The Problem In Guatemala

Every year approximately 350,000 women die while pregnant or giving birth — almost 1,000 a day. Of these women, 99 percent die in developing countries. 

Guatemala suffers one of the highest mortality rates for both mothers and newborns in the Americas. Guatemala was listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2009 as having the third highest maternal mortality rate, exceeded only by Haiti and Guyana. Guatemala loses 290 mothers for every 100,000 live births to pregnancy and birth-related causes. (World Health Statistics, 2009) In the rural highlands of Guatemala (where the population is 95% indigenous), the rate is 446 per 100,000.

Photo Credit: globalgiving.org

While midwives have a long history of practice in Guatemala, midwifery education has been uneven and informal, relying on small projects and the transmission of knowledge and skills mostly by individuals with limited experience in home birth. Today midwives in Guatemala receive short trainings, lasting from one week to several months, from the ministry of health or from any of a number of NGOs.

source: Midwife International

The Solution

To train midwives, who can provide high-quality maternity care. The impact of a well educated and trained midwife is priceless.

Photo Credit: guatemalamidwives.blogspot.com

The organization Midwife International, located in near Lake Atitlán, Guatemala will provide this high quality training for local Mayan women to become midwives. It is a 3 year long training, where the women will receive a quality education to be able to go back to their local villages and work there.  The cost for one woman to attend one year of school amounts to $3,000. 

We would like to raise at least $3,000 in order for a woman to attend 1 year of school. 

Our fund-raising efforts will be continuing throughout the month of March (Women's History Month).

Donate Now to Midwife International

This cause is important to us, please read the Briana's Passion page to learn more.

This link will take you to Midwife International. Look for SUPPORT US and this same Donate button to contribute on-line.

 Please see the donating instructions found here


Every dollar counts, even your lunch money of $5.