In Bale Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia, many families live in remote villages far from health posts, where poor roads make access to services even harder.
With training and support from Save the Children through the Gates Foundation project, health extension worker Sofiya* is reaching zero-dose children through vaccination campaigns. Her work, supported by community volunteers and leaders, has helped families like Halema’s* ensure that even newborns, like her 6-day-old son Ali*, receive life-saving vaccines.
Strong quotes
“Because of the campaigns, we were able to reach many hard-to-reach villages and vaccinate children who had never received a single dose. The support from Save the Children-both technical and financial was crucial.” – Sofiya*
“I live far from the health post, and the road is very difficult. I am grateful that my baby received the polio vaccine right here in my village.” – Halema*
How is Save the Children helping (or did we help) that child or family
Save the Children, through the Gates Foundation’s Targeted Vaccination and Integrated Outreach Service Project, has trained staff members like Sofiya* to promote immunization, supported integrated outreach services, and worked to strengthen local health systems. Beyond vaccination, the project has also provided nutrition support, further improving the well-being of children and families in her community.
Sofiya* was able to give newborn Ali* a polio vaccination at only 6 days old to protect him from preventable illness.
Health extension worker Sofiya* administers a polio vaccine to Halema’s* newborn child Anteneh Teshome / Save the Children
Interviewee’s story in their own words (Quotes)
Sofiya* :
“We first took training from Save the Children through the Gates Foundation project. Then we conducted vaccination campaigns. During these campaigns, we identified many zero-dose children. The work was not easy, the villages are far, and the roads are difficult to travel, even by motorbike. But by working with kebele leaders and community volunteers, we managed. The support from Save the Children; technical, financial, and training-was essential. Because of these campaigns, we reached hard-to-reach villages and vaccinated many children.”
Halema *:
“I have four children, and my youngest, Ali*, is just 6 days old. We live far from the health post, and the road is very difficult. Today, Sofiya* came and vaccinated my baby with the polio vaccine. I feel relieved that my child is protected.”
Health extension worker Sofiya* carries cold box to safely transport vaccines during a mobile Vaccination campaign. Anteneh Teshome / Save the Children
Background / Project information
The Gates Foundation project, implemented by Save the Children in Ethiopia, works to:
- Improve equitable access to quality, innovative vaccination and integrated gender-responsive health services that contribute to national-level evidence generation, and
- Increase sustainable demand for vaccine services by caregivers and communities.
By focusing on both service delivery and demand creation, the project ensures that children in remote and underserved areas are reached with life-saving vaccines.
Health extension worker Sofiya* administers TD vaccine to a mother during a mobile outreach session. Anteneh Teshome / Save the Children
