Researchers at the University of South Florida’s College of Public Health (USF COPH) have applied lessons from their collaborative project in Senegal, known as Bajenu Gox, which aims to improve maternal and child health through community-led initiatives. The program leverages “neighborhood godmothers,” or Bajenu Gox volunteers, who provide essential health education, facilitate access to reproductive and child health services, and serve as a bridge between the Senegalese health system and communities. Since its launch in 2009, the project has grown to include 8,600 trained volunteers working across Senegal’s 14 regions, helping reduce infant, neonatal, and maternal mortality rates.
Dr. Richard Powis, a USF assistant professor specializing in maternal and child health, emphasized the ethical duty of global health professionals to share knowledge across borders. The Bajenu Gox model is a prime example of social mobilization, empowering women with information on prenatal care, nutrition, vaccinations, and birth spacing, while connecting them to formal healthcare services. Volunteers also provide support for critical cases, organize community discussions, and mobilize resources when state mechanisms are insufficient.
An evaluation led by Powis in 2023 assessed maternal and child health metrics in both urban and rural contexts, examining mortality rates, childhood diseases, nutrition, and growth outcomes. Findings confirmed that educating women and integrating community engagement with state health services strengthens health outcomes and empowers women in their decision-making. The program’s success hinges on trust, solidarity, and local leadership, offering a model for effective public health interventions in resource-limited settings.
Kanur Raïssa Minkilane, Powis’ collaborator in Senegal, highlighted the global relevance of the Bajenu Gox approach. She noted that lessons learned in Senegal can be applied to communities worldwide, including underserved areas in the United States, by demonstrating how grassroots health leadership, community trust, and social mobilization improve health equity and outcomes. The program also aligns with reproductive justice principles, supporting women’s rights to choose, parent safely, and access essential health services.
Through home visits, community discussions, vaccination and nutrition campaigns, and support for difficult cases, Bajenu Gox volunteers enhance women’s access to information and healthcare, while reinforcing community cohesion. The program provides USF researchers and students with a comparative global perspective, informing strategies that strengthen health initiatives both locally and internationally. By documenting and disseminating the impact of the program, USF aims to inspire similar models of community-based health interventions globally.
