Our Story

When disasters happen - in Haiti and around the world - pregnant and laboring women rarely move to the front of the line at the emergency medical tents.  The result can be disastrous for mothers and their babies.

In response, a dedicated group of volunteers formed Circle of Health International (COHI) to bring high-quality health care to women in times of crisis.

Karen is a certified nurse midwife and COHI volunteer who went to Haiti immediately after the earthquake.  Now she is going back.

Karen gives her time freely, respectfully learning about local midwives, assessing their skills and providing much needed training that will ultimately help save the lives of the women they serve. 

Each year, one third of the world's population will be affected by natural disasters.  Up to 80% of the world's refugees and displaced people are women and their children.  Help get Karen to Haiti - and the next volunteer to the next area of crisis or disaster.

The Impact

Small changes - like practice drills on how to manage the most common life-threanening birth emergencies or watching for swelling and high blood pressure readings - can help save the lives of the more than 2,000 women served by the local midwives each year.  

What We Need & What You Get

COHI is volunteer driven with very low overhead.  Karen is giving her time freely - all she needs is funds to cover her travel expenses.

In exchange for a donation, you can receive a gift from COHI from one of the areas where they volunteer or be honored on the COHI website. 

All funds up to $1000 will go directly towards Karen's travel expenses and local room and board in Haiti. Any funds raised in excess of our goal will go to Circle of Health International to fund travel and other expenses for future volunteers.  Funds may also be used to send much needed supplies to the birth center in Haiti, such as prenatal vitamins.

See below for photos of all of the perks!

Other Ways You Can Help

This campaign is supported by a circle of bloggers who recognize not just the need for women's health care in Haiti, but the COHI model: 

- Grassroots change driven by respect for and collaboration with local leaders;

- Small but powerful volunteer run organizations; and

- Supporting a woman in her right to make her own decisions in all aspects of her health care and methods of service provision

Help us get Karen to Haiti - and the next volunteer to the next area of crisis or disaster.

Have 1 minute?  Tweet the hashtag #getkarenthere

Have 5 minutes?  Share on Facebook and tell your friends why they should donate and share!

Have 30 minutes?  Write a blog post! Contact us at info [at] birthswell [dot] com for all the details.

Inspired?  Become a COHI volunteer and help get the next midwife to women in the next crisis or time of need.

The Perks

Website Thank You - $10

Your contribution will be honored with a thank you on the COHI website! Your name - or the person you would like honored - will be listed.

COHI greeting cards - $20

Send a note to someone special, say thanks for a job well done, or say congrats to a new graduate!  Each card depicts an original photo taken during one of COHI's projects, and contains a note on the inside stating "A donation of $20 was made in your honor to Circle of Health International."  Send one as a note, or buy several to give as a gift.

Tanzanian Necklace 1 - $35

Tanzanian earrings 1 - $35

Tanzanian earrings 2 - $35

Tanzanian necklace 2 - $35

Tanzanian comb - $35

COHI messenger bag - $50

Haitian Mask 1 - $100 

Haitian Mask 2 - $100

Haitian Mask 3 - $100