About Us

Moyo.Life is a non-profit organization with the goal of addressing health disparities by providing excellent cardiovascular healthcare to all patients equally and free of charge. This goal is achieved by training and sustaining local health care providers. Moyo.Life also strives to improve the knowledge of the epidemiology and mechanisms of cardiovascular disease in each country served in order to improve management strategies that are specific for each country. 

OUR MISSION

MOYO.LIFE is dedicated to addressing health disparities by providing exceptional cardiovascular healthcare to all patients, regardless of their financial situation. Our mission is to train and sustain local healthcare providers, ensuring that they are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to offer high-quality cardiac care. By focusing on sustainable knowledge transfer and creating platforms for communication, we aim to improve the epidemiology and management strategies for cardiovascular diseases in each country we serve.

OUR STORY

Founded by Dr. Joanna Ghobrial, MOYO.Life was born out of a deep commitment to equitable healthcare and the belief that every life is valuable. 

"Moyo" means "heart" in Swahili, reflecting our core mission to bring heart health to underserved regions. Through the support of donors, volunteers, and partners like Madaktari Africa, we have achieved significant milestones in East Africa and beyond.

OUR APPROACH

Knowledge Transfer and Training: We believe in the power of education and hands-on training. Our expert volunteer teams work closely with local doctors, nurses, and technicians, providing them with the skills and confidence needed to perform complex cardiac procedures. Through workshops, seminars, and direct mentorship, we foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Medical Missions: Our missions are designed to address immediate healthcare needs while building long-term capacity. We bring together multidisciplinary teams of cardiologists, surgeons, and anesthesiologists and support staff to perform life-saving interventions and train local teams. Each mission is meticulously planned to ensure maximum impact and sustainability.

Collaboration and Partnerships: Collaboration is at the heart of what we do. We partner with esteemed organizations such as Madaktari Africa and leading medical institutions like the Cleveland Clinic. These partnerships enhance our ability to deliver cutting-edge care and foster a global network of medical professionals committed to our cause.

Resource Provision: Access to advanced medical equipment and consumables is crucial for effective cardiac care. We secure donations from generous partners, including Medtronic, Merit Medical, Asahi, Abbott, Numed, and Toray. These resources enable local hospitals to perform sophisticated procedures and improve patient outcomes.

THE IMPACT

Since our inception, MOYO.LIFE has achieved significant milestones in regions like East Africa. Our missions have included:

• Ethiopia 2017: In collaboration with Chain of Hope, we conducted cardiac surgeries and interventions at the Cardiac Center in Addis Ababa, providing care to children and adults with congenital and rheumatic heart diseases.

• Tanzania 2019: Our first mission to Tanzania focused on establishing a foundation for sustainable heart healthcare. We initiated essential training programs and built strong relationships with local healthcare providers, setting the stage for future advancements.

• Tanzania 2022: Marked by the most successful consecutive mitral valvuloplasty procedures in East Africa, this mission highlighted the growing proficiency and independence of local medical teams.

• Tanzania 2024: A historic milestone with the first-ever Melody valve procedure in East Africa, transforming the lives of two patients, including a teenager named Baraka. This mission emphasized sustainable knowledge transfer and local empowerment.

Are you passionate about what we're doing? Let us know! We are always looking for volunteers to help us make our vision a reality. We'll help you find a way to volunteer that best suits you. We're excited to have you join the team!

Whether you help through monetary donations, volunteering your time, or spreading our mission through word-of-mouth, thank you. We couldn't accomplish our goals without the help of supporters like you.