Initiatives
Featured
World of Difference & Child Legacy International
Malawi, Africa
The Dr. Julie Aiken Hansen Foundation is committed to building pathways to health and opportunity, empowering communities to thrive through sustainable solutions. In Malawi, Africa—one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world—two significant partnerships have brought this mission to life.
At a Glance:
Through collaboration with World of Difference and Children’s Legacy International (CLI), the Foundation is addressing systemic challenges that affect vulnerable populations, particularly women and children. From sustainable farming initiatives that alleviate food insecurity to the construction of a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) that will save the lives of mothers and infants, these efforts reflect the Foundation’s unwavering belief in long-term, community-led change.
Having traveled to Malawi and worked in its public health system, Dr. Julie Aiken Hansen has seen the direct impact of limited resources on healthcare outcomes. These partnerships represent a personal and purposeful commitment to nurturing both health and hope in underserved communities.
Why:
Julie and Dell Loy Hansen (through the Dell Loy Hansen Family Foundation) have partnered with World of Difference and Children’s Legacy International (CLI) to build a more sustainable, healthier future for communities in Malawi. With Julie’s background in maternal-child health and hands-on experience in Malawi’s public healthcare system, she identified two critical areas of need: healthcare and education—both of which disproportionately affect women and children.
To address these challenges, the Hansens collaborated with World of Difference to focus on food insecurity, which contributes to Malawi’s high maternal and infant mortality rates. Together, they purchased land adjacent to CLI’s hospital and are building a community education center that teaches sustainable agriculture, distributes seeds, and fosters self-reliance. They’ve also planted macadamia trees that offer long-term economic opportunity and employment for the community.
At the same time, the Hansens are supporting the construction of the Dr. Julie Aiken Hansen NICU, set to open in spring 2025. This facility will provide life-saving care to mothers and newborns, helping reduce Malawi’s extraordinarily high rate of premature births and infant deaths.
Together with their partners, the Hansens are advancing long-term solutions that bring health, hope, and sustainability to one of the world’s poorest nations.
World of Difference Partnership
With support from the Dr. Julie Aiken Hansen Foundation and the Dell Loy Hansen Family Foundation, World of Difference purchased land adjacent to CLI’s hospital to build a Community Education Center focused on sustainable agriculture and economic opportunity. The initiative includes:
- Training on diverse crop cultivation to combat nutritional deficiencies
- Distribution of seeds to promote self-sufficient gardening
- Employment through tree planting and land cultivation
- The introduction of macadamia farming to create long-term economic growth
Children’s Legacy International Partnership
CLI has been a transformative force in Malawi, delivering healthcare to over 500,000 people and advocating for maternal and child wellness. In collaboration with CLI, the Foundation is supporting the creation of The Dr. Julie Aiken Hansen NICU, set to open in spring 2025. This unit will provide critical care for premature infants and mothers, addressing a gap in medical services that contributes to some of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the world.
Together, these initiatives target root causes—poor nutrition, lack of healthcare access, and limited economic opportunity—by combining education, empowerment, and infrastructure.
Data & Impact
- Construction of the Community Education Center has begun
- Land cleared for additional macadamia trees, with wood distributed to community members—an act reinforcing communal sustainability
- Secured water access through long-term irrigation planning, including tanks and filtration systems
- Agricultural training and workshops underway, complemented by a health campaign in Ntthondo Ming’ongo
- NICU Grand Opening Spring 2025, with life-saving care planned for mothers and newborns
- Over 11,000 babies delivered at CLI’s facility, with 2,000 C-sections performed
Julie Aiken Hansen Nursing Scholarship
The Dr. Julie A. Hansen Nursing Scholarship, created in partnership with Dell Loy Hansen and the Hansen Family Foundation, provides financial assistance to nursing students based on need rather than academic merit. This initiative is aimed at increasing access to nursing education for underserved students and addressing the nursing shortage in healthcare.
Dell Loy and Julie Hansen Scholars at Salt Lake Community College
The Dell Loy and Julie Hansen Scholars program at Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) provides scholarships for students pursuing higher education based on need, rather than academic merit. This program is designed to support the local community by offering access to education for students who might not otherwise afford it.
Hansen Fellowship at the Center for Medical Innovation
The Center for Medical Innovation (CMI) at the University of Utah has been a catalyst for medical device innovation since its inception in 2012, producing hundreds of new technologies.
Huntsman Mental Health Institute Nursing Scholarship Program
The Huntsman Mental Health Institute Nursing Scholarship Program, launched in January 2025, will provide scholarships to nursing students with a focus on mental health.
Bridle Up Hope: Utah + Ukraine
Bridle Up Hope is an empowering initiative aimed at supporting young women through horseback riding and life skills programs internationally, with JAH’s support in Utah and Ukraine.
The Children's Center Utah (TCCU)
The Dr. Julie A Hansen Foundation works closely with The Children’s Center Utah (TCCU) to provide mental health treatment services for children ages birth through six.
Visual Art Institute
The Visual Art Institute (VAI) offers high-quality fine art classes for all ages, from children to adults, to help individuals discover their creativity and develop skills that can positively impact other aspects of their lives.
Intermountain Women’s Cardiovascular Health Research and Education
In collaboration with the Intermountain Healthcare Foundation, the Dr. Julie A Hansen Foundation is dedicated to supporting women’s cardiovascular health research and education.
University of Utah Athletics: Crimson Collective
The Crimson Collective is a nonprofit organization that supports University of Utah student-athletes, ensuring they receive the necessary resources to excel in both their academic and athletic endeavors.
Hansen Ukrainian Mission (HUM)
Founded by Dell Loy Hansen and directed by Julie Hansen, the HUM Foundation is dedicated to providing essential aid to the people of Ukraine.
