|
|
 |
|
A) Make the Most of Your Career:Your own skills and services can help save mothers, particularly if you're in health care and education. Expertise in international law and human rights is needed to advocate for mothers' right to life. Teachers are needed to educate young women about maternity. Engineers and communication specialists are needed to assist the infrastructure in developing countries so that mothers can access care when it is available. A short-term stint in the developing world is a great first step to getting involved. Nurses, physicians, and midwives who are willing to both teach and provide services are invaluable. You might be surprised what an important role your skills could play. Here are a few organizations that send professionals:
You may also consider a future career in maternity care in developing countries. A career in vocations such as midwifery, medicine, education, public health, or social work is a viable way to make a difference. You may wish to consider training programs in international health with a focus on maternal mortality. Such programs are very successful at post-graduate schools such as the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (www.lshtm.ac.uk), which offer some of the world's most respected international health programs, and The School of Public Health at Columbia University (http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/sph/), which was the recipient of a Gates Foundation donation of $50M to help fight maternal mortality. The John Hopkins School of Public Health (www.jhsph.edu), also has a well-respected program. For Canadians, a recognized centre is the Centre for International Health at the University of Toronto (www.intlhealth.med.utoronto.ca). B) Lobby Your GovernmentAll federal governments in developed countries are involved in international aid. A letter to lobby your federal government representative, or your department of international affairs regarding how you would like your tax money to be spent will send an important message. Ask your elected representative or the department of international affairs what they are doing, and urge them to do more. They should know that you are pleased to contribute your tax money to aid projects that help expectant mothers. Tell them that reducing maternal mortality should be a key international aid priority.
C) Donate to Save the MothersD) Help Spread the WordYou can help save a mother's life by inviting informed speakers (Women's Health Speaker) to bring attention to their plight. Invite them to your local service club, church, or college/university group. |
