MOMS’ Mission
MOMS is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to improve maternal and infant health through education and service.
How we fulfill our mission:
- Prepare women to educate and support their communities, especially the pregnant women in those communities
- Train women in the skills and knowledge they need to support local women in normal birth
- Promote effective maternity care to all women
Our philosophy of mission:
We serve marginalized women. We have a vision of improving women's and children's lives by helping provide excellent maternity care. We stay focused on preparing women to support their communities skillfully. With our experience in effective management, we also think creatively. We act responsibly with the trust our donors and clients have given us. We like to have fun, not taking ourselves too seriously, while taking MOMS' work very seriously.
Why Sierra Leone?
Sierra Leone is still one of the poorest countries in the world and the maternal and infant mortality rates are still bad. The government, UN, and many nonprofits have been working on these issues; the current First Lady has made maternal/child health a priority. We consult with these officials to build a healthy relationship based on mutual respect. MOMS serves where little or no quality care is available. And the needs in Sierra Leone are huge.
Our capabilities match the needs. We are skilled in training community health workers and birth attendants and in supporting clinic staff. We are recognized experts in designing effective instructional material. We have a deep appreciation for African culture.
Because we are small, we are also nimble. We do not need expensive facilities, infrastructure, or paid US staff, but work with skilled and dedicated volunteers, who need only basic supplies for educating and serving the women. We work in the most rural areas where basic transportation and communication infrastructure are seriously lacking.
So we work where the women are justifiably afraid of pregnancy and birth, facing a 1% maternal mortality ratio and over 12% infant mortality rates.
Why Traditional Birth Attendants?
For untold numbers of years, women have turned to trusted neighbors and relatives to help with birth. In areas where medical maternity care is not available, this is still very true. A woman who has given birth, observed other births, and has a reputation for wisdom and kindness is the one asked to help newer mothers in childbirth. Where we’re working in Sierra Leone, and in many other areas of the world, clinics are not available in every village and hospitals are often several hours away. Transportation is difficult and often people with medical emergencies are carried by hammock to the nearest help.
On the other hand, the traditional birth attendants exist in almost every village, and are often recruited by their neighbors. They learn from experience and from each other. Many have delivered hundreds of babies in relative safety, given the lack of sanitary facilities and other difficulties in their situations. While often illiterate, they are not necessarily ignorant, and are certainly not stupid.
In modern times, officials have often been ambivalent about TBAs. Some are not well-trained and few are well-equipped. The clinics often have greater resources and clinic staff is usually better trained. Yet, the women understandably prefer care by someone local, known, and trusted. If a woman in labor must choose between her aunt or a 10-mile walk through the rainforest to an unknown care-giver who may not even speak the same language, her choice is simple.
MOMS understands very clearly that many TBAs lack knowledge, skill and equipment. Many lives could be saved through the presence of someone who is better equipped and trained than the typical traditional birth attendant. Yet, given the reality of the TBAs’ presence and contribution, groups like the World Health Organization advocate supporting the TBAs, teaching them how to work more safely and effectively and providing supplies.
MOMS tends to agree with this approach. Rather than trying to import formally educated people into a remote, rural area that lacks the equipment they were trained to use, we empower the women who are already well-respected in the community, improving their skills and knowledge, and providing a foundation from which they can make the needed changes in the community. Our first module makes very clear that the first and best thing a TBA can do is connect women with the clinic. We are unequivocal that TBAs must work as part of a health care team - and according to their role, based on their skills and knowledge.
Above is Mamie Lamin, the head TBA in the Pellie area, with her grandchildren.
The children’s mother died in premature labor trying to walk to the clinic for help.