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M-TANO

“M-Tano, in Kiswahili, means 5 words that begin with M. Together they make our mental health first aid action plan.”

Many people struggling with their mental health simply don’t know who to turn to, or where to find support close to home. At The Lady Fatemah Trust, we believe that support should never feel out of reach — it should come from people familiar, close and trusted.

M-Tano is our forthcoming mental health programme in Zanzibar, launching in August 2026 to create Community Mental Health Champions. Locals, imams and village leaders will be trained to deliver mental health first aid — recognising when someone is struggling and providing direct, immediate support. M-Tano builds on the foundations of Pamoja Afya Bora, taking mental health support one step further into sustainable development and wellbeing for Zanzibar’s communities.

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Our Work Shows Progress

Locals, leaders and communal members to be trained as Mental Health Champions within the first year

Districts across Zanzibar targeted for reach

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Training Champions for
Every Community

M-TANO trains Community Champions in mental health — trusted local people, including imams and village leaders to deliver mental health first aid support directly within their own communities. They become equipped to recognise when someone close is struggling. They respond with care, and guide people towards the right support. M-Tano equips people with the practical skills to respond and provide first aid support when someone in their community needs it most. That’s everyday support, taking root, to flourish into a future of wellbeing for all.

These are the 5 action steps of M-Tano:

  • Action 1: Ask, Assess, Act
  • Action 2: Listen without judgement
  • Action 3: Introduce appropriate support and information
  • Action 4: Value self-help strategies, social and spiritual support
  • Action 5: Encourage access to available professional help
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Your Support Will

Train Community Champions

You’ll help trusted local people learn to provide mental health first aid support to their neighbours.

Improve Accessibility and Support

You’ll help Champions guide people towards the right services, faster.

Strengthen Local Capacity

You’ll help build community-owned support that continues to ripple into the future.

– A Story of Care

Communities Who Honour Wellbeing

The people best placed to support a community are often already part of it. That’s the belief behind M-TANO. We train Community Champions, imams and village leaders. Support starts to feel close, familiar, never far away — neighbours committed to looking out for one another.

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What’s Next for M-TANO?

Anchored in LFT’s vision for sustainable impact, M-Tano hopes to continuously promote positive wellbeing into the fabric of Zanzibar’s communities. Beyond launch, we will be introducing Youth Mental Health Champions, for young people to support the wellbeing of their peers. We’re also integrating mental health awareness into Mandeleo Plus, LFT’s sustainable farming project. Wellbeing, embedded across our wider community work.

Support M-TANO’s Future
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