Our 5 x5 Challenge

The 5×5 Challenge

Click here for full document 

What is the 5×5 Challenge?

  • 500,000 women
  • 5 SDG targets
  • 5 countries
  • 5 years
  • 5 US$ pp

The 5 x 5 Challenge aims to improve the wellbeing and livelihood of over 500,000 women  in Africa over the next 5 years (2020-2025) in 5 Sustainable Development Targets in 5 countries over the next 5 years at less than US$ 5 per person.

Why support this 5×5 Challenge through Africa AHEAD?

We believe our CHC Model should appeal to development investors for the following reasons:

  • Value for money: very low cost per beneficiary (<US$5)
  • Sustainability: Health Clubs build capacity of communities to manage themselves over time
  • Economies of scale: Large numbers of beneficiaries reduce the  per capita cost of training inputs
  • Measurable: CHC achievements can be accurately monitored and  progress is tracked in “real time”
  • Localised: Implementation is achieved by training & capacity building local VHWs & CBFs
  • Transparent: management of development investments  by professional fund managers
  • Integrated:  development that achieves holistic health and socio-economic outcomes
  • Low admin costs: A “flat organisation”:   minimal micro management through expatriates

S.M.A.R.T Challenge:

This means Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant,and Time Bound

Specific:     Reduce 5 diseases affecting <5’s

  • Diarrhoeal disease by good hygiene, safe drinking water and sanitation practices
  • Environmental Enteropathy by promoting clean environment and improved child care
  • Malaria: by promoting use of insecticide treated nets and control of breeding sites
  • Intestinal parasites through improved sanitation facilities and good personal hygiene
  • Covid 19: Responsible behaviour and good personal hygiene

Measurable: Using our standard monitoring tool, the CHC Household Inventory, collected using cell phones for data collation we monitor the level of compliance to 10 categories of recommended practices.

Achievable:   We have  set targets which are achievable  aiming for 500 CHCs in 5 new countries based on  numbers that have already been achieved by Zimbabwe AHEAD as a small NGO over each of the past 20 years.

Relevant:     The ‘5×5’ Strategy is based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to eliminate poverty by 2030, and works within government policies to ensure all training is locally relevant

Time Bound: The targets are to be achieved between 2020 and 2025.


Our TARGET five countries are:
  • Zimbabwe
  • Malawi
  • Zambia
  • Kenya
  • South Sudan