Transforming the lives of mothers and babies in the Amazon.
For the past 8 years, we have been empowering the community with education and the use of technology, bringing them closer to healthcare services to promote well-being and prevent illness.
The scientific foundation of our project.
Mamás del Río Project
In Mamás del Río, we aim to transform the lives of pregnant women and babies in rural Amazonian communities by promoting simple care practices, teaching disease prevention, and encouraging the use of healthcare services to reduce risks during pregnancy and childbirth. Additionally, we provide support during the baby's first year of life.
Through the use of a tablet with a simple application, we empower Community Health Workers, both men and women who are leaders in the communities, to provide and collect valuable information that improves and saves the lives of mothers and babies.
We seek to help reduce social inequities, close gaps, and change the stories of mothers and babies in our communities through the use of technology that empowers through access to information.
Our challenge
In rural areas of Peru, the reality is alarming, with neonatal mortality rates four times higher and maternal mortality rates twice as high as in other areas of the country.
In Amazonian rural communities, approximately 70% of births occur at home, and of those, 93% lack specialized assistance. This is due to the lack of access to healthcare centers and a lack of intercultural understanding. Furthermore, 55% of newborns who pass away are buried without their deaths being registered; many of them don't even have an identification document that recognizes them as Peruvian citizens.
Where we work
In 84 communities in the Loreto region, located in the districts of Nauta, Parinari, and Saquena.
In 30 communities on the Peru - Colombia border located along the Putumayo River, in the districts of Teniente Manuel Clavero and San Antonio del Estrecho (Peru); and Puerto Leguízamo and El Encanto (Colombia).
The Community Health Worker
We conduct an assessment of the watersheds and visit the leader of each community. They choose their Community Health Agent (ACS) through an assembly. The ACS visits the community, performs pregnancy tests, and identifies pregnant women, recording their information on the tablet. Afterward, they conduct three visits before childbirth, during which they provide information about simple prevention practices and identify warning signs.
The CHW's goal is to encourage pregnant women to attend their prenatal check-ups at their healthcare center, aiming to overcome any obstacles, doubts, or fears that the expectant mother or her family may have, which could prevent them from accessing the nearest healthcare services in their community.
They together create a birth plan, taking into account every necessary factor for a successful outcome, whether it's an institutional or home birth. They are provided with a clean birth kit containing essential items to maintain cleanliness and safety during delivery. They also involve all key stakeholders: family, godparents, midwife, and prepare for any necessary actions in case of an emergency.
If the mother decides to give birth at home, the CHW and the midwife are trained to provide thermal care and care for the baby's umbilical cord, as well as encourage breastfeeding immediately after birth.
After childbirth, the CHW conducts 3 visits during the first 7 days of the baby's life. During these visits, the baby's weight is measured, and it is ensured that the baby is healthy, and any potential warning signs that have been previously taught to the mother, midwife, and family are confirmed to be taken into account. Once again, they are encouraged to visit the healthcare center to register the newborn, promote vaccination, well-child check-ups, and obtain the baby's identification document
Our impact in changing indicators
550% increase in skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby.
117% increase in colostrum consumption.
32% improvement in umbilical cord care.
10% increase in institutional births.
Our impact in changing lives
More than 1500 pregnant women benefited.
More than 500 CHWs, midwives, and trained healthcare personnel.
Over 6000 home visits conducted.
We aim to empower and give a voice to the community, by coordinating and building processes that bring them closer to the healthcare services provided by the State.
