Q4 Report 2024

October - December

Dear One Heart friends,

As we settle into our new co-CEO roles, we are discussing our joint visions for organizational strategy and goals. We look forward to sharing these updates with you over the next couple of months.

We wish to extend a heartfelt Dhanyabad (thank you) for your support in response to the devastating floods and landslides last September. Following our appeals for relief, your generosity allowed us to distribute essential supplies to many more pregnant women and new mothers than we originally anticipated. These humanitarian relief efforts make a huge difference for families who lost everything in the floods and allow mothers to keep their infants safe in spite of the challenging conditions.

As we conclude 2024, we have a number of major accomplishments to report, such as the handing over of our program activities to the health authorities in Kavrepalanchowk, Salyan, Rautahat, and Rukum West as those districts progress to the Transition Phase of our model. We look forward to seeing everything we are able to accomplish in 2025 with your support!

Warmest regards,

Mr. Surya Bhatta and Dr. Sibylle Kristensen

Co-CEOs, One Heart Worldwide

Program Highlights

At the end of September 2024, a series of floods and mudslides brought about by heavier-than-usual monsoon rains devastated the districts of Kavrepalanchowk, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Lalitpur, Sindhuli, and Makwanpur. The Government of Nepal reported that at least 286 people perished, and over 1,500 homes were damaged or destroyed. Public health officials in Kavrepalanchowk, Rautahat, and Sarlahi requested OHW’s support in responding to the crisis, noting that five health facilities had collapsed completely and an additional four were damaged.
In response, by October 20, we were able to deliver medical tents that had been provided by Direct Relief and other essential medical supplies from our inventory to five affected health facilities in Kavrepalanchowk. We also set a goal of reaching 750 pregnant women and new mothers with relief materials. We were ultimately able to provide relief materials to 2,370 women across 11 affected municipalities. Women were given hygiene and dignity kits, blankets and other materials to stay warm, and food packets that included baby food.
As of October 2024, Mr. Surya Bhatta and Dr. Sibylle Kristensen started serving as co-CEOs. This shift to a dual leadership model amplifies our commitment to collaboration, teamwork, inclusivity, and empowerment. Partnerships are one of the key components of our Network of Safety model, so it made sense for OHW to adopt a similar approach for our leadership model. We are convinced that two leaders, with their unique skills and experiences, can better navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities in today’s economy/landscape. Leading together, Surya and Sibylle represent various aspects of our beneficiaries and they tap into diverse perspectives and strategic insights crucial for decision-making and management.
We renewed our General Agreement with the Social Welfare Council in July. This agreement allows us to operate and continue our legal presence in Nepal for the next five years. The smooth renewal process demonstrates the strong partnership we have been maintaining with the Government of Nepal.
Over the past four months, One Heart Worldwide had the privilege of working with Rippleworks and pro bono Marketing expert, Aaliyah Ansari Fletcher, to refine voice and develop a go-to-market strategy. With guidance from Aaliyah, alongside the Rippleworks team–including Cliff Richard Ingabo and Rebecca Musiitwa–we explored strategies to strengthen our engagement with funders, partners, and programmatic stakeholders. This collaboration reinforced key insights on scaling impact, from the importance of unrestricted funding to the role of technology in enhancing NGO operations. We are deeply grateful to Rippleworks for their support and look forward to leveraging these learnings
Five of our active implementation districts - Sarlahi, Udayapur, Parbat, Myagdi, and Dolakha - have graduated to the Transition Phase of OHW’s six-year Network of Safety model. The local health authorities in these districts have demonstrated a firm commitment to owning OHW’s intervention and prioritizing maternal and newborn health. Over the next two years, OHW will continue to provide guidance and technical support where needed, but in a reduced capacity as these health systems function autonomously using the new knowledge and skills given to them during our program.
We have also completed all the necessary preparatory work to launch the program in three new districts—Humla, Siraha, and Dhanusha. This included engaging with relevant stakeholders in these districts to ensure alignment and local support, setting up the necessary resources and logistical arrangements for program implementation, recruiting staff in those districts, and finalizing the Detailed Implementation Plan for 2025. We have also signed partnership agreements with three new partner NGOs in these districts.

Program Delivery

Story from the Field: Board of Directors visit to nepal

In November 2024, One Heart Worldwide hosted several of our Board members, including Dr. Kirsten Meisinger, Dr. Judith Steinberg, Scott Kimball, Stephanie Beckstrom, and Jessica Vanzura, on an immersive trip to Nepal. Their visit allowed them to experience firsthand the impact of OHW’s work and reinforced their commitment to our mission of ensuring no mother or newborn is left behind.

The journey began in Kavrepalanchowk District, where Board members witnessed the resilience of local communities recovering from devastating flooding and landslides. They met with Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) and health workers at Kattike Deurali and Kalati Bhumidanda Health Posts, where OHW’s emergency relief efforts have been critical in restoring maternal newborn healthcare services.

In Kathmandu, the Board engaged with key government officials and organizational partners, including Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Population and Laerdal Global Health. They also had the opportunity to connect with OHW’s Nepal Advisory board members, strengthening collaboration and reinforcing our shared commitment to advancing maternal and newborn health.

A highlight of the trip was attending the first-ever convocation ceremony at the Karnali Academy of Health Sciences in Jumla, where Board Chair Dr. Kirsten Meisinger delivered an inspiring address to graduating healthcare professionals, emphasizing their crucial role in improving health outcomes in remote regions.

The trip concluded in Surkhet District, where Board members visited OHW’s Rural Ultrasound (ROUSG) training site and met with our dedicated Surkhet Cluster Office team. Their experience deepened their understanding of OHW’s innovative programs and the critical role of frontline health workers in transforming maternal and newborn healthcare across Nepal.

We are incredibly grateful to our Board members for their unwavering support and leadership. Their visit reaffirmed the power of partnership, advocacy, and direct engagement in driving sustainable change. Thank you, Kirsten, Judith, Scott, Stephanie, and Jessica, for your dedication to our shared mission!