The Mother and Child Academic Hospital (Macah) Foundation, launched at the University of the Free State, makes mother, infant and child healthcare a priority in central South Africa. Its flagship project, ‘Make the First 1 000 Days Count’, educates relevant stakeholders on planning, nourishing, stimulating and ensuring the wellbeing of children so that they reach their full potential. Breaking the inter-generational cycle of unwanted and teenage pregnancies is an aim, along with combating stunting, illness, poverty and unemployment. It also sets out to improve student success at university level.