HEFAI: Health Equity and Family Access Initiative
Our Story: Expanding Access, Empowering Women
2.1 Who We Are
A Malawian Nonprofit for SRHR
HEFAI is dedicated to expanding equitable access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), especially for women, adolescent girls, and young women living in underserved and hard-to-reach communities.
We focus on increasing access to modern contraceptive choices—particularly the self-injectable DMPA-SC while strengthening frontline health systems that support informed, dignified decision-making. Our work is grounded in community leadership, government partnership, and evidence-based interventions.
2.2 Vision & Mission
Our Vision
A Malawi where all women and girls—regardless of where they live—can access life-changing reproductive health services with dignity, choice, and confidence.
Our Mission
To expand equitable access to effective family planning options, empower communities with accurate SRHR information, and strengthen frontline health systems through strategic partnerships, supply chain support, and evidence-based innovation.
What We Do
Focusing on Practical, Field-Tested Solutions
Scale up access to DMPA-SC and other modern family planning options
Strengthen supply chain systems to reduce stockouts
Equip Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs) and providers with training and support
Improve data visibility and digital health tracking tools
Mobilize communities and empower youth with accurate SRHR information
Support evidence-driven decision-making at district and national levels
2.3 Our Approach
Five Pillars of Sustainable Impact
2.4 Our Leadership
Driven by Passion, Guided by Expertise
Our team is composed of Malawian public health experts, field operatives, and M&E specialists dedicated to achieving measurable impact in SRHR access. We combine deep local knowledge with global best practices.
Meet the full team →
Jemimah Nyirongo
Founder and Executive Director
Jemimah leads HEFAI’s strategy, partnerships, and program growth, guiding the organization in scaling community-based distribution of self-injectable contraceptives and other reproductive health solutions.
Jemimah’s work combines public health research, program implementation, and monitoring and evaluation. She has designed and led interventions to remove barriers to contraceptive access, strengthened collaborations with local health systems, and developed M&E frameworks to track program outcomes and inform evidence-based decision-making. Her hands-on leadership ensures HEFAI’s initiatives are sustainable, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of the communities they serve.
Albert Kaonga
Co-Founder/ Director of Operations
Albert oversees operations, monitoring, and quality improvement at HEFAI, bringing deep experience in M&E and systems strengthening.
He leads the development of processes, data systems, and quality-assurance frameworks that ensure programs are efficient, evidence-driven, and responsive to community needs. Albert’s strong analytical and operational background helps maintain high standards of service delivery across all program areas.
Madeline Stark
Co-Founder/ Monitoring, Evaluation & Grants Advisor
Maddie leads monitoring, evaluation, and grant-writing efforts at HEFAI, ensuring programs are data-driven, effective, and well-resourced.
She designs M&E systems, tracks program outcomes, and develops proposals to secure funding that expands access to family-planning and reproductive health services. Madeline’s work ensures HAI’s interventions are measurable, impactful, and sustainable for the communities they serve.
Leonard Mndala
Co- Founder/ Implementation Director
Leonard is a public-health researcher and program lead with extensive experience in family planning and reproductive health.
He oversees community outreach and service delivery at HAI, using research and data-driven insights to expand access to contraceptives and reproductive health services. Leonard has co-authored studies on maternal and neonatal care and combines hands-on field experience with evidence-based planning to ensure HAI’s programs are effective, equitable, and responsive to community needs
2.5 Our Partners
Collaborative Network for Lasting Change
Ministry of Health (RHD)
Technical oversight, policy alignment, and national guidance.
Central Medical Stores Trust (CMST)
Ensuring reliable supply of commodities such as DMPA-SC.
Parent and Child Health Initiative (PACHI)
Community mobilization and research-driven programming.
District Councils & DHOs
Implementation oversight and crucial district-level coordination.
Community-Based Organizations (CBOs)
Grassroots mobilization and local capacity building.
Who We Serve
- Women in Rural Areas
- Adolescent Girls & Young Women (AGYW)
- Frontline Providers (HSAs, Nurses)