"Without the clinic we would have to travel miles to get these services. I open my house to any one who wants to visit the clinic – everyone is always welcome.”

The Syrian Family Planning Association’s weekly mobile clinic is an integral part of its community outreach and service delivery programme. It serves many of the low-income areas that are on the periphery of Damascus.

Transport into the city is limited and not affordable for all.

The mobile clinic bus travels over 125km to reach many of the rural villages surrounding Damascus city.

Through the mobile clinic, SFPA is responding to the unmet need within these poorer areas.

It provides awareness raising sessions as well as brochures on reproductive health, pregnancy, contraception and the healthy spacing of babies.

In the village of Shaabah, the mobile clinic visits every Wednesday morning. Women from the local community congregate at Awattef's house where they are warmly received, and able to wait for their appointment in a private setting.

“I have been volunteering with SFPA for 11 years now. It is important for me to help women in my community access the mobile clinic. The clinic gives women the opportunity to have pregnancy check-ups and buy contraception”.

Awattef is a well-known and respected member of her local community, and a highly regarded volunteer among SFPA staff.