Mission Aviation Fellowship enabled Emiliana Musa Chalo to reach remote villages of Mahaka and Chidudu quickly and safely, transforming her ability to provide healthcare to mothers and children in hard-to-access areas.
“What touches me is that I’m helping both mothers and children,” said Emiliana Musa Chalo, who has served for fifteen years as a nurse and midwife at Kilimatinde Hospital, a ministry of the Anglican Church of Tanzania.
Emiliana dedicates her time to providing healthcare to mothers and children in remote areas. Her services include vaccinating children, monitoring pregnant women, and offering treatment and advice.
“When a mother is pregnant, I monitor the baby’s heartbeat, check the development of both, and carry out tests for anaemia, syphilis, HIV, and malaria,” she said.
She also provides iron tablets, malaria prevention, mebendazole for deworming, and tetanus vaccines for both mother and baby.
MAF flew Emiliana and her team to the villages of Mahaka and Chidudu to deliver vaccinations and maternal health services. These flights enabled her to reach areas that are otherwise very difficult to access.
“Without the MAF plane, it would be very hard to reach these places. If the plane doesn’t come, we try to use a car, but it’s a long and difficult journey.”
Since 2010, Emiliana has been involved in medical outreach, flying with MAF, providing essential services like antenatal check-ups, vaccinations, deworming, health education, and testing for common illnesses.
Without the MAF plane, it would be very hard to reach these places.
During a recent visit, she discovered some children had missed scheduled vaccinations. She ensured they received the necessary vaccines, including polio drops, measles, Vitamin A, and deworming tablets, with plans to administer deworming medicine to all children aged six months to five years.
Her work also involves monitoring children’s growth and advising parents on further care.
“I remember helping a mother whose child had a high fever and stopped breastfeeding. I told her to go straight to the health centre—that saved the child's life.”
For Emiliana, this work means a lot to her personally.
“To me, it means a lot because I am saving children’s lives by protecting them from diseases.”
Veronica Jonas Mkude was one of the beneficiaries of Emiliana’s services. She brought her child for vaccinations.
“I came here with my child so he could get his injection,” she explained. “The child is receiving the polio vaccine. I can also get treatment if needed.”
Veronica highlighted the importance of MAF’s flights in making these medical clinics possible.
“It helps because people, both children and adults, to get medical help. Before the plane started coming, there were no services at all. That’s why I brought my child to get vaccinated, because otherwise there are no vaccines here.”
The people we fly are the bridge between MAF and the villages.
MAF pilot Roshan Stephen flew the team to the villages. He shared that during the flights, his focus was entirely on getting the team and supplies to where they needed to go. He explained that he was just making sure the flight happened safely and on time.
“Later, when you’re back at the office, you realise this clinic happened because we brought the team. We made it work,” he said.
“The people we fly are the bridge between MAF and the villages,” he added. “Without them, help wouldn’t reach. Some mothers walk a long way to the airstrip, desperate for vaccinations or treatment. Being part of making that possible matters.”
Looking ahead, Emiliana hoped for more permanent health services in these areas. Until then, she remained grateful for the flights that enable her work.
“MAF helps us reach these places. Your support helps us care for mothers and children. One day, these villages will have clinics of their own. Until then, your help means everything.”