prenatal and postnatal care education. The event brought together community members in Kigamboni, Dar es Salaam, to appreciate the collaborative learning and support developed between families and health care students.
Over the past month, nursing and midwifery students have been working closely with pregnant women and new mothers, providing education on maternal health, safe pregnancy practices, newborn care, and the importance of regular health check-ups.
The initiative was led by the Bachelor of Science in Midwifery (Post RM-BScM) Class of 2026, with support from Bachelor of Science in Nursing students. Through interactive sessions, health talks, and community discussions, the students helped create a supportive environment where mothers could learn, ask questions, and share experiences related to maternal and newborn health.
“M-SMILE Connect Day reflects the importance of community-centred learning in midwifery and nursing education," said Lucy Kisaka, Senior Instructor at SONAM, EA in Tanzania. “By working directly with families, students can apply their knowledge while empowering communities with essential health information."
The celebration highlighted the strong partnership between AKU students and community members in Kigamboni, emphasizing the role of education and engagement in improving maternal and child health outcomes. It was also an opportunity to recognise the participation of local families who dedicated time to attend the sessions and actively engage in learning about prenatal and postnatal care.
Through initiatives like M-SMILE, SONAM, EA continues to strengthen community outreach while preparing future healthcare professionals to respond effectively to maternal and child health needs across Tanzania.
