Mothers2mothers
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| Founded | 2001 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Dr. Mitch Besser (Founder/ Medical Director), Gene Falk (Co-Founder, Former CEO), Robin Allinson Smalley (Co-Founder/ International Director), Frank Beadle de Palomo (Current CEO) |
| Type |
Operating public charity (IRS exemption status): 501(c)(3) |
| Focus | Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV |
| Location |
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Revenue
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$15.6 million (2009) |
| Slogan | Helping Mothers, Saving Babies |
| Website | www.m2m.org |
mothers2mothers is an international nonprofit organisation dedicated to preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV by providing education and support for pregnant women and new mothers living with HIV. mothers2mothers believes in the power of women to eliminate paediatric AIDS and create health and hope for themselves and their babies, families, and communities.
Founded in 2001, the organisation currently works in over 400 sites in 7 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and employs over a 1000 women living with HIV.
mothers2mothers was founded by Dr. Mitchell Besser at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa in 2001.
In January 2000 Besser moved to Cape Town, South Africa as a member of the University of Cape Town's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and as a consultant for the clinical roll-out of Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) services at Groote Schuur Hospital.
While working at Groote Schuur, Besser realised that even when PMTCT medical treatment was available, it was often less than effective because of social, emotional and psychological barriers to success. To help break through those barriers, Besser identified South Africa's HIV-positive mothers as a "valuable, under-utilized resource." Besser enlisted new mothers living openly with HIV/AIDS who, as Mentor Mothers, began to connect with and educate their pregnant peers about the importance of PMTCT services, disclosing their status to loved ones, and living positive lives. The result of these efforts is mothers2mothers today.
In recent years, as the programme has expanded internationally, the organisation has taken on the name mothers2mothers + [Country X], e.g. mothers2mothers South Africa and mothers2mothers Kenya. However, worldwide and in the press, the organisation as a whole is known as mothers2mothers.
mothers2mothers' mission is to impact the health of mothers by putting them at the heart of improving reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health. Its Mentor Mother Model empowers mothers living with HIV, through education and employment, as role models to help other women access essential services and medical care. [1] Through this Mentor Mother Model, mothers2mothers works with governments, local partners, and communities to:
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