AMID the walls of newborns and anxious whispers of mothers in Labour, Joyce Mhango, a 26-year-old volunteer midwife at Chawama Level One Hospital moves quietly from bed to bed, not with medicine but with a comb.
She braids mothers’ hair, cracks jokes and offers a calm presence, all to help mothers breathe easier and feel less afraid.
Mhango, who has been volunteering for three years at Chawama hospital, believes that small acts of kindness can transform the experience of childbirth.
“I plait mothers’ hair to help them relax in labour. Sometimes, a little care goes a long way,” she shared with #Kalemba in an interview.
With this simple yet profound gesture, Mhango has touched the hearts of countless women, proving that midwifery is as much about compassion as it is about skill.
Her care extends far beyond the delivery room. She comforts anxious mothers, provides guidance, and sometimes even shares small essentials with those who arrive with nothing.
Mhango shared that nursing wasn’t her dream, revealing that she wanted to join the army but her mother and sister encouraged her to pursue nursing – a profession she now places close to her heart.
She trained at Chikankata College of Nursing and Midwifery, completing her course in 2021 and graduating in 2022.
In October 2022, she began volunteering at Chawama to gain experience and quickly developed a strong attachment to the mothers she serves.
“At Chawama, volunteers are treated like permanent staff, this makes it easier to learn and contribute fully,” she said.
She shared that her compassion also extends to mothers who arrive with no clothes or baby supplies.
“If I have something small, I share.
Sometimes I think that if I had more money, I would help even more,” she stated.
Her dedication earned her the volunteer midwife of the year award on December 30, 2025, chosen from over 100 volunteers.
Then award was presented by Medical Superintendent Dr Raphael Nzoolo and Public Health Specialist Dr Muyembe.
“I don’t feel like I’m a volunteer anymore. I feel like I’m one of them. I am so happy and I love it here. This award strengthens me and other volunteers so we can remain dedicated, because it shows others they are part of something meaningful,” she said.
Despite being unpaid, Mhango said the gratitude from mothers keeps her going, recalling a mother who followed her home a year after delivery, bringing a cake as a thank-you.
She revealed that others recognise her on the streets or keep her number for advice long after leaving the hospital.
“Even if I don’t get paid, the difference I make in someone’s life is priceless,” she said, urging upcoming midwives to focus on passion, dedication, and humanity.
She further called on upcoming midwives to remember that their efforts make a meaningful difference in the lives of mothers and babies.
By Sharon Zulu
Kalemba January 5, 2026
