Asociación Manos Abiertas
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- Young mother and her newborn at the AMA clinic
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- Some of the staff and volunteers of Manos Abiertas
written by Hannah Freiwald
Asociación Manos Abiertas (AMA) was founded in March 2008 in response to the urgent need for reproductive health services in Ciudad Vieja. Our mission is to offer a safe and welcoming place where health services are provided for women by women, in a respectful and confidential manner without discrimination. We strive to treat the woman as a whole, in an environment where they feel safe to express, think and make decisions for themselves.
Accomplishments
Since we started Manos Abiertas (Open Hands), we have become a trusted haven for women’s health and have served over 1,700 women, most of whom have become regular clients. Due to the incredible community support we received in Ciudad Vieja, we opened a second clinic in zone 11 of Guatemala City last July.
Services
We offer gynecological services, family planning counseling and obstetric services, including pre- and post-natal visits, and humanized birth. Additionally, we provide free pediatric and psychological services twice a week, emergency care, referrals to legal services and weekly educational radio shows on local station Radio Colonial.
We have just started our Sponsor a Birth Program, where we match donors with women who have the desire, but not the resources, to give birth at our clinics. Sponsoring a birth is a direct and effective way to help address issues of access to women’s health care in Guatemala. By supporting a woman’s birth, you are giving her the ability to choose and control the path of her birth. For a donation of $125 you can sponsor a natural, humanized birth for women who cannot afford to pay even our lowest prices. Along with your donation, you will receive a photo and a story of the mother and child you support.
How to help
We have an apprentice program and look to work with experienced midwives, doulas and other alternative health practitioners. For more information about any of our programs, please visit www.AsociacionManosAbiertas.org or send us an email manosabiertasgt@gmail.com.