Access to health care is severely limited for most Ethiopians, particularly women and children. In most rural regions, many women travel over six miles on foot to reach a dilapidated and under-staffed health facility. As a result, over 25,000 women and girls die each year due to pregnancy-related complications. More than 500,000 suffer from complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

The HOLT INTERNATIONAL Shinshicho Maternal Health Clinic and Family Strengthening Program is located in Ethiopia’s Kacha-Bira District, a poor, rural area of Ethiopia with a population of about 176,000. In 2009 the clinic served over 23,600 patients. Holt’s outreach provides primary health care services by supplying birthing kits to expantant mothers, addressing the immediate health needs of women and children, and providing long-term services to ensure family stability.

In Ethiopia, 1 out of 13 children die before reaching their first birthday and 25,000 women die annually from pregnancy-related complications.