Joanne Chiwaula

Joanne Jorissen Chiwaula obtained a B.A. from Brown University in International Development and then studied at the University of California at San Francisco to become a Certified-Nurse Midwife and Women’s Nurse Practitioner. Awed by birth, inspired by women’s strength, and deeply disturbed by both the prolific grief and resounding silence regarding maternal and infant mortality, Joanne is driven by a desire to serve women who often find quality care in scarce supply. She is committed to efforts making birth and childhood safe and joyous experiences for poor women and their families.

Joanne lived and worked in Malawi from 2005 to 2008. She founded African Mothers Health Initiative (a US based 501c3) and Chimwemwe mu'bereki (a Malawian NGO) in 2008 to provide home based nursing care to critically ill postpartum women and vulnerable newborns. Joanne currently lives and works in Austin as midwife but continues to direct AMHI and provide administrative support to Chimwemwe mu'bereki.

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