Maternal and newborn mortality rates in Haiti are the highest in the western hemisphere and among the highest in the world. Mothers and babies die because of the restrictions of poverty. Most deliveries must occur at home without the benefits of prenatal care, education, or a trained birth attendant. Hospitals are far away, ill equipped, and costly.

Maison de Naissance is a maternity center designed as a birthing home. Our mission is to provide preferential care for mothers and babies in extreme poverty in Haiti. The services of a modern maternity center are offered in the hospitality of a safe, culturally appropriate, welcoming, and friendly home - a house of birth - Maison de Naissance.

View a birth (0:39 sec)

The Healthy Mothers - Healthy Babies Foundation is a 501(c)(3)  non-profit organization whose mission is to improve healthcare for mothers and babies in impoverished communities.  In Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere, Healthy Mothers-Healthy Babies Foundation is sponsor of Maison de Naissance.  The activities of Maison de Naissance, which reach a population of more than 10,000 Haitians, are featured in this website.  Thanks to generous support by visionary donors, plans are now under way to extend our zone of service in Haiti to as many as 100,000 rural inhabitants of the Port Salut Peninsula who lack access to healthcare.  Please examine the compelling examples of success at Maison de Naissance contained in this website and consider making a contribution by clicking below or please feel free to contact Steve Bornemeier at steve@hm-hb.org or 816.812.0820 for assistance or questions.  And please visit our website again for updates on our expansion plans as they go forward. Thanks for your interest!

Share the Joy of Motherhood this May 11th
This Mother's Day please consider making a tribute gift to Healthy Mothers- Healthy Babies Foundation in honor of the many remarkable women who have influenced your life. Here you can submit your secure donation.  Make sure to check the box "My donation is a tribute to someone special," and we will notify your honoree with a personalized Mother's Day card.

Steven Obenhaus awarded Presidential Award of Excellence
Steven Obenhaus is the 2007-2008 recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching.  This award is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th-grade mathematics or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States.  In addition to honoring individual achievement, the goal of the award program is to exemplify the highest standards of mathematics and science teaching. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education.  Steven has collaborated with his high school students in research and support of the health programs of Healthy Mothers-Healthy Babies.  His high school students have contributed in the areas of mapping, vitamin A distribution, child mortality and living conditions, water and sanitation, and malaria prevalence. 

William Chang is a national finalists in the 2007-2008 Young Epidemiology Scholars Competition for his connected with Maison de Naissance
Olathe North High School senior William Chang has been awarded college scholarship funds as one of 12 national finalists in the 2007-2008 Young Epidemiology Scholars Competition.  The scholarship was awarded in Washington, D.C.  Chang was among 60 high school students selected from more than 550 entrants nationwide.

Read the rest of the article from the Olathe News here.


Students Recognized for Dedication to HM-HB
The Truman State University GlobeMed chapter has won the "Outstanding New Organization Award" in the Center for Student Involvement 2008 Leadership Recognition Program at their university. The young organization has dedicated its members' time, skills and enthusiasm toward improving the health of mothers and babies in our Haitian community.  Congratulations and Merci!

Visitor & Volunteer trips
Take part in a visit to Maison de Naissance.  Our Community Health teams need help to make house calls, deliver Vitamin A supplements, and de-worm young children to prevent malnutrition.  Trips each month December through July.  See our visitors page under the "Take Action" tab for details and dates.



At-Home Volunteers needed, too

The Health Mothers – Health Babies Foundation, sponsor of Maison de Naissance, keeps growing and has a number of volunteer needs.  Most of these positions require a few hours per week and can be done from home or at the Foundation office in Kansas City.  A few of these tasks would be aided greatly by a visit to Maison de Naissance in Haiti.  Please contact Jillian@hm-hb.org  (816-812-7100) to learn about helping with the following needs:

• Builder, engineer, or architect to review building and facility issues in Haiti
• Webmaster
• Photographer and photo archivist
• Safe water and sanitation project development
• Nurse to assist with on-line monitoring, education, and telemedicine
• French translation
  
• Bookkeeper for contributions and donor acknowledgements
  
• Graphic arts
• Newsletter writing
• Grant research
• Administrative assistant
  

Recent publications

Dr. Elizabeth Wickstrom and MN - Nebraska Magazine

Bringing Care to the Poorest of the Poor - Dr. Stan Shaffer - Cerner Quarterly

MN - Improving Health Access and Newborn Survival - Social Medicine Journal




MDG Countdown
The Countdown Group for the Millenium Development Goals (MDG's) has identified the following group of interventions as crucial to accelerating progress to reduce maternal and newborn death: immunizations, insecticide-treated bednets, exclusive breast feeding, vitamin A supplements, and the employment of more midwives.  (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/apr/11/development)  Maison de Naissance is proud to be actively involved with each of these.