Business
Two African innovators awarded $250,000
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Kenyan Sam Agutu and Nigerian Aminu Gamawa come from different countries and backgrounds, they share a common passionate commitment – to save the lives of women giving birth and guarantee infants a healthy start.
Agutu’s sister died in childbirth on the way to the hospital. Gamawa’s mother died in childbirth too. Both men say the deaths were avoidable if better care had been available. They’ve channeled that devastating loss into powerful motivation to improve the odds for women and their babies.
Both innovators will receive US$ 250,000 seed grant from the Saving Lives at Birth partnership, which includes Grand Challenges Canada, USAID, the Government of Norway, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Bank.