Small Grants, System Gains: Six Faith-Based Organizations Strengthening Health Systems
CCIH is pleased to announce the recipients of our 2026 Small Grant Program, an investment designed to catalyze meaningful, long-term improvements in health workforce capacity and community-based services.
Rather than funding direct service delivery, these grants focus on multiplier efforts: innovative, sustainable, and scalable approaches that equip and empower health workers to deliver better care over time. From competency-based clinical training to peer mentorship networks and digital tools, each project reflects CCIH’s commitment to strengthening health systems through capacity building. Each of these grants elevates or expands a current 30×30 health system commitment, a continued investment in this long-term initiative, and the FBOs involved.
The grant-funded projects will run from January to October 2026. We are honored to support the following CCIH members and their impactful initiatives:
2026 Small Grant Awardees
LifeNet Kenya: Equipping Christian Healthcare Workers to Save Birthing Mothers’ Lives in Western Kenya
LifeNet Kenya will establish a revolving fund for calibrated drapes across 15 healthcare facilities, enabling providers to accurately measure blood loss during childbirth—an essential step in preventing postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). This highly innovative and sustainable model builds on proven success in Ghana. Top photo: A patient receives care at the Cana Family Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, a facility within the LifeNet network. Photo by Ramond Kasoga/LifeNet International.
Christian Medical Association of India (CMAI): Upholding the Dignity of Elders through Capacity Building of Youth in India
CMAI will equip 60 youth annually with geriatric caregiving and home health aide skills through a state-of-the-art simulation lab. The program delivers competency-driven, employability-focused training aligned with national skill development standards, strengthening care for elders while creating pathways to meaningful work.
Kingdom Workers Malawi: Structured Volunteer Training for Improved Home-Based Care of Children with Disabilities in Malawi
The Kingdom Workers‘ project strengthens community volunteer capacity in basic rehabilitation skills, improving the quality of care for children with disabilities. The initiative also establishes a replicable and sustainable volunteer training model that can be expanded across multiple sites.
Helping Children Worldwide: Maternal and Child Health Mission: Enhancing Competent Care in Sierra Leone
Helping Children Worldwide will implement comprehensive midwife training using an innovative dual-trainer model. The project is strengthened by cost-sharing and active collaboration with multiple CCIH 30×30 Initiative commitment makers, demonstrating strong partnership and sustainability.
DOM ECC – Department of Medical Works of the Church of Christ in South Kivu, DRC: Training of Peer Educators to Strengthen the Capacities of Healthcare Providers in Eastern DRC
In a high-need context, DOM ECC will create local pools of peer trainers focused on critical gaps in blood donation and transfusion. This community-centered approach builds lasting capacity where it is urgently needed.
Access to Health (Zambia): Strengthening the Health Workforce in Mental Health
This Access to Health project equips healthcare workers, community counselors, and faith leaders with the skills to identify, manage, and track maternal and general mental health conditions. Using evidence-based screening tools (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), digital data systems, and structured mentorship, the program strengthens integrated, person-centered care across MNCH and NCD services.
Together, these projects reflect the power of faith-based organizations as catalysts for system-wide impact, strengthening leadership, skills, and collaboration so health systems can better serve communities.
Learn more about the CCIH Small Grant program.
One Comment
Onesmus Dadi Mwaggona
on May 7, 2026 at 7:55 am
This is an excellent initiative that will go a long way in improving the health outcomes of needy communities, including the area we work in, i.e. Magarini sub county, Kilifi county, Kenya.