What
is Save the Mothers?
At Save the
Mothers we believe that to reduce the number of mothers dying in
childbirth and pregnancy related complications you must do more
than train health professionals. Simply building more hospitals
and clinics will not improve the health of mothers. Billions of
dollars spent over the last 50 years have proven this to be so.
The answer is to impact the very fabric of the society in which
the mother lives and to awaken change from within.
There are 4
important spheres of influence, along with health care, that have
a direct impact on the number of mothers dying;
| Law |
In
many developing countries women have no voice and are denied
basic rights during their pregnancy. We challenge politicians
and lawyers to enter our program and to bring about changes
in the laws of the land….and then to fight for the rights
of women from their respected place of influence and authority.
Just as William Wilberforce rescued slaves from the slave
trade in the early 1800’s through the passing of laws
in British parliament, so we too must focus our attention
on laws that will lay a foundation for mothers to receive
the care and attention that they need during pregnancy.
|
| Education |
The
surest way to spread a message is through the education system.
We recruit leaders who are impacting young minds throughout
the schools to be equipped in the specifics of mothers dying
in childbirth.
|
| Social
Services |
Change
occurs most often in developing countries through passionate
social workers and community leaders who are close to the
people. We mobilize professionals in the social services field
and equip them with the skills to spread the message to the
grass roots.
|
| Media |
In
the age of technology, spreading the message through journalists
and media personnel ensures the widest possible audience.
When the story of women’s rights and the numbers of
women dying without care is spread through radio, television
and newspaper it reaches the remotest corners of a nation.
We equip media professionals to put both the tragedy of mothers
dying and the knowledge needed to prevent it from happening,
“on the front page”.
|
The Save the
Mothers Program trains professional champions from
developing countries to improve mothers’ health through their
specific
window of influence. When the necessary skills are spread through
a
passionate message to the right local grassroots influencers change
begins to happen….and it is lasting change.
In order to
honor the effort of the participants, and to keep the level of
quality of the entrants high, we have chosen to gather the content
of the
program into a Masters Level degree in Public Health Leadership.
Uganda Christian University is the home of the
first Save the Mothers
Program. Students study on a part time basis over 2 years, completing
the program with an intensive outreach project that challenges them
to
reenter their sphere of influence and prove that their new found
skills
will make a tangible difference.
Our plan is
to replicate the program in other countries/universities in the
developing world.
Mission
Statement:
Partnering to improve the quality of life for mothers in the developing
world.
Vision
Statement:
Our vision is to bring mothers in the developing world safely through
childbirth, and to improve their quality of life by addressing the
particular health problems arising out of the childbirth experience.
We desire to work in partnership with other like-minded groups and
individuals to establish self-sustaining indigenous movements in
developing countries that will work toward this end.
Mandate:
Save the Mothers is an international organization committed to partnerships
that promote the health and dignity of mothers in developing countries.
As a Christian organization, it has a whole person approach to improve
the lives of women and their families.
What
We Believe:
- in the
dignity of all persons, regardless of race or creed
- that adequate
maternal care (safe childbirth and post-childbirth health) is
a basic human right
- it is our
responsibility to promote this right for all women and to carry
this out in an attitude of humility before God and our fellow
human beings
- in the
role of governments to help ensure universal access to safe maternal
care
Governance:
Save the Mothers is a program of Interserve Canada, a registered
Canadian charity (#10679-9349-RR0001). The Canadian Board of Save
the Mothers reports to the Interserve Canada Board. The local Ugandan
Board of Save the Mothers reports to the Canadian Board of Save
the Mothers. The boards are composed of volunteer individuals committed
to the health of mothers worldwide.
|
Now available, updated third printing of the award-winning book,
"Where Have All the Mothers Gone?"
Stories
of courage and hope
during childbirth among the
world's poorest women.
By
Dr. Jean Chamberlain Froese
$16.99 Canadian
(including shipping and handling)
"A
Must Read"
(Cal Bombay)
Order
from Interserve via e-mail
or telephone: 1-866-786-2350
(click
on the book image to view both front and back covers in Adobe
Acrobat .pdf format).
|
