About Us

WWHI's mission is to save and improve the lives of mothers and their infants, particularly in rural populations.

According to the World Health Organization, 99% of maternal deaths each year occur in developing countries. Women in rural areas are more vulnerable than those in cities or towns as they generally lack access to sufficient healthcare services.

Senegal, for example, has a maternal mortality rate 300 times greater than the United States. Including Senegal's major city, Dakar, there are about 350 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in the country. The facts are even bleaker for women outside the urban areas of Senegal. They face a devastating 800 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Mothers in these areas have little or no access to antenatal or postpartum care. Risk during childbirth is increased by malnutrition, malaria and young age pregnancies. Economic factors, such as lack of infrastructure, also adversely affect the ability of mothers to survive pregnancy and childbirth. Although a doctor and nurses work in a central clinic, expectant mothers cannot easily reach it during the rainy season, leaving them alone to deliver their babies without medical care.

Women in rural villages need access to local healthcare workers who are trained in emergency obstetrical procedures. WWHI is making this happen.