Mariam’s fight against silent threats in Zanzibar

Before dawn breaks over the lush fields of Kianga in Zanzibar, Mariam Mohamed is already awake. At 42, she is a farmer, a homemaker, a small entrepreneur—and the devoted mother of twelve children.

Her life is a delicate balance of nurturing, providing, and protecting, all while dreaming of a brighter future for her family.

“I do my best to raise them well,” she says softly, “because they are the future, and one day I might depend on them.”

Her mornings begin with care: checking if her children slept well, planning their meals, and tending to anyone who feels unwell.

But life in Kianga is not without challenges. Surrounded by rivers and valleys, the community faces constant threats from waterborne diseases like schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis.

These illnesses creep silently into families and Mariam has seen the toll firsthand: “Schistosomiasis affects children in many ways, they become physically weak and can no longer enjoy playing with others. Sometimes, they ask questions like, ‘Why am I urinating blood?’”

Working alongside the Ministry of Health, Unlimit Health has been working in Zanzibar for many years delivering treatment to school aged children and adults. But up until now there has been no suitable treatment for preschoolers.

For Mariam, hope comes in the form of a new treatment for infants—a simple solution with the power to change lives. Unlimit Health as part of the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium has developed a new treatment that is suitable for pre-school aged children. It’s smaller, less bitter and dissolves in water.

“Prevention is better than cure,” she insists. “If we can protect them early, we save them from suffering later.” Her gratitude extends far beyond Kianga to those working tirelessly to make these treatments available. “Please keep supporting us,” she says. “Our children are the future generation.”

Despite the hardships, Mariam dreams big. She wants her children to have an education, a better home, and opportunities she never had. “I started life in a mud house,” she reflects. “I want my children to say, ‘We didn’t have much, but we have something to be proud of.’”