SEEKING PARTNERS - Guatemalan Birth Attendant Education

This is an application for funding needed to expand upon and support the sustainability of the successful efforts of Global Grant GG1876079. The Rotary Club of Madison West Middleton and Supporting Safe Birth, Inc. will again assemble Volunteer Training Teams (VTT) that over 3 years 2026 - 2028) will make 6 training trips to Guatemala to train birth attendants and to increase the number of Master Trainers from 12 to 20. The project will build upon the established the Helping Mothers and Babies Survive (HMBS) educational programs (https://hmbs.org/), which were developed by a coalition of international health agencies to equip birth attendants in low-resource areas worldwide with life-saving skills for pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.

In addition, the Master Trainers will be equipped with manikins and educational supplies necessary to improve the skills of birth attendants in their surrounding communities. 

The primary objectives of this grant are to:

  •  Increase the number of trained Master Trainers (MTs) in Guatemala from 12 to 20,

  •  Enhance the reach of midwives and other birth attendants through education and localized community engagement, 

  •  Improve maternal and newborn health outcomes by strengthening clinical skills, confidence, and data-driven training delivery.

The selected Master Trainers are chosen based on their geographic accessibility and demonstrated commitment to educating community-based midwifery groups. The project will be implemented through six coordinated trips to Guatemala, each providing structured training aligned with Helping Mothers and Babies Survive (HMBS) modules, such as Bleeding After Birth, Essential Newborn Care 1 & 2, and Essential Care for Labor & Birth. Instruction will be delivered by a Vocational Training Team (VTT) and supported by mentorship for the MTs.