Well On Their Way | Maternal and
Newborn Health in Gulu District, Uganda
A Healthy Start
for Every Mother and Baby
Well On Their Way believes that no matter where in the world a pregnant woman presents to deliver her baby, she should leave that facility alive and in good health, with a healthy baby in her arms. That belief drives our work in Gulu District, Uganda — training midwives, strengthening health facilities, and supporting community health workers to make safe birth a reality for every family.
Impact Numbers
Since March 2026, WOtW-trained midwives in Gulu District, Uganda have performed the following obstetric ultrasound scans — bringing advanced diagnostic care to mothers who would otherwise have none.
Updated hourly from live field data.
Why this Work Matters
The first 28 days of life are the most dangerous for a child. Almost half of all under-five deaths happen in this window. In 2022, that meant millions of newborns lost before they had a chance.
Neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births (2022):
Our Mission
Our mission at Well On Their Way is to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes in Gulu District, Uganda, by building the clinical skills of frontline healthcare providers — midwives, nurses, and clinical officers — in partnership with the Gulu District Ministry of Health.
Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for about 30% of the world’s births but more than half (57%) of all deaths in children under five. Good care from trained midwives makes a measurable difference — women who receive continuous care from qualified midwives are less likely to lose their babies and less likely to deliver prematurely.
Built for the Frontline
Our work began in 2011 under an earlier maternal health initiative. In 2023, we became an independent nonprofit focused on maternal and newborn health: Well On Their Way (WOtW). We work in Gulu District, northern Uganda — a community of approximately 135,000 people still rebuilding after the 20-year conflict with the Lord’s Resistance Army. Today, the entire district is served by only two physicians. Frontline care is delivered by midwives, nurses, and clinical officers. These are the people WOtW is here to support.
Our Three Programs
We focus on three interconnected programs that together strengthen the full continuum of maternal and newborn care in Gulu District, Uganda.
Obstetric Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS)
Training midwives in diagnostic ultrasound
Village Health Team Training
Empowering Community Health Workers
Sustaining Clinical Skills for Frontline Providers
Helping Mothers/Babies Survive
From the Field
Shades of Gray: Ultrasound Training in Uganda
Accurate pregnancy dating can transform prenatal care. Through point-of-care ultrasound training in Uganda, midwives are gaining the tools to identify risks earlier, encourage earlier prenatal visits, and support healthier outcomes for mothers and babies. Read More >
A New Window Into Pregnancy Care: A Midwife’s Ultrasound Journey
My recent training on Point-of-Care Ultrasound has been a very meaningful step in improving the care I provide to mothers and babies. Before this training, many assessments during pregnancy relied mainly on physical examination and the mother’s clinical presentation. Read More >
Partnering with Master Midwives
Training implementation involves close collaboration with a group of highly skilled Ugandan midwives to ensure that each training is consistent with Ugandan Ministry of Health guidelines and applicable to the realities of the setting in which the health care providers work. The US and Ugandan teams combine medical knowledge, donated materials and established training programs with Ministry of Health guidelines and social/cultural frameworks to create broadly applicable training programs. The US and Ugandan teams are proud of our project, as it is built on a foundation of collaboration based on shared respect, planning and decision making, with the vision of ensuring that every mother and baby gets off to a healthy start.
15 Years of Impact
From our first training in 2011 to ultrasound care in remote health centers today — a glimpse of the journey.
How you can help
Through our Trainer of Trainer model, we empower nurses, midwives, and clinical officers to deliver safe and effective care during labor and delivery. Our training programs are developed in close partnership with skilled Ugandan midwives, aligning with Ministry of Health guidelines and reflecting the local context. By combining medical expertise, donated resources, and a spirit of collaboration, we strive to give every mother and baby the healthy start they deserve. Support our mission by making a donation today.
Your gift changes lives
Donate By Check
Make checks payable to Humanitarian Social Innovations (HSI) and include “Well On Their Way” in the memo line.
301 Broadway, Suite 301
Bethlehem PA 18015
Memo: Well On Their Way
Donate by Wire Transfer
For electronic transfers, please reach out and we’ll provide the details you need to give securely.
