About Us
We Didn't Start With a Program.
We Started By Listening.
Mama Respond was founded on a simple belief: the people closest to a challenge are the ones with the greatest insight into how it can be solved.
When we first began working in Kajiado County, Kenya, in 2013, we met families whose children with disabilities had never received a diagnosis or accessed healthcare. Many children simply stayed at home, unable to attend school or reach their full potential.
So we responded.
We helped families access hospitals, assessments, and treatment. For some children, this meant they could return to mainstream education.
So we responded again.
We established what has become the only comprehensive special needs unit in Kajiado County, creating a place where children with disabilities can learn, grow and thrive.
So we responded once more.
our work grew, we realised something even more important.
Supporting children meant supporting their mothers.
Families told us they felt isolated, overwhelmed, and lacked opportunities to connect with others facing similar challenges.
Then another challenge emerged.
Many children couldn't physically get to school because they had no suitable mobility equipment for the rugged terrain.
So we responded.
Strong Mamas began with just twelve women gathering each week. Today, it has grown into a thriving community where more than 200 mothers support one another weekly, develop leadership skills, participate in income-generating initiatives, and become advocates for disability inclusion within their own communities.
We established what has become the only comprehensive special needs unit in Kajiado County, creating a place where children with disabilities can learn, grow and thrive.
While our work was growing in Kenya, we were also listening to families here in Australia.
Parents and carers shared many of the same experiences - social isolation, difficulty accessing inclusive opportunities, and a desire for genuine connection and support. Once again, we listened.
And we responded.
Today, Mama Respond delivers programs in Perth that bring families together through creativity, community engagement, peer support, and advocacy. We work alongside local governments, businesses, schools, volunteers, and community partners to create more inclusive communities where every family feels seen, valued, and supported.
We listen.
We learn.
Then we respond.
That's why we're called Mama Respond.
Donate Now.
Every donation makes a meaningful difference in the lives of the people around you, helping to empower mothers around the globe and ensuring children live healthier, happier lives.