Strong Mamas of the Mountains-Part 3

This Sunday is Mother’s Day in Haiti. Honor a mom like Mina.

Meet Mina, one of the inspiring young mothers who recently joined our pregnancy basics class in the village. Like many women here, Mina is embarking on a journey of understanding her pregnant body for the very first time.

What might be considered common knowledge in American culture holds potentially life-saving significance in Haiti, where access to maternal healthcare is severely limited. Our basic prenatal education is a vital tool, empowering mothers like Mina to navigate their pregnancies more safely.

Mina was a dedicated participant in our weekly classes, and as her pregnancy progressed, she began to voice her questions. When she experienced concerning pain, we promptly referred her to the hospital. It was discovered that her baby was in a breech position.

While our maternal health initiatives are still in their early stages and we don’t yet have on-site midwives, we have established a crucial partnership with a trusted hospital for necessary interventions.

Mina’s ability to recognize and articulate the unfamiliar pain she was experiencing is a testament to the education she received. Having learned the importance of attentive observation, she was able to communicate her concerns clearly. Initially, the cause of her pain remained unclear. After close monitoring, we made the decision to send her back to the hospital. A period of watchful waiting followed—a common practice at this stage of pregnancy.

The challenging reality of Haiti, with ongoing gang violence and territorial disputes, casts a long shadow over every aspect of life. The unreliability of road access further complicates the journey for mothers seeking essential care. Thankfully, Mina was equipped with a clean birth kit and the knowledge to use it.

In a country where access to care is scarce, a breech presentation can be devastating for both mother and child without proper education and the availability of critical intervention.

We are thrilled to share that Mina delivered a healthy baby vaginally. Knowing how difficult it can be to access a cesarean in the current volatile situation, we had a transport plan in place. In a context where delays in childbirth can be deadly, Mina and her baby’s safe arrival is nothing short of a miracle.

This Mother's Day in Haiti, would you help us support more mamas like Mina?
A monthly gift of $50 or even $25 helps provide life-saving education, clean birth kits, and access to emergency care for expecting mothers in rural Haiti.

👉 Sponsor a Strong Mama Today
or visit us at www.espwameanshopehaiti.org

Thank you for climbing this mountain with us,
Anje and The Espwa Means Hope Team