We are happy to welcome a new parent organisation as partner and friend to our network: The “EDEN Foundation” from Nigeria!

Founder Kobi Ajayi © Kobi Ajayi

The “EDEN Foundation” is a registered non-profit, non-governmental organisation and was established in 2019. Founder Kobi Ajayi went through pregnancy loss as well as a preterm birth herself and had to learn how to cope with the physical and psychological tolls of these experiences. Realising that she was not alone and that many women have to live through these and similar incidents, she found her calling in activism. Ajayi founded “EDEN” to improve health outcomes for mothers as well as small and sick newborns in rural and underserved regions in sub-Saharan Africa.

Of course, the name of the foundation, “Eden” is a clear nod the Biblical Garden of Eden with its promises of health and wholesomeness. But first and foremost, it encapsulates the foundation’s strategic goals of…

• Educating mothers and families about evidence-based and culturally responsive health information so that they can make sound judgements regarding their reproductive and mental health;
• Directing and providing resources to meet the health needs of mothers and families with small and sick newborns;
• Empowering mothers with skills and knowledge so that they can make informed decisions about their own health as well as the health and care of their families;
• Nurturing vulnerable families to survive and thrive.

© EDEN Foundation

In practice, this means that the “EDEN Foundation” strives to provide basic life-saving health care services in sub-Saharan Africa and works to reduce preventable maternal and preterm deaths in order to achieve the third United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Thus, among other initiatives, the “EDEN Foundation” launched a “Prematurity Awareness and Prevention Program” (PaPP) which developed a special kit with items and information useful for preterm mothers. The foundation also raises awareness for the importance of maternal mental health and well-being by working to integrate maternal mental health care into existing maternal care services. Special attention is paid to providing culturally relevant content, resources, and referral services so as to prevent the onset of depression among pregnant and new mothers. The “EDEN Foundation” represents families in the hospital as well as in community settings and aims to improve the health and quality of life for underserved mothers and newborns through research, education, and advocacy.

Welcome, “EDEN Foundation” – we are happy to have you as partner and friend in our network and look forward to fruitful collaborations in the future!

Find out more about the “EDEN Foundation” and its history, programs, and activities on the foundation’s website.