The Guild Learning Centre
The Rise of the Pan‑African Endometriosis Foundation
The Birth of Africa’s First Holistic Endometriosis Wellness Centre
Grace Nagawa Entebbe, Uganda
When Nurse Grace Nagawa stood up during the first Entrepreneurship Workshop at Aga Khan University in February 2023, she carried with her a vision bold enough to shift the landscape of women’s health in Africa. Her dream was simple yet revolutionary:
to ensure every woman in Uganda knows what endometriosis is, understands how it affects her life, and has a dignified pathway to care.
That moment marked the beginning of what would become the Pan African Endometriosis Foundation and the early foundations of the first Pan‑African Holistic Endometriosis Wellness Centre in Entebbe, Uganda.
Grace Nagawa teaching endometriosis
The Silent Epidemic No One Talks About
Endometriosis affects 10–15% of women worldwide, yet in Africa it has long been shrouded in silence — a combination of medical dismissal, cultural taboos, and systemic neglect. The disease occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing chronic pain, infertility, and life‑altering complications. Across the continent, the condition has been called a “silent epidemic” for a reason:
Many governments do not formally recognise it
Most health professionals are not trained to diagnose or manage it
Diagnosis can take 15 years or more — if it happens at all
For millions of African women, the silence has been devastating.
The Myths That Hurt Women
1. The Myth of Rarity
For decades, a harmful medical myth claimed that endometriosis was rare in Black women. This falsehood delayed diagnosis for generations. Many African women suffer 8 to 15 years before receiving an accurate diagnosis — and most are never diagnosed at all.
2. The Myth That “Pain Is Normal”
Perhaps the most damaging belief is that severe menstrual pain is simply part of being a woman.
This myth has silenced countless women who faint, vomit, or miss school and work due to debilitating pain.
The Vaka Health Foundation, MILCOT, and Dr. Admore Jokwiro are working to dismantle this myth by teaching communities the difference between:
Normal menstrual discomfort is mild, manageable, not life‑disrupting
Endometriosis pain is severe, disabling, unresponsive to standard painkillers
When society labels this suffering as “normal,” it gaslights women into believing their agony is a personal weakness rather than a medical condition.
Cultural Narratives That Silence Women
Across Zimbabwe, Uganda, and many African societies, cultural expectations of female endurance run deep.
“Kunyara / Keeping Quiet”
Women are taught to endure pain silently.
Grandmothers tell daughters, “We suffered too — it’s just how it is.”
Stigma of Complaint
A woman who speaks up risks being labelled “lazy,” “weak,” or “dramatic.”
The Cost of Normalising Pain. When pain is dismissed:
Diagnosis is delayed for years, and the disease progresses unchecked
Fertility is damaged
Mental health deteriorates as women lose income, education, and opportunities
Endometriosis becomes not just a medical condition — but a social, economic, and emotional burden.
Vaka Health Foundation’s Intervention: “Pain Is a Signal”
Through the VakaAfya app and training for Mudhumeni WeUtano health extension workers, Vaka Health is rewriting the narrative. Their message is clear. Pain is a signal, not a standard. The Nurses are trained to ask: “Does this pain stop you from living your life?”. If the answer is yes, the woman is immediately referred for a telehealth consultation via BatsiHealth, bypassing traditional gatekeepers who might dismiss her symptoms. This simple shift is helping women in Zimbabwe and Uganda reclaim their health — and their dignity.
The Broader Burden on African Women
Endometriosis is more than a medical condition. It is a silent crisis shaped by cultural, social, and economic realities. In many communities, menstrual pain is taboo, forcing women to suffer in silence. Infertility linked to endometriosis carries profound social consequences, where a woman’s worth is often tied to her ability to conceive. This can lead to marital strain, social isolation, and deep emotional trauma. The economic impact is equally severe: debilitating pain means missed school, missed work, lost income, and reduced productivity. For women in farming or informal employment, every lost day translates into real financial hardship. Endometriosis is not just a health issue. It is a barrier to education, livelihoods, and dignity.
Menstrual pain is taboo. Women are told to hide it.
The Pan‑African Response: PAHEWI
The Pan African Holistic Endometriosis Wellness Initiative (PAHEWI), led by Nurse Grace Nagawa and supported by the Vaka Health Foundation, is transforming the landscape of care.
1. Specialised Clinics
Operating in Uganda and Zimbabwe, these centres offer:
Transvaginal ultrasounds
Laparoscopic referrals
Specialist consultations rarely available in rural clinics
2. The “Endo‑Entrepreneur” Program
Because chronic pain makes traditional employment difficult, PAHEWI trains Endo‑Warriors to build flexible, sustainable businesses that start from kiosks to full enterprises.
3. 24/7 Telehealth Support via BatsiHealth
Women can speak to trained specialists anytime, without fear of being dismissed or misunderstood.
Grace Nagawa (standing second from right) at the first Entrepreneurship workshop for Nurses and Midwives, Uganda, 2023.
A Letter of Gratitude from Grace Nagawa
CEO, Pan African Endometriosis Foundation
The beginning of the Women Health Gallery in Uganda
A Season of Gratitude and Hope
“As we reflect on the year and embrace the spirit of Christmas, our hearts are full of gratitude for the unwavering support of the Vaka Health Foundation. Their commitment to women’s health has helped transform a long‑held dream into reality the creation of the Pan African Holistic Endometriosis Wellness Centre, one of the first of its kind on the continent.
This centre represents hope, healing, and dignity for countless women who have suffered in silence for far too long. Through Vaka Health’s support, women across Africa are finally being seen, heard, and cared for in a holistic and compassionate way.
This Christmas, we celebrate not only the progress made but the shared vision that guides us forward — a future where no woman suffers in silence and where holistic care is accessible to all. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Vaka Health Foundation for believing in us and walking this journey with us.” May this festive season bring peace, joy, and renewed hope. Together, we are building a healthier, more compassionate Africa, one woman at a time.
With sincere gratitude and warm Christmas wishes.
Grace Nagawa
CEO, Endometriosis Foundation Uganda
CEO, Pan African Holistic Endometriosis Wellness Organisation
The Construction of Pan-African Holistic Endometriosis Wellness Centre
In Pictures
Grace Nagawa at the initial blessing of the Holistic Centre site, May 2025.
Peter Williams is examining the site
The Endometriosis Holistic Centre site taking shape, Nov 2025.
WilPhi Coffee: The Women Rising From Uganda’s Coffee Fields
Phina Nalukwago grew up in a rural Ugandan village where coffee wasn’t just a crop. It was the heartbeat of the community. Every morning, she watched women move through the fields with quiet strength, their hands stained red from the cherries they harvested, their backs bent but their spirits unbroken. Among them was her mother, a force of nature who led a women’s savings group that had sustained families for more than two decades. For these women, the group was more than a financial cushion, it was their voice, their power, and their path out of poverty.
After completing her higher education, Phina felt a pull she couldn’t ignore that is a call back home. She returned to the village and joined her mother’s savings group, eager to learn from the women who had shaped her childhood. Their resilience inspired her, but one moment changed everything.
During a meeting, a woman shared a story that pierced the room.
Her daughter had asked her, “Mama, why do we work so hard but stay poor?”
The mother had no answer.
Like generations before her, she had planted, picked, and processed the coffee the world adored yet remained invisible in its success story.
That question echoed in Phina’s mind for days.
What if the women who grew Uganda’s exceptional coffee could finally own their story, their labour, and their future?
She thought of the skilled women farmers whose names no one knew, whose profits they never saw, whose potential was buried in someone else’s soil. She imagined a different future — one where their work was recognised, rewarded, and celebrated.
That vision led her to the Entrepreneurship Workshop at Aga Khan University, where she refined her dream and found the partners who would help her bring it to life.
The Birth of WilPhi Enterprises
With financial and structural support from two foundations, including Vaka Health Foundation. Phina co‑founded WilPhi Enterprises Ltd. Through ongoing financial literacy training and mentorship, the company began transforming uncertainty into confidence, and despair into hope.
Women who had once lost faith in the system began to see themselves differently, as entrepreneurs, as leaders, as owners of their own destiny. They joined WilPhi not just to earn, but to rise.
WilPhi Coffee: Every Bean Tells a Story
The revitalized coffee plantation of WilPhi Enterprises, bearing their coffee produce.
Today, WilPhi Coffee is more than a brand. It has become a movement.
Every bean is grown by women whose hands have nurtured Uganda’s soil for generations.
Every harvest carries a story of solidarity, dignity, and rebirth.
When customers choose WilPhi Coffee, they are not simply buying premium Ugandan beans.
They are: Investing in fair pay because quality deserves compensation
Funding financial literacy programs
Supporting women’s economic empowerment
Honouring the hands that grew their coffee
At WilPhi, women are not just included, they are empowered.
Not just paid, they are valued.
Not just workers, they are leaders, owners, and producers.
Every sip becomes an act of solidarity.
Coffee With Purpose
Choosing WilPhi Coffee means choosing impact.
It means saying yes to dignity, yes to opportunity, and yes to rewriting the story of women in agriculture.
And the commitment runs deep:
25% of profits support women in coffee
25% support women through the Pan-African Endometriosis Organisation
Because empowerment is not a slogan, it is a responsibility.
Drink With Purpose
When you choose WilPhi, you honour the women who nurture the beans, the mothers who carry the weight of their families, and the daughters who deserve a future brighter than their past.
Thank you for turning a simple cup of coffee into a catalyst for change.
Talmo Rides at One Year: A Milestone of Mobility, Empowerment & Women‑Led Innovation
This month marks a powerful milestone for Talmo Rides Enterprises Ltd, a fast‑growing tricycle and motorbike business that has just completed its first full year of operation and what a year it has been.
Founded and led by Namugema Molly, a dynamic woman entrepreneur, Talmo Rides has quickly become a trusted name in the sale of motor‑tricycles, motorbikes, spare parts, and mechanical services. The company’s customer base has expanded steadily, with a notable rise in women riders and operators who are embracing mobility as a pathway to independence and income.
Namugema Molly, relaxed inside her business, surrounded by spares, and thinking continually about growing her business
A Year of Growth, Profitability & Purpose
In just twelve months, Talmo Rides has achieved what many startups only dream of:
139 tricycles sold
Consistent monthly profitability
A loyal and growing customer community
This success is a testament to the dedication of the Talmo Rides team, their commitment to excellent customer service, and their deep understanding of the transportation needs of local communities.
Looking Ahead: Mobility as a Tool for Women’s Empowerment
Talmo Rides is not slowing down. As it enters its second year, the company is preparing to launch a bike loan program, with a special focus on women beneficiaries. The goal is simple but transformative:
Improve women’s mobility
Increase their income‑earning opportunities
Strengthen their participation in local economies
By placing mobility directly into the hands of women, Talmo Rides is helping reshape gender roles and expand economic possibilities across the region.
To meet the demands of its rapidly expanding customer base, the company also plans to import spare parts, ensuring reliable supply, better pricing, and improved service delivery.
A happy customer at Talmo Rides
A Journey Powered by Partnership
In her message of gratitude, founder Namugema Molly extends heartfelt appreciation to the Vaka Health Foundation:
“This journey would not have been possible without the unwavering support of Vaka Health Foundation — from the startup funds to the ongoing mentorship and belief in women‑led enterprises.”
Talmo Rides stands as a shining example of what becomes possible when opportunity meets determination, and when women entrepreneurs are given the tools, trust, and support they deserve.
Impact Beyond Business
Talmo Rides is committed not only to commercial success but to social impact. The company allocates its profits with purpose:
25% to the Pan-African Endometriosis Foundation
20% to support the next women‑led startup(s)
5% to the Joy for Humanity Foundation, serving communities in rural Kyazanga, Uganda
Every tricycle sold, every service delivered, and every woman empowered contributes to a broader ecosystem of health, opportunity, and community upliftment.
Driving Change, One Ride at a Time
As Talmo Rides accelerates into its second year, it remains anchored in its mission:
to expand access to affordable mobility while empowering women and strengthening the local economy.
With vision, resilience, and a commitment to community, Talmo Rides is proving that transportation can be more than movement. It can be a transformation.
MILCOT: The Midwife‑Led Movement Transforming Communities in Uganda
Midwife‑led Community Transformation (MILCOT) began as a small grassroots initiative in Uganda — but today, it stands as one of the continent’s most compelling models for community‑based midwifery. Founded and directed by Harriet Nayiga, an award‑winning Ugandan midwife, MILCOT is redefining what it means to deliver care at the heart of the community.
At its core, MILCOT believes that midwives are far more than birth attendants.
They are community leaders, educators, advocates, and the vital bridge between health facilities and the homes of the people they serve.
Vision
To build communities free from teenage pregnancy and its devastating consequences — where every woman and adolescent has access to life‑saving health education.
Mission
To reduce maternal mortality and morbidity by providing evidence‑based Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) education and essential life skills to adolescents, youth, and marginalized families at the grassroots level.
A Model of Impact: Key Achievements (2022–2025)
Over the past three years, MILCOT has grown from a local Ugandan NGO into an internationally recognized leader in midwifery‑driven community health. Its achievements reflect both innovation and deep community trust.
1. Nightingale Challenge Leadership Development
MILCOT successfully trained and mentored dozens of early‑career nurses and midwives, equipping them with leadership, advocacy, and community‑engagement skills. These young professionals have become Community Health Champions, leading preventative health programs across their regions.
2. Reducing Teenage Pregnancy
In Nansana Municipality, MILCOT has reached thousands of adolescents with SRH education.
The result:
a measurable decline in unplanned pregnancies and unsafe abortions within the communities they serve.
3.Global Recognition & Awards
Between 2024 and 2025, MILCOT and its founder received multiple international accolades — including recognition from the Nursing Now Challenge — for advancing maternal and child health through community‑based, midwife‑led models.
4. Digital Expansion Through VakaAfya
By integrating with the Vaka Health Foundation’s VakaAfya app, MILCOT has digitized its outreach.
Midwives now use the platform to:
Track maternal health metrics
Provide remote counselling
Support young mothers in rural and hard‑to‑reach areas
This digital shift has expanded MILCOT’s reach and strengthened continuity of care.
5. Emergency Response & Skills Training
MILCOT has provided “survival skills” and vocational training to young mothers forced out of school.
This dual approach of health literacy + economic empowerment — helps young women rebuild their lives with dignity and independence.
A Movement Rooted in Community, Led by Midwives
MILCOT’s story is one of courage, innovation, and unwavering commitment. It proves that when midwives are empowered to lead, entire communities thrive.
Where Were Going: Building the Future, One Community at a Time
The future of health in Africa will not be transformed by ideas alone. It will be shaped by action. By reimagining how Primary Health Care is financed, managed, and scaled through reform‑oriented, innovative, and partnership‑driven approaches, African countries have the power to unlock the full potential of primary healthcare as the foundation for universal, equitable, and sustainable health coverage.
We are not waiting for change.
We are building it.
Less talking. More doing. Now.
Because thinking is important but doing is what delivers real health outcomes to rural and remote communities. And doing is exactly what defines our next chapter