
Learn More about
Who We Are

Our mission is to prevent maternal and neonatal death in childbirth and to treat and prevent gynecologic complications of childbirth in rural Ethiopia.

Our Story
As a young girl, Margaret “Migs” Muldrow, MD, lived in southwestern Ethiopia, where her parents worked to establish educational, agricultural, and medical programs. Migs spent much of her childhood helping in a small medical clinic, an experience that ultimately led her to a career in medicine.
Years later, when she returned to Ethiopia, Migs discovered that as many as one in 10 women still die in childbirth, and 30 to 40% of those who survive are left with severe gynecologic problems. Nothing had changed in all of her time away.
Community leaders approached Migs with a request: partner with them to improve maternal health. With her knowledge of the area’s language, culture, and medical needs, she was in a unique position to create an organization that could help tackle the challenges faced by women living in some of the poorest and most remote parts of rural Ethiopia.
With the encouragement of David Douglas, Migs, Ruth Harada, MD, William Kent, PhD, Laury Bowman, JD and Cindy Nichol, MA, MPP (who also grew up in Ethiopia) came together and a small board was formed and the Village Health Partnership was launched. Each year, VHP board members and other volunteers travel to Ethiopia to work with community leaders to review progress, perform needs assessments, and define future programs and funding priorities. In the United States, board members and volunteers have logged countless hours working to raise money to support community-based efforts for safer motherhood in Ethiopia.
Our Values

Human Rights
Safe and effective maternal health care is a basic human right for women around the globe.

Partnership
All projects and programs in Ethiopia are community-based and community-driven.

Collaboration
Resources are scarce. We are open to partnering with organizations around the world who are committed to safer motherhood.

Sustainability
We are a grassroots organization that works to support local leadership, train, mentor, and build long term relationships with communities in order to foster sustainable change.
Our Team
We have a network of partners in the United States and on the ground in Ethiopia. Our work would not be possible without them.
A special thank you for their leadership and for their ongoing commitment to safer motherhood.

Margaret “Migs” Muldrow, MD

Laury Bowman, JD

Ruth Harada, MD

Peter VanArsdale, PhD

William Kent, PhD

Cindy Nichol, MA, MPP

Artsy Geek

Purpose Aligned

Patty Kelly, RN

Hollis Pence, PhD

William Lajoie, CPA

Haik Kocharian

Madeleine Gehrig

Susan Barnett

Ethiopian Government

Afro Ethiopia Integrated Development

SunTransfer Tech & Solar Energy Foundation

Mizan Tepi University Teaching Hospital (MTUTH)

Teklemariam Ergat, PhD Fellow

Yared Deyas, BSC, MHP

Mizan Aman Health Sciences College

Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus Development & Social Service Committee

Bir Bir Dila Synod Development and Social Service Committee

Aira Hospital

Tesgera Dinka, MD

Tariku Wakuma, MD

Warkineh Gemechu, MD

Aira Hospital School of Nursing

Western Wollega Bethel Synod Development & Social Service Committee

Dugasa Beyene

Bishatu Dinka

Fistula Foundation

Mennonite Central Committee

Rotary International

Tropical Health Alliance Foundation

Water Engineers for the Americas and Africa (WEFTA)

Dr. Isaak

Shimaji Gurchima

Ahmed Mustefa

Erkyehun Pawlos Sash

Mitiku Abdisa

Lauren Gallagher
