The Little Heroes Project: Transforming lives across Tanzania
Healthy lives for all
The Little Heroes Project is a cornerstone initiative of the MilleStart Foundation, dedicated to providing life-saving Kangaroo Care (KC) for premature and low-birth-weight newborns across Tanzania and eventually beyond. The project specifically focuses on implementing Babymoon carriers as a practical tool to facilitate effective Kangaroo Care.
Launched with a clear purpose, the Little Heroes Project addresses the critical challenge that affects over 375,000 babies born prematurely each year in Tanzania alone. By promoting evidence-based Kangaroo Care through specialized Babymoon carriers, the project aims to reduce neonatal mortality and contribute directly to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3: ensuring healthy lives for all.
Project scope & Implementation
The Little Heroes Project is currently focused on the Lake Zone of Tanzania, encompassing regions including Kagera, Geita, Mwanza, Mara, Simiyu, and Shinyanga. This regional approach allows for targeted, high-impact implementation while building valuable experience for future expansion.
Key Project Activities
- Specialized training for healthcare professionals (nurses and midwives) on proper Kangaroo Care techniques and optimal use of Babymoon carriers
- Educational sessions for expectant mothers and families on the benefits and proper application of Kangaroo Care
- Community awareness programs to increase acceptance and adoption of Kangaroo Care practices
Carrier Distribution
- Strategic distribution of Babymoon carriers to healthcare facilities in target regions
- Ensuring adequate supply of carriers for premature and low-birth-weight babies
- Working with regional health teams to reach areas of greatest need
Monitoring & Evaluation
- Implementation of robust systems to track the impact of Kangaroo Care and carrier use
- Data collection and analysis to guide project improvements and expansion
- Documentation of success stories and outcomes for advocacy purposes
Lake Zone Implementation Progress
In January 2025, our team conducted comprehensive stakeholder visits across the Lake Zone to establish partnerships and gather insights for effective implementation. The reception was overwhelmingly positive, with regional health officials expressing strong interest in the Babymoon carriers and the Little Heroes Project.
Success Stories
Regional Highlights
Kagera Region: Officials expressed readiness to implement the project while emphasizing the importance of following proper protocol through the Ministry of Health.
Geita Region: Health authorities praised the innovation, noting how the carriers make mothers comfortable during Kangaroo Care. They recommended developing clear guidelines for washing and sanitizing carriers for reuse.
Mwanza Region: Social welfare officers endorsed the innovation and requested comprehensive project information through official channels.
Mara Region: Health officials recognized the value of the innovation and offered to engage stakeholders who could support carrier donation programs.
Simiyu Region: Officials outlined the proper communication channels through PO-RALG (President’s Office-Regional Administration and Local Governments) and requested project timeline information.
Shinyanga Region: Health management teams were particularly enthusiastic, noting the region’s significant need with two major NICUs handling 50-60 cases per week. They also expressed willingness to engage stakeholders for carrier support.
Impact & Benefits
The Little Heroes Project delivers multifaceted benefits:
For Babies:
- Faster weight gain (30-50 grams more per day compared to traditional methods)
- Improved thermoregulation and vital sign stability
- Better brain development and neurological outcomes
- Reduced hospital stays by 2-3 weeks
- Enhanced parent-child bonding
For Healthcare Systems:
- Reduced workload for healthcare staff
- Decreased dependency on expensive incubators
- Increased hospital capacity due to shorter patient stays
- Cost-effective implementation of WHO-recommended practices
For Communities:
- Economic empowerment through local manufacturing of carriers by women from low-economic backgrounds
- Skills development and job creation
- Contribution to multiple Sustainable Development Goals
- Improved health outcomes leading to stronger families and communities
- Stakeholder Recommendations & Path Forward
Implementing key improvements
Based on valuable feedback from regional stakeholders, the Little Heroes Project is implementing several key improvements:
- Carrier Maintenance Guidelines: Developing comprehensive instructions for proper washing and maintenance to ensure longevity and usability of carriers.
- Pricing Considerations: Evaluating pricing strategies to increase affordability, with stakeholders suggesting a target price range of TZS 40,000-50,000 per carrier.
- Access Modality Clarification: Creating clear communication about how carriers can be accessed, including both purchase options and donation programs.
- Strengthened Governmental Collaboration: Securing official introduction letters from the Ministry of Health addressed to Regional Medical Officers through PO-RALG to facilitate seamless operations.
- Demand Creation: Activating awareness campaigns throughout the Lake Zone to build knowledge about Kangaroo Care benefits and create demand for the Babymoon carriers.
Support our mission today
Together, we can build strong foundations for life. Join us in making a difference.