Learn
Light
Lead
About GreenLamp
GreenLamp was created in response to the call-to-action of Pulitzer Prize winners Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn to address the systemic and endemic abuse of women throughout the developing world in Half The Sky: How to change the world.
Our founders recognised rural Ethiopia as a key area in which significant impact could be achieved, particularly in terms of maternal health and corresponding education and economic opportunities. There are less than 650 obstetricians/gynaecologists in the country and approximately 18,000 trained midwives for a population of over 120 million (1).
In rural areas especially, women have extremely limited access to quality healthcare and family planning resources. Maternal mortality rates are among the highest in Africa and the world at 353 female deaths per 100,000, compared with 5 per 100,000 (2) in Switzerland. Lack of medical support also results in increased infant mortality, long-term health problems for mothers, and subsequent social stigma. Unreliable or non-existent power supplies further endanger women in labour.
We established our grass-roots Zurich-based group in 2012 and our Swedish team in 2020 to address these issues, and have been working to fund and support community-based projects that contribute to improving access to healthcare, education and economic opportunities for women and girls in rural Ethiopia. We have adopted a holistic approach: training midwives, empowering women to become role models, and ensuring safer, more dignified labour conditions.
GreenLamp aims at all times to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals in the most impactful way possible, with a focus on goals:
Vision
A bright future for women and their communities
We believe in a world where women and girls have access to quality healthcare, education, economic opportunities and their full rights, empowering them to live with agency and dignity.
“If you want to unlock the most progress for the most people, start by investing in women and girls” – Melinda Gates
Mission
We initiate and support projects with local partners to create equal opportunities for women.
We provide midwifery scholarships to young Ethiopian women, sustainable solar systems to rural health centers, leadership training and career opportunities through our holistic program pillars Learn, Light and Lead.
Values
Guiding Principles
We are passionate about women-led systemic change, and we support women’s ability to find their own resources so they can have the freedom to make informed choices. We are independent, inclusive, and do not discriminate on any basis.
Our key values are:
Commitment
Our dedication means we do what we say we are going to do; are accountable to all stakeholders through due diligence; and support supervision and impact studies to ensure maximum impact.
Transparency
We develop trust through open communication, evaluation, monitoring and financial reporting to ensure funds are being used appropriately.
Connection
We work with care, respect and compassion, valuing all views and choices, and ensuring dignity and rights are upheld at all times.
Collaboration
We are in continuous dialogue with our beneficiaries, project partners and also external experts when needed, and develop programmes based on all input.
Sustainability
We focus on long-term impact including capacity-building through education and training as well as enabling local partners to manage projects, and we contribute to environmental sustainability through renewable energy solutions.
Our Team
GreenLamp is a globally-minded organisation, united by our shared vision of empowering women and their communities. Our two boards are supported by a broad spectrum of companies, organisations and individuals who power GreenLamp with practical solutions, local knowledge and financial sponsorship. All our board members, advisors and contributors are volunteers: click on a photo to get introduced.
Switzerland Team
Christina Blecher
Board Member
Christina Blecher
Board Member
Christina is the inspiration behind GreenLamp. Christina draws on her wide network to build important relationships and lead vital fundraising. Christina has an overview on all GreenLamp activities and, driven by her passion for social justice, she leads with determination and an acute sense of responsibility for all that we do.
Hellen Hipsagh
Treasurer
Hellen Hipsagh
Treasurer
Hellen is passionate about using the skills she’s acquired over a 20-year career as a Certified Accountant to positively impact the lives of others. Having recently completed a master’s degree at the University of London in professional Accounting, her focus is now on giving back to other women and girls. Born in Uganda, Hellen is familiar with the challenges faced by women in rural areas especially when it comes to social inequality and childbirth. Hellen is very proud to work with GreenLamp and be part of making a direct impact to women in Ethiopia.
Henriette Becker
Board Member
Henrietter Blecker
Board Member
Henriette heads up the organisation of GreenLamp’s events with her typically cool, calm and collected approach. Passionate yet meticulous, she can always be relied on for fresh ideas and practical solutions. Henriette is one of our founding sisters, and her nursing background, German language skills and familiarity with all things Swiss make her an invaluable asset to our team.
Joanna Boyd
President
Joanna Boyd
President
Joanna has been a GreenLamp Member since our inception and is passionate about our vision. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant who loves a challenge and is involved with all aspects of our work, from strategic workshops to fundraising and project work. She recently completed her Masters Degree in Charity Financial Management and Grant-making from the CASS Business School in London, adding to the expertise she brings to our work.
Kathleen Hedman
Projects
Kathleen Hedman
Projects
Kathleen brings stability on board and jumps in wherever needed. An independent thinker able to work and be part of the ever-developing GreenLamp team, Kathleen is there to make a difference to the communities we support. Her depth of knowledge of board processes and methodology are a great asset to the team. Flexibility is key for her. When confronted with a challenge, Kathleen faces it head on and gets things done practically and objectively.
Linda Elzvik
Vice President
Linda Elzvik
Vice President
Linda devotes her energy toward Communications, Fundraising, Customer Relationship Management, and Events. She is a tireless advocate for GreenLamp, and loves teaming up with board colleagues and volunteers to move our mission forward. She derives great joy from contributing because she believes that a woman with an education has a chance at self-determination and can be a role model for others.
Valéria Akroyd
Board Member
Valeria Akroyd
Board Member
Donations are critical to our work, and Valeria brings a wealth of fundraising experience along with some impressive business acumen acquired over twenty years of working in international trade. A strong team player, she is passionate about women’s rights and maternal health and welcomes the chance to share her skills for a cause close to her heart.
Sweden Team
Camilla Sjösten Lohmander
Board Member
Camilla Sjösten Lohmander
Board Member
Camilla is a solution-oriented and outward-looking globetrotter. With more than 30 years of experience in global roles in the pharmaceutical industry and a background as an anaesthesia nurse; building medical networks, marketing and medical event planning have become Camilla’s specialties. She feels that she has had many privileges in life and has a strong desire to give back to society, so Camilla did not hesitate when she was asked to join GreenLamp Sweden’s board and contribute to change.
Christina Blecher
Board Member
Christina Blecher
Board Member
Christina has a fiery soul and is the initiator of GreenLamp. Through her board positions in both GreenLamp Switzerland and GreenLamp Sweden, Christina has an overview of the entire organisation. She takes responsibility for our overall strategy and contributes greatly through her active networking and relationship building. With a passion for social justice, she leads GreenLamp with determination and a great sense of responsibility.
Kicki Svarén
Board Member
Kicki Svarén
Board Member
An empathetic and solution-oriented doer, Kicki has great experience of different cultures and societal issues through extensive professional and private travel, which has encouraged her to do her part in making the world a better place. Kicki has previous experience with supporting non profit-organisations, and has worked 20+ years where she has proven her great eye for detail and co–ordination capability; invaluable for her work collaborating with and developing GreenLamp.
Maria Gårdemyr
President
Maria Gårdemyr
President
Maria is an experienced professional, and a driven and goal-oriented team leader with a positive attitude. She strives to achieve high quality and integrity in her work. Maria became involved in the start-up of GreenLamp Switzerland while she was living there and was its treasurer for several years. When Maria moved back to her home country Sweden she wanted to continue contributing to GreenLamp’s important work so established GreenLamp Sweden, and is now its Chair.
Marie-Louise Rexö
Board Member
Marie-Louise Rexö
Board Member
A committed and relationship-building lawyer who puts people in focus. Long experience in HR roles in various organizations, in recent years mainly in Life Science. After many years of supporting various charitable organizations, Marie-Louise is now taking the next step and contributing on a more direct and personal level to women’s empowerment. By being an active part of the GreenLamp board, Marie-Louise wants to contribute to generating life-changing opportunities for women and their families in rural Ethiopia.
You can visit our Sweden website for information about GreenLamp Sweden in Swedish
Advisors & Contributors
Daniel Blecker
CRM
Daniel Blecker
CRM
Daniel is a university student studying political science at UCLA. He is helping manage our stakeholder data, and has great technical and problem-solving skills.
Denise Eigenmann
Midwifery
Denise Eigenmann
Midwifery
As a practising midwife, and a senior lecturer and skills trainer at The University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Denise enjoys exchanging knowledge with the Hamlin College of Midwives (HCM). She is inspired by Ethiopia’s hardworking midwives and mothers, and was key to establishing our collaboration with ZHAW and HCM promoting upright birthing positions.
Inger Wulf
Physical Therapist
Inger Wulf
Physical Therapist
Inger loves to contribute to the energy and joy she finds in our work. She uses her skills as a Physiotherapy teacher to provide workshops in Pelvic Floor Exercises for midwifery students at the Hamlin College of Midwives. She is a loyal GreenLamp Member, supporter and advocate for our messages.
Karin Ranstrand
Co-founder and Projects
Karin Ranstrand
Co-founder and Projects
Karin has contributed her extensive project management and relationship building skills to GreenLamp over many years. As one of our founding board members she provides invaluable knowledge and know-how to help with our project work.
Lennart Blecher
Strategy
Lennart Blecher
Strategy
Lennart is Deputy Managing Partner of EQT and Head of EQT Real Assets. His keen strategic mind is invaluable in helping us shape both our structure and strategic approach.
Lizanne Atherly
Fundraising and Events
Lizanne Atherly
Fundraising and Events
Lizanne finds daily inspiration in helping ventures that have a disruptive and positive impact on the world to tell their story and achieve long-term growth. She brings this enthusiasm to GreenLamp by helping to define fundraising goals and planning engaging events to help achieve these goals.
Lucas Pfister
IT
Lucas Pfister
IT
Lucas is a Salesforce developer who is always looking for ways to give back to the community and find simple solutions to complex problems. His Salesforce skills are being put to good use helping GreenLamp with streamlining our technology set-up.
Mari Russi
GreenLamp Ambassador
Mari Russi
GreenLamp Ambassador
Mari is a great advocate for our messages and has been a wonderful moderator at our events. She has been a long-time supporter – right from the start in 2012!
Pauline Lindwall
Strategy
Mari Russi
Strategy
Pauline’s international professional experience in change management and business start-ups has proved hugely helpful to GreenLamp. She encourages us to aim for best practice across all our activities.
Vera Maria Probst
Midwifery
Vera Maria Probst
Midwifery
Vera Maria initially collaborated with Greenlamp by giving workshops to midwives and students on the benefits of upright birthing positions at the Hamlin College of Midwives. As a passionate midwife she offers her professional experience, skills and perspective to the GreenLamp team.
Veronica Blecker
Social Media & Film
Veronica Blecker
Social Media & Film
As an empathetic and curious filmmaker and photographer, Veronica uses her extensive creative and technical skills to help GreenLamp bring our stories to life through short documentaries and social media, as well as contributing to our online fundraising initiatives.
Implementation Partners
We are indebted to the skills and support of all our implementation partners. They supply us with sustainable technology and co-lead implementation to ensure reliable lighting and electricity in health centres, provide tertiary education in midwifery, as well as assisting with selecting suitable health facilities, building government relationships, monitoring and evaluation, and help us to expand our reach to improve maternal and newborn health.
Hamlin College of Midwives
Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia (HFE), founded by Drs. Catherine and Reginald Hamlin in 1972, was set up to provide free surgery to women affected by traumatic birth injuries that result in immense suffering and social stigma. The Hamlin College of Midwives in Addis Ababa was established by HFE in 2007 to prevent such injuries, and students complete a rigorous 4-year course in theory and practice, culminating in a Bachelor of Science in Midwifery, before returning to their own communities to work in health centres and clinics. GreenLamp provides scholarships and supports these young rural women so they can complete their studies.
St. Luke’s College of Nursing and Midwifery Ethiopia
St. Luke Catholic Hospital and College of Nursing and Midwifery is situated in Wolisso, the capital of the Southwest Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional State. The hospital opened in 2001, and the College of Nursing and Midwifery of St. Luke Hospital makes a significant contribution to support local health, giving mothers better access to professional maternal health services and preventing childbirth complications. GreenLamp provides scholarships for young rural women from this area so they can complete their midwifery studies at the college.
St. Luke’s College of Nursing and Midwifery Ethiopia
St. Luke Catholic Hospital and College of Nursing and Midwifery is situated in Wolisso, the capital of the Southwest Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional State. The hospital opened in 2001, and the College of Nursing and Midwifery of St. Luke Hospital makes a significant contribution to support local health, giving mothers better access to professional maternal health services and preventing childbirth complications. GreenLamp provides scholarships for young rural women from this area so they can complete their midwifery studies at the college.
We Care Solar
We Care Solar aims to improve antenatal care and reduce maternal mortality in developing regions via its We Care Solar Suitcase®. These portable, sustainable, easy-to-use power units generate clean energy and charging facilities for medical lighting, cell phones and small medical devices such as foetal dopplers. GreenLamp has a long-standing partnership with We Care Solar, and partners with Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia to install and supervise the We Care Solar Suitcases, helping to “light every birth” in rural Ethiopian health centres.
Solar Energy Foundation
The Solar Energy Foundation (SEF) is a network of social-oriented and profit-oriented organisations working together to achieve the goal of sustainable energy access. In 2021 we entered into a new phase with SEF, involving the installation and maintenance of 20+ enhanced solar systems, each with two life-saving fridges and additional lighting. CEO Samson Tsegaye helps GreenLamp not only with the installations, but also to ensure all solar systems are properly used by leading the training for midwives and technical staff, as well as taking care of all the maintenance and battery replacements.
Solar Energy Foundation
The Solar Energy Foundation (SEF) is a network of social-oriented and profit-oriented organisations working together to achieve the goal of sustainable energy access. In 2021 we entered into a new phase with SEF, involving the installation and maintenance of 20+ enhanced solar systems, each with two life-saving fridges and additional lighting. CEO Samson Tsegaye helps GreenLamp not only with the installations, but also to ensure all solar systems are properly used by leading the training for midwives and technical staff, as well as taking care of all the maintenance and battery replacements.
Simien Mountains Mobile Medical Service
The Simien Mountains Mobile Medical Service (SMMMS) delivers essential medical care to remote villages in the Simien Mountains in Amhara Region, to develop a “Health Centre of Excellence” in each district. GreenLamp provides funding for a Women’s Project Coordinator, a valuable role to mentor and orchestrate the capabilities and skills development of health centre staff in the area.
Atsede Clinic
The Atsede Clinic provides compassionate, knowledgeable, and skilled healthcare and healing in the heart of rural Gurage zone, south-western Ethiopia. GreenLamp funds the clinic’s Project STONE, which aims to improve the skill set of the midwives working in the SNNPR region of Ethiopia focusing on management of obstetric and neonatal emergencies.
Atsede Clinic
The Atsede Clinic provides compassionate, knowledgeable, and skilled healthcare and healing in the heart of rural Gurage zone, south-western Ethiopia. GreenLamp funds the clinic’s Project STONE, which aims to improve the skill set of the midwives working in the SNNPR region of Ethiopia focusing on management of obstetric and neonatal emergencies.
Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften | ZHAW
GreenLamp co-funds and supports a teacher exchange program to foster knowledge sharing between The Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) in Winterthur, Switzerland and Hamlin College of Midwives in Ethiopia. The program launched in March 2017, when MSc in Midwifery and ZHAW senior lecturer Denise Eigenmann spent three months in Ethiopia teaching upright birthing positions at the Hamlin College of Midwives and visiting rural health centres. The programme continues on an annual basis with teacher visits between the two learning institutions.
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WEEMA International
WEEMA International: Pioneering Local Implementation for the GreenLamp & Ferring Holistic Community Programme in Southern Ethiopia
In the dynamic landscape of Kembata-Tembaro Zone, Southern Ethiopia, WEEMA International takes the lead as the Ethiopian implementing partner for the GreenLamp & Ferring Holistic Community Programme. Operating at the intersection of local expertise and global vision, WEEMA plays a pivotal role in ensuring the seamless execution and success of this transformative initiative.
Learn more
WEEMA’s responsibilities span local project coordination and the cultivation of relationships with Regional and Zonal health bureaus, facilitating a collaborative approach to community development. At the heart of their efforts is the employment and meticulous management of midwife mentors, individuals with profound expertise and Master’s qualifications. These mentors not only conduct essential health centre needs analyses but also collect baseline data critical for measuring the programme’s impact.
Beyond administrative prowess, WEEMA’s midwife mentors, as experienced practitioners, deliver indispensable training and support for local midwives. Their outreach services, encompassing family planning and ultrasounds, exemplify a commitment to holistic healthcare that extends beyond conventional boundaries.
WEEMA International’s impact extends beyond the GreenLamp & Ferring initiative. With a strong foothold in rural communities across southwestern Ethiopia, they spearhead initiatives ranging from providing safe water to delivering life-saving healthcare, ensuring quality education, fostering micro-financing opportunities, and creating economic prospects.
WEEMA Ethiopia is entirely staffed by Ethiopians, boasting a field office in Mudula Town with over 30 dedicated employees, a country office in Addis Ababa comprising 20 staff members. The head office in Boston has four staff. Together, they embody a harmonious blend of local insight and global impact, working towards a brighter and healthier future for the communities they serve.
We are also indebted to the skills and support of Dr Adamu Addissie of Addis Ababa University and the Regional Health Bureaus of Ethiopia. Our partnerships with educational institutions enrich the know-how of our local Ethiopian midwives in many ways.
Our Funders & Supporters
Our initiatives would not be possible without the incredible generosity of our funders and supporters. If your business or organisation is interested in the great positive power of Strategic Philanthropy and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), or would like GreenLamp to give an introductory presentation to your team, please contact us.
Our Members
Through their annual contribution, and by essentially being the “rock” of our community, GreenLamp Members are crucial in helping us make a difference. They motivate us, support us, generate new ideas, and help us to advance our goals and make a greater impact for women and girls in rural Ethiopia. We are incredibly grateful to them all.
Through our exclusive Membership Circle events, GreenLamp Members have the opportunity to meet like-minded people and get to know us and the multi-faceted work we do in Ethiopia. Membership also provides advance notice and discounted ticket prices for all events.
Reports
At GreenLamp we believe in ambitious goals and full accountability. Below you’ll find links to our annual reports and strategic plans.
Become a Member
Members are the ‘rocks’ of our community, they motivate us, support us, generate new ideas, and help us to advance our goals and make a greater impact. If you want to meet like-minded people, get to know us and the multi-faceted work we do through our exclusive Membership Circle events, then please sign-up and join us.
Volunteer with Us
Volunteers are the lifeblood of GreenLamp, contributing their skills, time and networks to create a team that punches above its weight. If you have a specific area of expertise or skill-set that you think could benefit GreenLamp, we’d love to hear from you. We especially appreciate volunteers providing surge capacity around our events where we need all hands on deck.