57,796girls reached across 92 schools
Suzan L. Yumbe
Suzan Lucas Yumbe grew up in rural Tanzania, where the daily struggle for safe water and adequate sanitation was not a statistic, it was her reality. That lived experience started a lifelong mission to close the gaps that keep communities from thriving.
A Chevening Scholar with an MSc in Public Health for Development from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Suzan combines grassroots experience with global expertise. In 2017 she founded Afyaplus as a community-based organization; by 2020 it was a nationally registered NGO.
Her vision is a Tanzania where safe water, dignified sanitation and menstrual health are guaranteed rights, built through a model that links infrastructure, behavior change and policy advocacy.
Since 2017
Afyaplus was born from a simple idea: no child should miss school because of a lack of clean water, and no girl should have to choose between her dignity and her education. Founded in 2017 by Suzan L. Yumbe, we started as a small community-based organization in rural Tanzania, driven by volunteers who believed that sustainable change begins at the grassroots.
Today, Afyaplus is a registered non-governmental organization working across several regions. We work hand in hand with schools, local governments and international partners to build water systems, establish Safe Pad Labs and deliver health education, guided by evidence and by community voices.
We are more than an NGO: we are a movement of people committed to ensuring that every child, especially girls, can grow up healthy, educated and empowered.
“No girl should have to choose between her dignity and her education.”
We empower communities with sustainable access to clean water and health education, a foundation for long-term wellbeing.
Solutions created with communities, not for them, through participatory approaches that respect local knowledge.
Projects built for long-term impact, with local water committees and health workers trained to keep systems running.
Programs that reduce the burden on women and girls, giving them time for education and economic activities.
Key milestones from a small volunteer group to a registered NGO with an office in Dodoma.
Suzan L. Yumbe founds Afyaplus as a community-based organization with a small team of volunteers.
Officially registered under the NGO Act, focusing on WASH, nutrition and women's empowerment.
A fundraiser to improve water storage in 25 government schools in Iringa region.
Malala Fund support for girls' menstrual health; five handwashing stations built; 1,265 girls trained to make reusable pads.
The 3rd WASH Gala; 15 school Safe Pad Labs set up, producing 5,685 pads.
A new office in Dodoma, expansion to Mbeya and Dodoma, the Strategic Plan 2025 to 2030, and 57,796 girls reached across 92 schools.
Suzan L. Yumbe, our Founder and Executive Director, speaking at a dialogue at the United Nations.
Your support brings clean water, dignity and health education to more children, girls and women in Tanzania.
