From August 11 to 12, 2026, The Child Health and Infection with Low Density Malaria (CHILD) Project, implemented by the Ifakara Health Institute provided essential First Aid Kits to 10 primary schools in the Fukayosi and Kiwangwa wards of Bagamoyo and Chalinze districts, as part of the project team’s commitment to giving back to communities involved in the study.

The initiative aimed to strengthen the availability of basic first aid services in primary schools and support schools in creating safer and healthier learning environments for schoolchildren. The Schools supported by this initiative include Kwa Wema, Mwavi, Misani, Kiwangwa, Magogoni, Bago, and Msinune Primary Schools in Kiwangwa Ward, as well as Mtakuja, Fukayosi, and Kalimeni Primary Schools in Fukayosi Ward.

Strengthening school preparedness

The initiative went beyond the distribution of First Aid Kits. The project team also provided guidance to school representatives and students on the appropriate use of the kits, as well as the proper storage and management of medicines and other first aid supplies.

Participants were also educated on how to identify medication expiry dates, which helps schools ensure that medicines and supplies remain safe and effective when needed.

By combining essential first aid supplies with practical training, the initiative aimed to strengthen schools’ preparedness to handle common minor injuries and emergencies and contribute to safer learning environments.

Giving back through research

The initiative reflects the project team’s commitment to ensuring that research provides meaningful benefits for the communities involved. By addressing practical needs identified in the study areas, the team continues to support community wellbeing beyond the research process.

70 years of impact: Science in action

As the Ifakara Health Institute marks 70 years of impact this year, initiatives like this one demonstrate how research and innovation can be translated into practical benefits at the grassroots level. Over the past seven decades, the Institute has generated evidence that contributes to improved health and wellbeing in Tanzania and beyond, while actively engaging the communities at the core of its efforts.