LFAM Patrons: Transformative Voices of Change
Life for African Mothers is profoundly honoured to be supported by exceptional patrons who embody extraordinary commitment to social justice and healthcare. Our patrons are distinguished leaders who have dedicated their lives to addressing critical challenges in maternal health and human rights. Through their remarkable work and international recognition, they bring expertise and passionate support to our mission of reducing maternal mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Our History: Saving mothers and babies lives since 2005!
Dr Grace Kodindo
Dr Grace Kodindo is a Chadian obstetrician, globally recognised advocate, and tireless champion for maternal health, whose transformative work directly inspired the founding of Life for African Mothers.
Born in 1960 in Doba, Chad, she trained in medicine at the Université de Montréal and specialised in gynaecology in Sudan, later returning to Chad to tackle its dire maternal mortality crisis. Working at Chad’s main maternity hospital in N’Djamena, she played a significant role in reducing childbirth deaths, a success highlighted in the 2005 BBC documentary Dead Mums Don’t Cry. This documentary moved our CEO, Angela Gorman, to establish this charity.
Her advocacy persisted in conflict zones, as seen in Grace Under Fire (2009), focusing on reproductive care in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Dr Kodindo has taught at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, collaborated with the RAISE Initiative, and received the 2009 Millennium Development Goal Torch from Denmark.
Her lifelong commitment to maternal care is why we are tremendously honoured to welcome her as our patron.
Mpho Tutu van Furth
The Reverend Canon Mpho Tutu van Furth is an Episcopal priest, accomplished author, public speaker, and dedicated advocate whose life’s work reflects a deep commitment to social justice and empowerment, making her an inspiring voice for Life for African Mothers.
Ordained in 2003, she began preaching at the historic Christ Church in Alexandria, Virginia. Currently, she is an Episcopal priest and serves as the canon missioner for Beloved Community in the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe, ministering at the All Saints mission congregation in Amsterdam.
As the founding executive director of the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation (2011–2016), she championed equality and human rights, while her co-founding of the Tutu Teach Foundation with her wife Marceline underscores her passion for uplifting women and girls.
Mpho Tutu van Furth has co-authored influential books with her father, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, including Made for Goodness: And Why This Makes All the Difference and The Book of Forgiving: The Fourfold Path for Healing Ourselves and Our World, while Tutu: The Authorised Portrait was co-authored with journalist Allister Sparks. As a seasoned public speaker, she has shared platforms with luminaries like the Dalai Lama, Eckhart Tolle, Ken Robinson, and others.
Angela Gorman, CEO of Life for African Mothers, first met Mpho, the charity’s patron, in 2012 during a conference workshop on Human Rights in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Angela spent the week with Mpho and her family. The two women also met up when she and her father, Archbishop Desmond Tutu— Nobel Peace Prize laureate and global human rights icon, visited Cardiff in October 2012 and again in 2013 when Mpho visited London. It was clear from their first meeting, that Mpho is passionate about the wellbeing of women and girls.
Her global advocacy and non-profit leadership powerfully support our mission to improve maternal health in Sub-Saharan Africa.
