The rebirth of MOMS is a joy
to all who believe that grass-roots efforts
to teach, provide resources, and support independence
are worth the effort to make them happen.

Mark the day - Celebrate MOMS!


June 17, 2012
from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm
at Gualala Arts Center
46501 Gualala Road  Gualala, CA 95445

Join us to celebrate our upcoming trip to Sierra Leone and to learn more about Sierra Leone and West Africa.
We’ll have drummers, dancers, hand-crafted goods, and good food.
MOMS and representatives of other groups working in Africa will be there with pictures and a lot of answers.

Donations will benefit MOMS work.

Please join our mailing list (on our Contact page) so you don’t miss any information. Or check back here for updates. Or like us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GlobalMidwives

Good news!


We have been given a “letter of attestation” by the District Medical Officer. So what? you might say. Well, this is the last big step toward completing our registration as a non-profit in Sierra Leone. The process must be done every two years, and each time we’ve done it, a different DMO was in charge. Last time, it required the intervention of two Members of Parliament to get this.

So, our Jitta headed up to Kailahun Town, showed the new DMO our documents, and talked a long time. And he provided the warmest letter we’ve received to date! Jitta will take the letter to the capital city of Freetown next week to push our application through the remainder of the process.

AND

The training team for August has its airplane tickets! We’re scheduled to leave the first weekend in August, to return the first weekend in September. This will give us time to conduct refresher training for each of our cohorts and determine which area will be our next cohort.

We are moving right along


Between 2006 and 2010, MOMS did the following:
  • created a model of empowering poor, illiterate women in a remote area of Sierra Leone.
  • taught 135 Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) in three areas to teach the women of their villages, support the clinics in providing maternity care, and advocate and provide for the neediest of the village women.
  • set up cooperative groups in three locations to support themselves financially and professionally.
  • helped build a 7-room clinic in a fourth, nearby location
We accepted the challenge to return to Sierra Leone because our model works: it save lives, provides an honorable living, and improves the lives of the whole community.

MOMS’ Plans for 2012 and Beyond
  • Train new cohorts of TBAs, including those who live near our newly built clinic.
  • Conduct refresher and advanced training to existing MOMS TBAs.
  • Create a Train-the-Trainer program for Sierra Leoneans to teach and manage the projects
  • Partner with the government and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for new initiatives.

MOMS staff at Ngolahun clinic
MOMS’s team walking toward the new clinic in Ngolahun.

Trish Ross teaching TBAs in Daru
Trish Ross, CPM, teaching Daru TBAs about the cardiovascular system.

MOMS' model of teaching TBAs in Sierra Leone works very well. Infant mortality rates of 45% and maternal mortality rates of about 2% have fallen by more than half, according to current statistics. Women who were discouraged and downtrodden are now proud and well-respected “warriors for safe motherhood”.

Doing this takes money and effort.

MOMS - with your support - makes a difference.
MOMS’ TBAs chose their own motto: MOMS TBAs Make A Difference! They chose this because they know they are improving the lives of everyone in their villages, and they are proud. Each promised, when she became a MOMS TBA, to do only what is good for women. And in keeping this promise, they’re seeing their own lives transformed.

MOMS' TBAs continue to apply what they’ve learned to provide better care for women. This is what they do:

  • Teach their neighbors about nutrition and sanitation
  • Encourage breastfeeding
  • Advise about family planning
  • Connect women to the clinics for maternity care
The maternal mortality rate has plummeted - and the Ministry of Health and Sanitation says this is due to the work MOMS has done - with your support.

You made this happen with your gifts. Because you gave, we did the work of teaching, providing advice and encouragement, and challenging the women to change their communities.

Will you continue to help?


Can you...
  • raise money? This is really and truly our biggest need.
  • help lead the organization? We need committed Board members.
  • donate? It’s tax deductible! Click the Donate button to use your PayPal account or a credit card.