Kangaroo Care Saves Lives: Gangarru Group and Anna Speller Join Forces for Global Impact with *Carry Me*
In the first episode of the podcast The Kangaroo Leap, Huub Linders, Hanneke van den Heuvel (director of Gangarru Group), and singer-actress Anna Speller discuss the importance of Kangaroo Mother Care, the international mission of the social enterprise Gangarru Group, and the specially composed song Carry Me, which musically amplifies this mission.

The impact of Kangaroo Care: medical necessity and human connection

During the conversation, Hanneke van den Heuvel explains how the social enterprise Gangarru Group is committed to the global implementation of Kangaroo Care, a medically proven method in which newborns, especially premature babies, receive skin-to-skin contact with their parents. This natural principle supports both vital functions (such as breathing and heartbeat) and the child’s mental development, while demonstrably reducing stress and complications in newborns.

According to recent figures, around 41,000 premature babies are born every day, of which 15% die within 18 days. By applying Kangaroo Mother Care, this mortality rate can be significantly reduced. In Tanzania, 17 hospitals have already joined Gangarru’s so-called *Little Heroes* project, where the patented baby carriers are being used clinically.

In addition to clinical applications, Gangarru Group also focuses on the humanitarian sector. In Uganda, a project is being implemented in collaboration with War Child within refugee camps. Here, Kangaroo Care is more broadly applied to full-term babies during the first thousand days after conception, with an emphasis on bonding, stress reduction, and the mental health of both mother and child. This closely aligns with War Child’s BeThere program, which focuses on psychosocial support in war situations.

Although the focus is primarily on Africa, Gangarru is also working on awareness and medical implementation in the Netherlands. For example, a pilot is underway with UMC Utrecht to study how the carriers contribute to extending skin-to-skin contact between parent and child. Since 2023, the WHO has recommended at least eight hours of Kangaroo Care per day — a feasible goal thanks to these tools.

Musical translation of a mission

The podcast also introduces another dimension of impact: music. Singer and songwriter Anna Speller shares how her personal experiences as a mother inspired her to write the song *Carry Me*. The track is a musical translation of Gangarru Group’s mission, intuitively highlighting the power of closeness, security, and care in the earliest stage of a child’s life.

According to Speller, *Carry Me* came to life almost effortlessly, as a message that was “laid upon her heart.” In collaboration with producer Alexander van Popta, a heartfelt and moving piece was created, which has since also been performed live at UMC Utrecht. The emotional response from listeners confirmed the power of music as a unifying element within the broader social mission.

The collaboration between Gangarru and Anna Speller marks a step toward cultural communication on medical and social issues. By combining music and care, a bridge is built between science and emotion, between numbers and humanity. Anna has joined Gangarru as a (musical) ambassador.

Toward a structural solution for maternal and child care

Gangarru Group’s ambitions go beyond individual projects. The organization aims to expand the use of its baby carriers in East African hospitals, establish more humanitarian partnerships such as the one with War Child, and continue linking scientific evidence to implementation. To achieve this, structural funding is needed, including through philanthropy, NGOs, institutional partnerships, and international collaboration with organizations such as the United Nations.

At the same time, Van den Heuvel emphasizes that Kangaroo Care is universally relevant: even in Europe and the Netherlands, gains can be made in bonding, vitality, and mental health during the earliest stage of life. The message is clear: the first thousand days are decisive for a child’s future, no matter where in the world.

The episode concludes with the broader recognition that social impact takes many forms — medical, social, and cultural. Whether it’s saving lives, strengthening the parent-child bond, or inspiring through music, Gangarru Group’s mission is clear: every child deserves a good and fair start, no matter where in the world their cradle stands.