Last week, U-VOL Foundation had the privilege of visiting Direct Relief’s headquarters, marking a pivotal step in our shared mission to advance maternal health, equitable healthcare delivery, and sustainable solutions for underserved communities. Collaborations like this are vital for bridging gaps in care and creating lasting impact where it’s needed most.
In Attendance
- U-VOL Foundation:
- Dr. Faith Adole, Founder & CEO
- Cynthia Webb, Director of Clinical Education and Training
- Direct Relief:
- Heather Bennett, VP of Community Engagement
- Byron Scott, Chief Operating Officer
- Tim Boris, VP of Programs
- Alycia Clark, Chief Pharmacist
- Jeffrey Samuel, Regional Director, Africa
- Megan Sheridan, Program Manager
Key Outcomes from the Visit
Scaling Maternal Health Solutions in Nigeria
U-VOL and Direct Relief are joining forces to expand the reach of midwife kits and provider training across Nigeria, building on the proven success of the ValueHer Initiative. This collaboration aims to equip more frontline providers and improve outcomes for mothers and newborns.
Launching New Programming in Ghana
With U-VOL’s growing presence in maternal health, Direct Relief will support the rollout of midwife kits and provider training at Mansa Memorial Hospital and other rural facilities, helping to address critical gaps in care for women and families.
Exploring Expansion of U.S. Support
The teams explored opportunities for Direct Relief to bolster U-VOL’s community-based health programs in the United States, particularly in California and Texas, where U-VOL operates local outreach initiatives. These include street medicine, community health fairs, food distribution, and partnerships with transitional housing centers and free clinics to provide health promotion workshops and essential services to underserved populations.
Strengthening Strategic Collaboration
Both organizations reaffirmed their commitment to empowering frontline health workers with the tools, training, and resources needed to provide high-quality, dignified care in low-resource settings.
| Initiative | Location | Focus Area |
| Scaling Midwife Kits & Training | Nigeria | Maternal Health, General Medical Outreach, Cholera Treatment, Health Support for IDPs Affected by Conflict |
| Launching New Programming | Ghana | Maternal Health |
| Expanding Community-Based Programs | U.S. (CA & TX) | Equitable Healthcare Delivery |
We are deeply grateful to the Direct Relief team for their time, insight, and shared commitment. This partnership is a powerful example of what’s possible when compassion meets strategy.
Follow our journey as we continue to build sustainable solutions for global health.
