Our Story

Healthy Moms Action began as a tribute to my sisters, Virginie and Florence—two bright, caring, and resilient women whose lives were cut short by preventable health challenges.

Growing up, Virginie and Florence were not only brilliant in school but full of life. They were active in sports and deeply committed to our family. Virginie was the calm, peace-making one. Florence had the strength and determination of a natural leader. But like so many girls in low-income communities, their dreams were sidelined by financial hardship. Neither was able to attend college.

Virginie eventually became a single mother of three, one of whom (little Emma) was born with Down syndrome. Her partner left, and she did her best to raise her children alone. But without an education or access to decent work, her options were few. She became sick, and as her health worsened, she developed a heart condition that went untreated for too long. She passed away, leaving three young children behind. Emma was just under three years old.

In the face of this loss, our family came together. My sister Florence, despite raising three children of her own, stepped up and took Emma in. It was a brave and selfless decision, but it came with immense strain. Soon after, her partner also left. Like Virginie, Florence had no professional training or stable income. Two few years later, she too died of a heart attack.

In the span of just two years, our family lost two mothers, two sisters, and left 6 orphans. Today, we’re still figuring out how to raise these children in their absence. The pain doesn’t go away, and we’ve experiencing the generational health impact of losing a mother, especially early in life.

But their story isn’t just our family’s story. It’s the story of millions of young women and girls across low-and-middle-income countries. Women who are strong, capable, and full of potential, but who are failed by dysfunctional health systems.

Through this journey, we’ve learned that access to quality education, especially for girls can change everything. Focusing on equal education for young girls is likely the most powerful and sustainable way to break cycles of poverty and dependence.

We turn our grief into action. Because we know that when we fight for healthier moms, we build stronger families, stronger communities and a better future for all.