From Unaware to Empowered: How Nomadic Mothers Are Driving Vaccine Uptake in Dollow.

In the nomadic camps and settlements of Gedo region, discussions among mothers usually revolve around rain, pasture, and water for their families and animals. For many, the concept of vaccines was completely unknown. That changed when Vision Corps Initiative (VCI), with support from EMPHNET, introduced care group mother sessions in Dollow district.
One of the participants, Abdia Mohamed, a 25-year-old mother of four, recalls her first session at the Sarmanley nomadic camp. “Throughout my life, I had never attended any gathering except weddings. This was the first time I heard about vaccines that prevent diseases like polio, TB, and measles,” she shared. Using flip books and simple pictorials, care group mothers explained how immunization, exclusive breastfeeding, and hygiene can protect families.
During the session, the outreach team used a simple but powerful example. “They asked us to collect sticks. Alone, a stick could easily be broken, but together in a bundle, they could not. This showed us how vaccines work when all children are vaccinated, they are stronger and protected during outbreaks. That lesson made me decide to vaccinate all my children,” Abdia said.
Care group mothers are selected based on their interpersonal communication skills and their experience as trusted community figures, often traditional birth attendants. This unique selection ensures they can connect with expectant mothers and newborns, creating a bridge between health services and nomadic families who are often marginalized and underserved.
The impact has been remarkable. During recent Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs), Abdia and her peers took an active role in mobilization, reaching 262 nomadic households and delivering key immunization messages to 849 mothers. Their grassroots efforts have significantly improved uptake in communities that once relied solely on traditional healers.
“I will devote my free time to mobilize my community for immunization activities,” Abdia affirmed. “Our children deserve the same chance to be healthy as any child in the world. As a neighborhood mother in the care group model, I want to be a hero by championing inclusive access to health services for all, including nomadic populations.”
Through the dedication of Vision Corps Initiative and the support of EMPHNET, the care group model is transforming attitudes, increasing immunization coverage, and proving that even in the most hard-to-reach areas, communities can take ownership of their health and safeguard the next generation.