Our Mission

To improve the wellbeing of vulnerable children and their caregivers and families affected by HIV and AIDS and poverty

Gill Garb

If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

– African Proverb

By 2005, Bantwana’s founder, Gill Garb, had spent more than a decade working in sub-Saharan Africa with communities struggling to cope with the devastating effects of HIV. Despite an initial outpouring of donor funding for the millions of HIV-affected orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) across Africa, little of this support was reaching the communities and families who shouldered the greatest burden and costs.

Inspired by passionate, committed local groups and individuals on the frontlines of the HIV epidemic, and working closely with colleagues in Africa who shared her vision, Gill conceived the Bantwana Initiative (“Our Children” in Zulu) as a way to bolster existing grassroots efforts through management and technical training, with a focus on holistic, comprehensive care.

Our Vision

We envision a world where all children are healthy, secure, and can reach their full potential.

We reach over 600,000 people across six countries in sub-Saharan Africa

We work with more than 90 local organizations, clinics, and local and national governments in Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.

Putting children and caregivers first

Our evidence-based, socio-ecological model of comprehensive care ensures that children and their caregivers have access to the full range of support they need to grow and improve their overall wellbeing. We engage at all levels—working in close partnership with children and youth, families, communities, civil-society organizations, private sector, and governments—to promote transformative, lasting change.

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Caregiver and child
WUBP beneficiaries with the baskets they made

Job Openings

Do you share our passion for improving the lives of children? Learn more about our culture, staff, and current openings.

Students from the African Storytelling Initiative in Tanzania pose after a session.

Meet Our Team

Our diverse and experienced team works in partnership with communities to develop locally-driven solutions that have lasting impact.

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