We have amazing customers. People who are passionate about facilitating conversations that matter and making a difference in the lives of those around them. During this season of giving, I wanted to share a little piece of how our colleague Mari Alexander is giving back, and invite you to join us in supporting the work she is doing.

Mari makes a difference in the world in a number of ways. As a compassionate physicians assistant in private practice, as a mother, as a cross-cultural consultant at Kaiser Permanente, just to name a few. She does use VisualsSpeak in her work, but I want to talk about another group of images she uses to save lives in the developing world.

Powerful stories from amazing women

Mari came to the Society for Intercultural Education Training and Research (SIETAR) December meeting to share her experience of being in Kenya last month with the non-profit organization Safe Passage to Motherhood. She brought Dr. Teresa Gipson, who is part of the Ray of Hope Foundation, and provided the on-the-ground connections in Africa for the work Mari did.

These organizations and women do incredible work. I could talk about the details, but what really got my attention was the way Mari and Teresa glowed when they talked about what they were doing. As someone who has no idea how to deal with the day to day aspects of babies, and who may call for help with dealing with my cats hairball— it was particularly impressive to see their passion for dealing with helping others in what are shocking circumstances.

Dr. Gipson has been working in Kenya for fifteen years. Aligning with people who are already working there. Supporting efforts that make a difference for whole communities. Bringing resources and education to people who really need it, in a place with unique medical challenges. Her accomplishments are long. But once again, what got my attention was the light in her eyes when she talked about the pictures of the people and their stories. And the deep understanding she has about their challenges and the cultural context in which they live.

How images save lives.

Safe Passage to Motherhood is a group of Oregon-based health care providers and educators who are working to help save the lives of mothers and babies in high-risk areas of the developing world.

They use visual teaching materials created by the American College of Nurse Midwives on Home Based Life Saving Skills. This are a series of workbooks created to teach women how to recognize and deal with birthing emergencies. Visuals are particularly powerful when working across a range of literacy and with differing native languages. The images are used to start conversations with groups of women, helping them to learn how to assist each other with limited resources.

This program has been used by trainers in 30 countries since 1989. Many lives of women and children have been saved through the skills taught with these images.

Kenya bound in 2009

The Ray of Hope Foundation and Safe Passages for Motherhood  are returning to Kenya in 2009, with plans to train 400 women in  these life saving skills. Donations make it possible for these health professionals to leave their practices in Oregon to do this important work. Instead of spending money on end of year holiday gifts, we have decided to donate to their efforts. Want to join us?

Currently, Safe Passage to Motherhood is accepting donations through our sister organization, Ray of Hope, International. Follow these steps to make your donation:

1. Click on the “Donate Now through Network for Good ” button below. This will connect you to the Ray of Hope donation page.
2. In the “Designation” window on the Ray of Hope donation page enter ”Safe Passage to Motherhood.”
3. Complete the remaining steps in the process as indicated. You will be able to use your credit card or PayPal, specify a one-time or recurring donation, and request a receipt for tax purposes.

Thank you for your support of Safe Passage to Motherhood!