Smi Profile 1

SweetMother International
One World
One People
United in Progress
Headquaters.
Sweet Mother International (SMI) and World Youth Empowerment Association (WYEA) Incorporated 8 leyden Court, Salisbury Downs, South Australia 5108, Australian Website: http://www.sweetmotherinternational.org ; http://www.wyea.org Email: smi@sweetmotherinternational.org Tel: +61 420783412 Amanda Tel: +61 449061457 John
Abuja Nigeria.
Sweet Mother International (SMI)
Suite 38/39,Nkwegu Plaza,Area 1 Garki.FCT Abuja, Nigeria. http://www.nigeria.sweetmotherinternational.org/abuja Email: abuja@sweetmotherinternational.org Tel:+234-7067155491-Adeshina
SweetMotherInternational 2011
SAVE PROJECT
Picture -Broken Promises Published by Center for Reproductive Rights
Email:abuja@sweetmotherinternational.org
Table of Content Contents Organisational Overview SAVE Campaign project Aims and Objective Campaigns in Abuja The SMI Puublication The SMI Volunteers Page 7 8 8 11 15 23
1 2 3 4 5 6
7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.5
Appendix The Root causes of maternal Death Key Intervention The needs of typical African Community Stakeholder
27 28 29 29 30
1 ORGANISATION OVERVIEW
Sweet Mother International (SMI) a non political, non profit and nongovernmental organisation with its headquarters in Australia and branches in several African countries including Nigeria .The SMI's vision is to participate with the world communities to achieve the millennium development goal, particularly, the United Nations' call to reduce maternal mortality by 75 per cent in 2015.
Brief History About SMI

The idea of Sweet Mother International is dedicated to Madam Salomey Nze, 1904 - 1986, Imo State Nigeria. Madam Salomey Nze, despite her predicament as a young widow with over six teenage children, She founded a home where she accommodated and fed women who were widows like herself, aged women, old-women-without-children, destitute women and women with mental illness. She was also a counsellor to newly married couples and young women. She acted as a mediator in times of dispute between families, assisting to restore peace, love and affection in homes. She was so devoted in her fellowship with God and humanity that she was regarded as an "Angel " in her community. She died in 1986. In the year 2000, this vision was regenerated by the idea of Sweet Mother International which was conceived by, John Nze-Bertram the grandson of Madam Salomey Nze.
Sweet Mother International recognizes Mothers as the conscience and the "Pillars of Nations". Women are the fertile ground in which humanity is grown. Any nation seeking progress takes seriously the development of women virtues since mothers are the primary source of vision for a peaceful and prosperous society.
JOHN NZE-BERTRAM , PRESIDENT, SWEET MOTHER INTER-NATIONAL, MAY 5, 1990
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2 SAVE CAMPAIGN PROJECT

The SAVE Campaign aims to raise the awareness of the increasing maternal mortality in Nigeria and to call on government, organisations and individuals to take action. In fact, the World Health Organisation report indicates that, over 600,000 pregnancy related deaths takes place in Africa each year and that Africa accounts for more than 50% .It is also disheartening to know that Nigeria records the highest rate of maternal mortality in the world after India. Our campaigns and rallies in Nigeria show clearly, that the issue of maternal death is rampant in rural areas of Nigeria and the menace is even more prevalent in the north-eastern part of Nigeria. with an average annual death rate of 64,000/year.
Sweet Mother International fundamental objectives is to celebrate motherhood and to assist expectant mothers living in disadvantaged communities to maintain good health during and after childbirth.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVE
SHORT TERM OBJECTIVES SAVE

1. To organize rallies, media campaigns, TV Talk Shows in order to highlight the
plight of women in Africa, particularly, the avoidable deaths of women from treatable pregnancy complications. 2. To call on governments and stakeholders to intervene in reducing maternal mortality rates in Africa; particularly, to call on African governments to provide free obstetrics care for women. 3. To mobilise support, donations and care for rural women in Africa, including visits to obstetrics hospitals to show love to new and expectant mothers.
LONG TERM OBJECTIVES SAVE

4. To establish a Trust Fund to assist rural women with obstetrics care. To achieve
this, SMI will be collaborating with governments and stakeholders to provide a free and efficient obstetrics care to rural women in Africa. In Africa, many families are poor and cannot afford caesarean operations in time of pregnancy breach; having free obstetrics care will invariable save hundreds of rural women.
Also, the TRUST FUND will be used to:

5. Establish a Mobile Maternal Health Unit (MMHU) that will visit rural communities to assess the health conditions of pregnant women, with a view to identifying at the earlier stages of pregnancy, women at risk of developing complications during childbirth. The MMHU comprises an ambulance equipped with obstetrics equipments (Ultra Sound machines etc) and medical personnel. 6. Establish an Obstetrics Emergency Intervention Unit (OEIU) that will rescue women experiencing complications from rural communities to a nearest obstetrics
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hospital. The OEIU comprises an ambulance or medic helicopters fitted with obstetrics equipments and manned by trained obstetricians and midwifes.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVE

UPCOMING
Sweet Mother International will assist displaced or refugee mothers affected by war or disaster SMI will provide volunteer services and provision of relief material The organization also,will embark on rehabilitation and care for widow, destitute, aged women and old-women-without-children. Mothers with HIV/AIDS will be as sisted to regain confidence in their homes. SMI will provide these women with basic resource, knowledge and tools to enable them cope with their challenges.
Sweet Mother International will assist pregnant women by organizing maternal seminars and establishment of Trust Fund where women that have complication during pregnancy or childbirth can be assisted. Young females will be tutored on home building and positive attitude.
Sweet Mother International will honour mothers of prominent personalities who have contributed positively to societal development. Such Mothers will have hospitals, women development centers and other memorial monuments built in their names. Also, biographies of these women will be compiled and developed into resource materials as magazines, books, visual documentaries and e-resources Museums will be established featuring the pictures, souvenirs and biographies of these "Golden Mothers".
Sweet Mother international will discourage prostitution, women battering, and harmful cultural practices by organizing seminars, television programs, reformative music & drama. The organization will also, encourages the youths to love their mothers and honour them. Competitions will be organized where Youths could win prices for their Mothers. Sweet Mother International will encourage cultural, racial and religious tolerance by organizing sight-seeing expeditions, touri sm, cultural ex-change programs and social interaction vacations among member countries. Sweet Mother International will examine and address critically the socio-economic and political situations affecting Mothers from performing their primary role as the epitome of love, care and hope in the home. The organization will emphasize the importance of healthy motherhood to positive societal developmental change.
4 CAMPAIGN AROUND AFRICA
ABUJA
The Sweet Mother international has speared its campaign in Abuja to draw the at tention of the teaming populace, corporate organisation and the government on th e raving effects of maternal mortality in Nigeria.The event which was graced by di gnitaries from the media, non governmental organisations, faith based organisatio n among other dignitaries highlighted the statistics of maternal mortality in Nigeri a and the causes and how it can be avoided.
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A cross Abuja
section of volunteers at the programme held in the unity fountain
A cross section of energetic youths saying Never Again to maternal Mortality in Africa
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Youths who are dedicated in the Campaign Against Maternal Mortality.
Archbishop John Onaiyekan of Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Nigeria , Formally gave his blessing at the Inauguration of Volunteers in Sabon-kawu a Remote Village in FCT Abuja
The FCT Coordinator of SMI,Pose for photograph with Chief Bitrus Tushi of Sabonkawu,Chief Peter Bala of Bjimi, Baba Gwari (Community Elder) and a Youth and Children of Sabon-Kawu.
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A Community Determined and has resolve to Campaign Against maternal Mortality r. Despite the Absence of Infrastruture, Clinics, Water, Electricity. But with Full of conviction that someday, somehow HELP will Come.
The Sweet Mother International Coordinators in Africa hosted series of successful rallies in major African cities and villages. These rallies aim to raise awareness of the need to stop maternal deaths in Africa.
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Rally activities include: processions to government, parliament and media houses; hosting of maternal health workshops and seminars; establishing community development projects ; donating of food, clothing and household items to orphans, widows, and hospitals; visiting traditional rulers - kings, chiefs and community leaders to mobilise their support; offering of prayers for expectant mothers in Churches, Mosques and other religious places to invoke divine protection from pregnancy-related deaths; and several other programs
Check out more detail about the 2011 Rally schedule to hold in Abuja HERE you may wish to partner with us or support us then send us an Email Please see previous rally pictures and reports at:
Nigeria: http://nigeria.sweetmotherinternational.org Liberia: http://liberia.sweetmotherinternational.org Ivory Coast: http://ivoire.sweetmotherinternational.org Kenya: http://kenya.sweetmotherinternational.org
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6 SMI PUBLICATION
The African Amazons
Sweet Mother International magazine which is Titled The African Amazons is designed to focus attention on women in Africa. It is a quarterly Magazine that will place emphasis on the fight to reduce maternal mortality in Africa, championing the cause of salvaging this ugly trend via the dissemination of cevents across Africa especially those in the rural Communities. The African Amazons hopes to be the voice of the voiceless African women. More so to x-ray the role of women in governance Africa. The essence of The Africa Amazon is to bridge information gap and finding soluti on to the increasing number of maternal mortality in Africa.Also ,reporting omen in Africa may not have access to it. all SMI activities across Africa not restricting it only on the internet, where most w especially in Africa, health issues, and championing the cause of women especially those in the remote villages of
Furthermore, the magazine will contain the aims and goals of SMI and it is our hope that it will be distributed free to women in rural communities in Africa.
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The African Amazon will afford heads of government in Africa the opportunity in knowing the plight and the true state of women in rural communities and finding ways of empowering them .
PURPOSE OF THE MAGAZINE

Enlightening the unsuspecting populace on the need to campaign to reduce maternal deaths in Africa The magazine will contain the activities, projects, goals of Sweet Mother International across Africa The magazine will serve as a guide to new and expectant mothers The magazine seeks to find causes of pregnancy related deaths in Africa and proffer solutions in curbing the menace, most especially in rural communities. It will project the activities of rural communities especially areas where health care facilities are near absent. The magazine will be a tabloid that will contain updated reports from communities and hospital across Africa Using the Magazine as a medium of bridging information gap, it seeks to call attention of NGO, Intergovernmental organisation, Philanthropists in channelling their resources towards addressing the issue of maternal deaths in Africa
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5 THE VOLUNTEERS OF SMI

PRESIDENT OF SMI
John Nze-Bertram, right, with his Excellency Mike Rann, Premier of South Australia
John Nze-Bertram, the President of Sweet Mother International is a Sponsoring Member of the Institute of Ethics and Leadership,Germany; Member of the United Nations Society University of South Australia ; President of the African Chamber of Commerce Incorporated South Australia; Australian National Coordinator of Club OHADA - Organization for the Harmonization of Business Laws in Africa; International Team Leader of the " South Australian Trade and Tourism Project coordinating and networking with over 600 organizations worldwide. He is also the Managing Director of Strategic Trades Services- Import & Export Network -- an import and export brokerage company based in South Australia.
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John Nze-Bertram is an alumni of South Australian Government Vocational Education and Training (TAFESA) - Interlink Program; School of International Studies University of South Australia; Commercial Law University of South Australia; continuing studies at the School of Law, University of South Australia. In South Australia, John Nze-Bertram served as a volunteer for a local council where he assisted the physically challenged to acquire technical and social skills, and to integrate into the community. In addition, he has participated actively in advancing the African community development initiatives in South Australia. For example: supporting the government's social integration program that aims to promote multiculturalism and inclusiveness, John Nze-Bertram participated actively in mobilizing the African community leaders to the South Australian Parliament House on an invitation by the Honourable Speaker; followed by his nomination as a special guest among Nigerian community leaders to a luncheon, at the Parliament House, with the Attorney General of South Australia and Nigerian High Commissioner; Also recently, among other African community members in South Australia, John Nze-Bertram was specially invited by His Excellency, Mike Rann, the Premier of South Australia, to an occasion honouring the contribution of Africans to the development of the State-( Pictures above);On other occasions, he has met, greeted with a hand shake and discussed with several prominent Australians including his Excellency,J. Howard,the former Prime Minister of Australia,and his Excellency, Mr Hieu Van Le, the Chairman of the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission (SAMEAC) and the Lieutenant Governor of South Australia.
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Mr. Nze-Bertram is a dedicated and versatile administrator, with several years of experience among international not-for-profit organizations and private enterprises. He possess extensive skills, knowledge and experience in strategic project management -planning,networking,analyzing,implementing,integrating,monitoring and reviewing. Strong blend of managerial, professional and interpersonal skills. Proven success working under pressure within stringent time frames and meeting demanding targets. Capacity to make difficult decisions and achieve results. Ability to achieve goals with limited resources and t o facilitate and complex negotiation situations with across linguistically and culturally diverse groups. He has pioneered the establishment of several organizations-political, religious and civil organizations.He is a humble person with passion to serve humanity and delights in helping people overcome challenging setbacks and to realize their goals . Hobbies: As hobbies, John Nze-Bertram likes to play soccer, listen to music, and network via virtual communities platforms. He also likes to travel and experience new cultures. Expectation Through SMI-WYEA programs, John Nze-Bertram wishes to establish effective networking and exchange partnership with like minded leaders of community organizations with a view to advancing progress in Africa and helping to stop the avoidable deaths of women from pregnancy complications.
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INTERNATIONAL PROJECT OFFICER
Amanda Scott Amanda Scott is the International Project Officer of Sweet Mother International (SMI) and the World Youth Empowerment Association (WYEA) Incorporated. She is delighted to be a part of the campaign to Save African Women from Pregnancy-Related Deaths. As a mother of three boys delivered by caesarean operations, Amanda has experienced a near death experience as a result of her pregnancy complications; albeit, the efficient obstetric care in her country, Australia, Amanda would have been dead if she were living in a rural African community. Amanda heart goes to all women in Africa, particularly, to the expectant mothers
who are unsure if they will have a save delivery.
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According to Amanda,here in Australia, the government takes adequate care of wo men and childrens health. They even pay women up to $5000 after birth. We have t he Royal Flying Doctors who airlifts pregnant women experiencing complications from rural areas to an obstetrics hospital; the doctors among the team, can even ad minister appropriate induced labour procedures to assist a safe delivery. Amandas passion to assist maternal health in Africa is a motivating factor for her f urther studies in the field of Medical Science. She has had a successful career in Sales and Marketing and studies at the University of South Australia. I am dedicated to this cause to Save African Women from Pregnancy Related Deaths says Amanda. With SMIs ongoing programs in Africa, Amanda says I am certain to visit someday soon to meet all the good people of Africa who are supporting this campaign.
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FCT ABUJA COORDINATOR
Adeshina J Mathew He is a building Engineer by Profession. He has worked with Humanitarian Organisation in the past and his ever ready towards the general good and well being of the society . According to Adeshina his passion to serve humanity is something that gives him that innermost JOY and Satisfaction. This same passion was the major reason why he was an inducted member of the Junior Chambers International (JCI) ; an organisation that uphold democratic parliamentary tenets and to promote the culture of serving humanity at local and international levels. In 2003 He was accredited by the Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) to monitor and record on the spot electioneering events in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nigeria. He is a professional building engineering consultant and a certified project manager. He also hold Incorporate membership of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) UK. His Knowledge of Project Management has enabled him to
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execute building projects in difficult, remote, laid back rural settlements of Nigeria. According to him Working within remote communities, I observed that these communities were grossly neglected by the Government; as a result, there exists high rate of poverty, illiteracy and of course, very high maternal mortality incidents. He is an advocate of peace and enjoins each and every privileged member of our society to cultivate the habit of extending a helping hand to our brothers and sisters who have found themselves in these dangerous and life threatening conditions, as exists in Nigerian rural communities. He has resolved to lend his voice and by actively campaigning to save Nigerian women from poverty, illiteracy and pregnancy related deaths.
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Ag National Coordinator/Kwara State Coordinator
Alao Ladi Mr Alao has several years of working experience ,He works with the Kwara state Essential Drugs Project,Ilorin,A world bank Assisted Project .He had his National Youth Service at Government Secondary School,Akwanga,Nassarawa State. He was played a key role at the Kwara Eye Care Programmme, Civil Service Hospital (A Sight Savers International [British NGO] Assisted program, ) He gets fulfillment by participating in volunteer programs. To him nothing is too much to give back to humanity.He is perturbed by the rate of maternal mortality in Nigeria . And he is willing to give supporting hands to ensure women are saved from pregnancy related deaths.
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SWEET MOTHER RADIO/TV COORDINATOR
Olumide Akinwumi-Oke
Mr Olumide Akinwumi-Oke has Over 14 years experience in Customer / Clients Management, Mainstream Sales / Marketing and Quality Management.For several years Country Customer Services Manager of DHL Nigeria. As an avid writer, he has extensive experience in acting, directing and film production Produced both radio and television programmes including: -Skye High (daily 5 minute motivational programme on radio presented by the former Group Managing Director of Skye Bank), E360 - entertainment full circle programme pan Nigeria, Kebani - tourism magazine show, Golden Pasta Cook n Win - cookery game show, Veleta Celebs! - celebration magazine show, Power for the Wise - early morning inspirational show. Has a special knack for documentaries and has done for several clients and groups. Olumide holds a degree in law and has attended several trainings, locally and inter nationally, on Marketing, Management and Television production. His strength is in Directing, Planning and Organizing.
The SMI has lot of passionate,energetic and change oriented personalities spread across the African continent.Check out SMI volunteers and coordinators Here
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7.0 APPENDIX
DEFINATION OF KEY TERMS
Maternal Death: the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management, but not from accidental or incidental causes. Late Maternal Death: the death of a woman from direct or indirect obstetric causes more than 42 days but less than one year after termination of pregnancy. Pregnancy-Related Death: death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the cause of death. Maternal Morbidity describes pregnancy- and childbirth-related illness and injury. Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): Number of maternal deaths during a given time period per 100,000 live births during the same time-period. Maternal Mortality Rate: Number of maternal deaths in a given period per 100,000 women of reproductive age during the same time-period. Adolescents are those between 10 and 19 years of age.
. . . Nigeria, on a percentage basis, leads the world in maternal mortality statistics. This is an unacceptable state of affairs which is largely traceable to the leadership problem in the country. In a country where funds that are meant for equipping hospitals and employment of doctors, especially at the tertiary level, are routinely fraudulently misappropriated and shared by politicians, the population, especially the women, cannot but pay dearly for lack of, and inadequate medical facilities, during pregnancy and childbirth. Daily Sun, Voice of the Nation, Worrisome Maternal Death Records.
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7.1 THE ROOT CAUSES OF MATERNAL DEATH

Eclampsia or pregnancy related hypertension Haemorrhage / Bleeding Infection Sepsis Unsafe Abortion Obstructed Labour Indirect causes Aneamia,Tuberculosis,STDs,HIV/AIDs etc
According to The paper presentation by WHO, these are some of the major barriers to appropriate obstetric emergency care (EOC) in the African Region. These include: frequent shortages or lack of medications, essential supplies and equipment; inadequate blood transfusion services; inefficient laboratory support services; inadequate staffing, shortage of appropriately trained personnel and lack of staff supervision; shortage of operating theatres for obstetric emergencies, resulting in delays in surgical interventions;
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weak policy on delegation of authority for the management of obstetric emergencies, and mismanagement of obstetric complications as a result of staff incompetence, negligence or poor attitude. Timely access to appropriate obstetric emergency care (EOC) could avert 75% of these deaths, according to the paper, which enumerates the delays on the pathway to appropriate care in the Region. These are: delay in seeking care in health facilities, delay in reaching appropriate health facilities, and the delay between a pregnant woman's arrival at a health center and the facility's response in providing appropriate care.
7.2 KEY INTERVENTION

Prevention of unwanted Pregnancy The management of unsafe abortion Promotion of skilled attendance in Pregnancy and child birth and improvement of access to referral care when complications arise.
7.3
THE NEEDS OF A TYPICAL RURAL IN COMMUNITY NIGERIA.
Education of the rural dwellers Equipping of rural clinics and health centers with facility and qualified personnel. Availability of soft loans which will facilitate trades and thereby improve the standard of living Provisions of water through the sitting of boreholes within the community. Skill acquisition by setting up vocational centers within the community
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Sweet Mother International aims to celebrate motherhood and to assist expectant mothers living in disadvantaged communities to maintain good health during and after childbirth. In Line with this objective, The SMI and its partners have embarked on series of the Campaign in major cities and rural places of Nigeria and Africa at large. From our campaigns and interaction with the people concerned, we have also highlighted some factors which have contributed to these menace:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
High and ever increasing rate of poverty. lack of infrastructure. Illiteracy. Cultural believe and tradition. Corruption
7.4 STAKEHOLDERS
In order to achieve our set objective, we have indentified key stakeholders that are responsible for the goal and success towards the achievement of low maternal mortality in Nigeria and Africa at large.
GOVERNMENT
The government is a major stakeholder, and we hope that the government will continue be open to recommendation outlines by globally acclaimed organisations like WHO,DFID,USAID,SMI,JDPC among a host of other and will also outline well laid out policy plan for its implementation.
PRIVATE AND NON PROFIT ORGANISATION

Civil societies should continue to lend their voice to the ills of our society and should take strategic steps in mobilizing for the support, by calling on government to act promptly and the community to do its bit by becoming socially responsible citizens. Corporation are also expected to have their ears to the ground and be
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willing to offer support both morally and financially as a way of filling their quota as a socially responsible corporations.
COMMUNITY
The Community is at the receiving end, and all hands should be on deck towards the elimination of an ailment that is not only treatable but can also be avoided. The SMI has embarked on series of campaign in various community in Nigeria and Africa at large so as to enlighten the community member especially the expectant mother on Global Best Health Practises and precautionary measures During and after Pregnancy. Lot of people from the community including the Doctor,Nurses,Teachers,Social health workers etc.
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SweetMother International

Picture -Broken Promises Published by Center for Reproductive Rights

7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.5

Brief History About SMI

2 SAVE CAMPAIGN PROJECT

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE

SHORT TERM OBJECTIVES SAVE

LONG TERM OBJECTIVES SAVE

Also, the TRUST FUND will be used to:

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE

4 CAMPAIGN AROUND AFRICA

section of volunteers at the programme held in the unity fountain

Youths who are dedicated in the Campaign Against Maternal Mortality.

Nigeria: http://nigeria.sweetmotherinternational.org Liberia: http://liberia.sweetmotherinternational.org Ivory Coast: http://ivoire.sweetmotherinternational.org Kenya: http://kenya.sweetmotherinternational.org

PURPOSE OF THE MAGAZINE

5 THE VOLUNTEERS OF SMI

INTERNATIONAL PROJECT OFFICER

who are unsure if they will have a save delivery.

FCT ABUJA COORDINATOR

Ag National Coordinator/Kwara State Coordinator

SWEET MOTHER RADIO/TV COORDINATOR

7.1 THE ROOT CAUSES OF MATERNAL DEATH

7.2 KEY INTERVENTION

THE NEEDS OF A TYPICAL RURAL IN COMMUNITY NIGERIA.

PRIVATE AND NON PROFIT ORGANISATION

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