Empowering vulnerable communities to rise from poverty to wellbeing

Our vision

At Common Wellbeing, we envision thriving communities where the transformational impact of our work is evident in all aspects of life. In these communities, families are healthy, children are educated, and opportunities for growth abound. These are places where clean water flows, nutritious food is abundant, and sustainable livelihoods flourish. We see empowered individuals actively engaged in decision-making, driving their own development. Through our collaborative efforts, community members are equipped with knowledge, skills, and resources to overcome challenges, create lasting change, and build a brighter future. Together, we are creating communities where every person can unleash their full potential and enjoy a life of dignity, wellbeing, and prosperity.

Our mission

Advancing wellbeing in vulnerable Zambian communities through collective learning, discovery, and action

About Common Wellbeing

Common Wellbeing is an organization dedicated to empowering vulnerable communities in Zambia. We focus on two main areas: community health and sustainable development. By providing grants, implementing projects, and sharing knowledge, we work to enhance the overall wellbeing of these communities. Our approach is community-driven, ensuring that the solutions we develop are tailored to the specific needs and aspirations of each community. We believe in the power of collective learning, discovery, and action to create lasting positive change and promote thriving community wellbeing.

How we do it

At Common Wellbeing, we provide grants, implement projects, and share knowledge to enhance community health and sustainable development.

Grants

We provide grants to gain insights from established NGOs, improve our impact, and empower other organizations to advance their missions in community health and sustainable development.

Projects

We empower vulnerable communities by equipping them with the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources through our projects. By fostering self-reliance and ownership, we enable communities to drive their own development, creating sustainable and transformative change from within.

Learnings

We openly share our learnings to empower others. By sharing insights gained from our grants and projects, we enable organizations to advance their missions. We believe in collective efforts and knowledge exchange for lasting positive impact on community wellbeing.

Our approach to wellbeing

  • We believe that learning, discovery, and action are the keys to creating positive change in communities. Through our Learning Grants, we gain valuable insights from others' work. With our Discovery Grants, we explore and innovate alongside partners to find new solutions. Finally, we put what we learn into action by designing and implementing community-driven projects. Together, we continuously learn, collaborate, and take meaningful action to make a lasting impact on community wellbeing.

  • We believe in the power of communities to shape their own future. We listen to their needs and strengths, providing support and guidance along the way. Through education and training, we empower communities with the skills and knowledge for long-lasting change. Our goal is to help communities thrive independently, fostering their resilience and self-reliance. Together, we create a brighter future filled with hope and possibilities.

  • The WIT is a valuable resource created by Common Wellbeing that offers a wide range of proven interventions to address community needs effectively. It allows us to learn from successful grant-funded projects and other sources, identifying effective interventions and documenting their impact. By cataloguing these interventions, we can offer tailored solutions to communities facing similar challenges, promoting lasting positive change. The WIT continuously evolves as we discover new interventions, ensuring we stay innovative and responsive to community needs. With the WIT, we empower communities and enhance their wellbeing by providing effective and scalable solutions.

  • At Common Wellbeing, we believe that having access to quality healthcare is important for the well-being of communities. That's why we work to improve healthcare delivery in mission hospitals. We help mission hospitals get the equipment and supplies they need, provide leadership advice, and offer training programs to strengthen their capacity. We also collaborate with US healthcare systems and supporting organizations to achieve our goals. Our approach focuses on enhancing health systems to improve healthcare outcomes for the communities we serve.

  • We focus on serving vulnerable and marginalized individuals in rural communities across Zambia. These include women, children, and elderly individuals who face limited access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities. These beneficiaries may include subsistence farmers, widows, orphans, and people living with disabilities. By addressing their unique needs, we aim to empower these individuals and uplift their overall wellbeing through our community health and sustainable development initiatives.

  • We prioritize population health by supporting and collaborating with communities, community health workers, referring clinics, and mission hospitals. We empower communities to take ownership of health initiatives, train and support community health workers, establish partnerships with referring clinics for coordinated care, and provide support to mission hospitals. Through this comprehensive approach, we aim to strengthen healthcare delivery, improve health outcomes, and enhance the overall wellbeing of the communities we serve.

  • At Common Wellbeing, we are dedicated to developing and running social enterprises that do two important things: create local jobs and bring positive change to communities. These enterprises generate income to support our work and ensure financial stability. By focusing on social impact, we aim to empower communities economically while tackling social and environmental issues. Our vision is to establish enterprises that align with our mission, promoting community wellbeing and sustainable development. Together, we can make a difference by creating positive change, boosting local economies, and building self-reliant communities.

Our people

At Common Wellbeing, we are driven by the passion and dedication of our diverse team of staff, volunteers, advisors, board members and partners each coming together to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable rural communities in Zambia. Together, we share a common goal of empowering individuals and fostering community transformation. With our collective expertise and commitment to learning, we strive to create sustainable change and promote the wellbeing of those we serve.Our people are the heart and soul of our organization, working tirelessly to ensure that every community has the opportunity to rise from poverty to wellbeing.

  • Chilala Mayanda

    BOARD SECRETARY

  • John Schroer

    BOARD MEMBER

  • Margo Reiner

    COFOUNDER

  • Dr. Peter Julius

    BOARD MEMBER

  • Rees Reiner

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    & BOARD TREASURER

  • Scott Reiner

    COFOUNDER
    & BOARD CHAIRMAN

  • Ali Reiner Trolsrud

    COMMUNICATIONS
    & PHILANTHROPY

  • Ernest Ngulube

    INTERN

  • Ian Banda

    FINANCE & ADMIN
    VOLUNTEER

Why Zambia?

At Common Wellbeing, we have chosen Zambia as our focus country for several compelling reasons. Zambia is a country with immense potential, but it also faces significant challenges, particularly in vulnerable rural communities. By directing our efforts here, we can make a meaningful impact on the lives of those who need it most.

Zambia is home to diverse and vibrant communities that possess incredible resilience and determination. However, poverty, limited access to quality healthcare, and environmental issues pose barriers to their wellbeing. By working in Zambia, we can address these challenges and empower communities to rise above poverty and achieve sustainable development.

Furthermore, Zambia's strong commitment to social development aligns closely with our mission. The government and local organizations are actively working to improve healthcare, promote education, and enhance community empowerment. By partnering with local stakeholders, we can leverage existing efforts and contribute to the larger goal of community wellbeing.

Zambia's rich cultural heritage and natural beauty provide a compelling backdrop for our work. We value the diversity of Zambia's communities and strive to ensure that their unique needs and strengths are recognized and respected in our projects.

Together with the people of Zambia, we aim to foster lasting positive change, create pathways to sustainable development, and empower vulnerable communities to thrive. By focusing our efforts in Zambia, we are committed to making a real difference and building a brighter future for all.

Our grants

  • Sustainable Livelihoods for Youth

    Title: Community Youth-led Climate Change and Livelihood Enhancement (CYCLE) Project

    Project: The CYCLE project aims to protect the environment in Chirundu District by promoting climate-smart livelihoods for vulnerable groups, such as youth, women, and people with disabilities. Activities include raising awareness, providing skills training, and supporting income-generating activities like tree nurseries and energy-saving cookstoves. The project will work with local government departments and intends to increase environmental awareness, establish sustainable livelihoods for households, and build capacity for cooperatives to produce and sell eco-friendly products. This project is being implemented by ADRA Zambia.

  • Mother and Child Nutrition

    Title: Nutrition Improvement Project

    Project: The NIP project aims to reduce malnutrition and stunting among children in targeted communities in Zimba District. It focuses on improving nutritional practices through education, capacity building, and child growth monitoring. Key activities include providing nutrition and hygiene education, supporting home visits and growth monitoring for children under 2 years, offering sustainable livelihood options, and promoting consumption of nutritious local foods. The project engages local health workers and community members as leaders to educate, track growth, and refer malnourished children to clinics or hospitals for appropriate care. This project is being implemented by ADRA Zambia.

  • Solar-Powered Clinics for 24/7 Care

    Title: Solar Power for Health Promotion Project

    Project: The SPHP project seeks to bring electricity to 24 remote health clinics serving 50,000 people across Lukulu District in Zambia. Without access to electricity, these clinics have limited hours of operation and lack the necessary medical equipment and devices to provide effective care. By providing solar-powered systems, the project will enable these clinics to operate 24/7, facilitate the use of medical equipment, and ensure maternal and child health services are available round the clock. The project will save lives by reducing the risk of complications arising from delayed medical attention and increasing access to timely healthcare. This project is being implemented by ADRA Zambia.

Our funding partners

Contact us

We appreciate your interest in Common Wellbeing. Please feel free to contact us regarding any inquiries, collaborations, or support. Together, we can make a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable communities in rural Zambia.