Student Reflections

The Mama na Moto project was my first exposure to the world of maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH). This experience was rewarding and inspired me to investigate prenatal education trends in Alberta based on provincial guidelines, in Graduate Studies. The mentorship I received throughout and after the internship is something I continue to cherish as it has contributed towards my development as a policy analyst and researcher. 

~ Dhwani

My 1.5 years involvement with Mama na Mtoto turned me into a life-long global health advocate. Having worked in the Tanzania and Canada offices, I witnessed first-hand the realities of development work and challenged my assumptions about “Africa.” As a communications practitioner, the opportunity to work with a diverse team of incredible individuals, including doctors, research staff, administrators and project managers, allowed me to develop my cross-cultural skills and my ability to digest and break down specialized topics for broader audiences.  I  find myself very attuned to health-related news and content. And I know that won’t cease as I continue to pursue a career in international development.

~ Donna 

Working locally and globally with Mama na Mtoto's (MnM) research and implementation teams has completely transformed my understanding of the challenges facing health systems in low-resource settings and given me the skills and confidence to engage in conversations surrounding global health in meaningful ways. My involvement as a summer student in the first year of my undergraduate degree opened the door to countless opportunities.  I have worked and traveled abroad, gaining first-hand experience with MNCH initiatives in Tanzania.  Working towards my degree, I have built an independent research course focused on global health research, working with incredible mentors who have supported my professional and academic goals along every step of the way. These experiences have been a pivotal factor in enforcing my desire to pursue further studies and career opportunities related to global health. Lastly, in meeting like-minded students with shared passions, I have made life-long friendships which continue to enrich my life on a daily basis. 

~ Ania

Working with the Mama na Mtoto (MnM) program has been a transformative part of my undergraduate experience and has inspired an interest and passion in pursuing further global health education and research. Three years ago, I was completely new to the concept of global MNCH. However, the community-centered approaches taken by MnM and commitment to building capacity were two key hallmarks of this program that piqued my interest. Looking back on my time with MnM, I was able to secure two global health internships, one with MnM in Tanzania and another with their partner in Uganda. This exposure to global health strengthened not only my research capacity, but also my cross-cultural competency, advocacy, and project management skills as well. The learnings and experiences that I developed through interning and working with MnM have also shaped my career trajectory. Inspired by the everyday work that is done by people in global health, I am now interested in pursuing a medical education that can bridge public health and global health approaches. Overall, the investment from Global Affairs Canada and implementation of Mama na Mtoto has shaped my undergraduate experience in the most memorable ways and built my own capacity to be a stronger global health advocate in my local communities.

~ Tyler