International MotherBaby Support

HAPPY MAMA HEALTHY BABY AFRICA ALLIANCE

ENDING OBSTETRIC VIOLENCE THROUGH DOULA ADVOCACY

Wholistic Midwifery School is coming to Africa!

Join our Doula Mission of Service to South Africa in 2026

Apply for a Scholarship to Take Our Doula Training in Pretoria, South Africa in 2026

Happy Mamas and Healthy Babies

Mamas heureuses et bébés en bonne santé

Furaha ya Mamm na Watoto walio na Afya

Umu nne nwere obi uto

Ilmaha Caafimaadka Farxsan ee Mamas

Awọn ọmọ inu ilera Ọmọ Mamas

What is Obstetric Violence?

Obstetric violence includes any act that causes harm in the context of pregnancy care. It is a type of violence against females and a violation of human rights.

If you experience obstetric violence, you might feel shamed, ignored, disrespected, helpless or violated.

Any type of healthcare worker could be responsible for obstetric violence, whether they interact with you during pregnancy, childbirth or soon after your baby is born”.

LEARN MORE

HAPPY MAMA HEALTHY BABY AFRICA ALLIANCE

We are excited to announce the launch of HAPPY MAMA HEALTHY BABY AFRICA ALLIANCE (HMHBAA), Wholistic Midwifery School of Southern California (DBA Happy Mama Healthy Baby Alliance) is a registered non-governmental organization in Ghana, West Africa and South Africa, and is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity in California, USA.

Under the direction of HMHBAA South Africa Country Director Moora Letsoalo, a doula and perinatal health educator, this project provides Doula Training for community perinatal health workers, nurses and midwives in Pretoria, South Africa. We will be providing a doula training and certification in 2026, and will bring a delegation of American birth workers to South Africa to provide labor doula services, peer lactation support, postpartum care, and perinatal health education. Advanced learning opportunities for Midwives and Traditional Birth Attendants will be offered as well.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Post-aparteid South African childbearing women face grave disparities based on their economic status. Disadvantaged, impoverished women have poorer birth outcomes than their wealthier counterparts such as low birth weight, prematurity and maternal mortality. Mothers also struggle to breastfeed successfully without proper instruction. Sadly, many women experience disrespect and mistreatment during their childbirth experiences, and fathers and professional advocates are very rarely present during births to protect them.from this obstetric violence. “Many mothers have no blankets or clothes to take their babies home in, so we wrap them in pillow cases —the only thing we have available to clothe them in” says Moora Letosoalo, Certified Doula and HMHBAA Country Director of HMHBAA South Africa. “There is a need to focus on training South African women as advocates for other women and also to train nurses and midwives on the impact of disrespect during childbirth” says Letosalo. “We are so excited to launch Happy Mama Healthy Baby Africa Alliance here in South Africa,” she said.

MESSAGE FROM SOUTH AFRICA COUNTRY DIRECTOR MOORA LETSOALO

AMERICAN BIRTH WORKERS: JOIN OUR MISSION TO SOUTH AFRICA IN 2026

We are accepting inquiries from interested American birth workers who would like to join our mission of service to South African pregnant women providing childbirth and lactation support and prenatal education in clinics and hospitals in Pretoria, South Africa. Dormitory-style housing, meals and local transportation will be provided by in-country hosts.

AMERICAN DELEGATION TARGET AUDIENCE

We will be taking a delegation of 4-6 American Birth Workers on our 2026 South Africa trip. We are accepting inquiries from American birth workers who would like to be part of the delegation. Send us an email.

Birth & Postpartum Doulas
Midwifery Students
Moora Letsoalo,. Doula & Childbirth Educator, teaching breastfeeding education class to new mothers, Pretoria, South Africa
Registered Midwives
Registered Nurses
Licensed Midwives
Certified Professional Midwives
Certified Nurse-Midwives
Perinatal and Women’s Health Educators
Public Health Practitioners with a focus on maternal and child health.

Licensed Midwives, Registered Midwives, Certified Nurse-Midwives

We are recruiting clinical preceptors for this project. Please contact us if interested and send a CV or resume or call us at (626) 388-2191 ext. 1..

Participants chosen for delegation agree to:

Participate in group fundraising efforts for HMHBAA Doula Mission of Service
Self-finance personal round-trip airfare from local city to Pretoria, South Africa
Apply for Visa to South Africa and Self-Finance all Fees
Self-finance and obtain all required travel immunizations
Have prior experience with international travel; Africa preferred
Be a Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula and/or have Midwifery Training or License/Certification/Registry
Have knowledge and skills to teach perinatal health education (Certified Childbirth Educator & Certified Lactation Educator).
Ability to conduct prenatal care (Midwife, Midwifery Student or Traditional Birth Attendant) highly desirable.
Able to provide labor and birth support and postpartum care and work 10-12 hour shifts/24 hours per day

RECEIVE A SCHOLARSHIP TO ATTEND COMMUNITY BIRTH DOULA TRAINING IN SOUTH AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICAN TARGET AUDIENCE

We are offering the opportunity to participate in these training opportunities and learning collaborative to 20 South African women who would like to receive training and support expectant and new mothers and infants in their communities. Contact us to express your interest. Opportunity open to all South African citizens.

Mothers and Grandmothers
Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs)
Student Midwives and Student Nurses
Pregnant mother and her children, Ghana, West Africa
Community Health Promoters
Registered Midwives
Maternity Nurses
Licensed Midwives

MATERNAL-CHILD HEALTH PROFESSIONALS INVITED TO ATTEND

PROFESSIONAL TARGET AUDIENCE

Hospital Administrators
Public Health Administrators
Grant-Making Organizations
NGOs
Ministers of Maternal-Child Health
Nurse Administrators

ABOUT THE TRAININGS

The Birth Doula Training and The Postpartum Doula Training will be offered over a period of two months in Pretoria, South Africa. Each training is 32-hours or 4 days, eight hours per day. Twenty scholarships will be given to African women who would like to become community Doulas and serve their community. Application and interview is required. Certification is offered through Happy Mama Healthy Baby Alliance. After the training, Community Doulas and Breastfeeding Peer Counselors and Perinatal Health Promoters will commit to working with expectant and new mothers and infants in Pretoria, South Africa providing childbirth and lactation health education labor support and postpartum care to women and infants at regional hospitals and clinics in South Africa.

DONATE TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT

We are seeking monetary donations for travel expenses, and items bring with us to South Africa during our mission trip. Please contact us to make arrangements to deliver items. Your gift is tax-deductible. Here are some items we need:

Baby Onsies and Newborn to 6 month baby outfits (new or gently worn)
Pregnant mother and Doula, Ghana, West Africa
Baby Pajamas Newborn up to 6 months (gently used or new)
Swaddling Blankets (store-bought or handmade)
Baby Hats (Store bought or handmade)
Nightgowns/Labor Gowns for Mothers (Store Bought or handmade)
Slippers of all sizes
Chux Disposable UnderPads
Hospital Size Sanitary Pads & Nursing Pads
Lanolin nipple creme
Nursing Bras of all sizes (gently used or new)
Diapers (Cloth) & Diaper Covers (handmade or store bought).
Baby Slings (handmade or gently used or new).
Birth Balls/Exercise Balls
Childbirth Education Supplies (fetal models, charts, DVDs, Client education materials).
Breastpumps (battery & electric and new or sanitized disposable parts).
Massage Oil, Aromatherapy (Lavender, Rose).
Herbal Remedies
Sitz Bath Herbs
Rebozos/Shawls
Sterile and Non-Sterile Gloves
Fetal Doppler, Fetoscopes
Belly Measuring Tape
Portable Birthing Tubs (new or used) & Pumps
Birth Chairs
Newborn “Fish” Sling Scale
Deelee Suction Catheters

COMMUNITY BIRTH DOULA TRAINING AND HEART AND HANDS POSTPARTUM DOULA TRAINING OFFERED

We will be offering two courses in-person in Pretoria, South Africa in 2026. Each course is 32-hours, held over four days, 8 hours per day. The Birth Doula Training and The Postpartum Doula Training will be offered for 20 African women who apply for and are chosen to receive scholarships. Certification is offered through Happy Mama Healthy Baby Alliance.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM PAST TRAININGS

TOPICS COVERED IN TRAINING

Participants in Doula Training

Doula Track (Prenatal, Antenatal & Postpartum Track):

Overview of Obstetric Violence & Respectful Maternity Care
Impact of Sexual Abuse/Trauma on Pregnancy & Childbirth & Postpartum
Menstrual Health Awareness
Fertility Awareness & Conception
Natural Family Planning & Contraception
Prevention and treatment of STDs, HIV in Pregnancy
Working with Mothers with Malaria in Pregnancy
Working with women who have experienced Female Genital Cutting (female circumcision)
Infant Mental Health: Reducing Birth Trauma
Understanding the Birth Process
Skills for Supporting Mothers Through Labor (emotional and physical support skills)
Supporting Emotional Well-Being During Pregnancy & Postpartum (Maternal Mental Health)
Physical Care of Mothers and Newborns
Newborn Appearance & Behavior
Newborn Procedures
Nutrition during Pregnancy and Lactation and Postpartum
Engaging Fathers in Pregnancy, Childbirth and Postpartum Care of Mothers
Labor Support Methods and Techniques
Supporting Breastfeeding and Addressing Breastfeeding Problems
Supporting waterbirth (Guest Speaker TBA)
Prenatal & Postpartum Yoga for Mamas and Babies (Taught by Doulas)

Midwife Gives Antenatal Check-Up While Father Looks On

Nursing, Midwifery & Traditional Birth Attendant Track:

Assessment of Fetal Lie, Position and Weight (Leopold’s Manuevers)
Estimating and Managing Blood Loss
Helping Babies Breathe (Neonatal Resuscitation & Pediatric Life Support)
Management of Shoulder Dystocia
Management of Retained Placenta
IV and Venipuncture
Suturing and Repair of Lacerations
Fetal Heartrate Auscultation Methods and Interpretation and Protocols

DOULA TRAINING COURSE LEADERS

Cordelia Hanna-Cheruiyot, MPH, CHES, ICCE, CLE, CBA

Cordelia Hanna-Cheruiyot is the founder and Executive Director of Happy Mama Healthy Baby Alliance (HMHBA), and is the principal course leader and curriculum developer for the organization’s doula trainings and programs. She .is a mother and grandmother, and a seasoned public health professional, doula and midwife, with 35 years of experience in maternity care. Ms. Hanna-Cheruiyot is an appreniceship-trained midwife and holds a Masters in Public Health (MPH) in Health Education and Promotion/Maternal Child Health from Loma Linda University, and is a Certified Health Education Specialist through NCHEC. She is also a Certified Childbirth Educator with ICEA, a Certified Birth Assistant and Postpartum Doula (ALACE), and Certified Lactation Educator (CAPPA). Cordelia has worked as a professional labor companion, monitrice and midwife and perinatal health educator for three decades. Cordelia has worked with several midwives in home and birth center settings in California and Oregon, USA for three decades.

Ms. Hanna-Cheruiyot worked as a Health Educator for the Pasadena Public Health Department Black Infant Health Program, a project funded by the California Department of Health Services to reduce premature births, low birth weight and maternal mortality disparities among African-American women and infants. Here, she established the very first community doula program at a public health department in Los Angeles County and succeeded in lowering preterm births, low birth weight and infant and maternal mortality in Pasadena, California from 2002-2012.

For four years, Cordelia worked with Esperanza Community Housing Corporation providing Perinatal Support Specialist training for Community Health Promoters (“Promatoras de Salud”) to address perinatal health inequities among childbearing women of color in South Los Angeles, CA.

She is married to a Ghanian man and together they enjoy an international lifestyle spanning two continents.

Tai Carson and Cordelia Hanna-Cheruiyot Teaching Doula Training

Tai Carson, BA, CPSS, CPD, CMA

Tai Carson Tai Carson is a retired midwife with 35+ years experience and has attended over 700 births. She is the Coordinator of Happy Mama Healthy Baby’s Nurturing Roots Postpartum Doula Service for Black Families. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, she comes from a mixed heritage of African-American, Chinese, and Eastern European ancestry.

Tai has over three decades of experience in maternity and newborn care, as well as general healthcare. She currently focuses on postpartum doula support and palliative (end of life) care.

Ms. Carson has a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Services from California State University, Los Angeles, along with an Associate’s Certificate in Counseling Psychology. Additionally, she is a Registered Medical Assistant in Washington State, where she worked at a rural primary health clinic.Tai is a certified Postpartum Doula, Certified Perinatal Support Specialist, Certified Childbirth Educator.

From 1999 to 2005, she was the owner/midwife at The Hollywood Birth Center in Los Angeles, where she trained several apprentices and doulas. She has worked in home birth and birth center midwifery practices in Washington, Los Angeles, and Mt. Shasta, California.

As a perinatal health educator, Tai served as a trainer for Birth Emergency Skills Training (B.E.S.T.) and co-conducted Happy Mama Healthy Baby Alliance’s Perinatal Support Specialist Training at Esperanza Community Housing Corporation’s Promotora de Salud Program from 2013 to 2015. “As a woman of color, doula, health educator, midwife and a maternal-infant health advocate, I am dedicated to eradicating health disparities among childbearing women of color in my community. I am thrilled to work on programs aimed at improving African-American perinatal health inequities, which is long overdue” says Ms. Carson.

SOUTH AFRICA COUNTRY DIRECTOR

Moora

Community Doula Coordinator & Supervisor – South Africa

Moora Olebogeng Letsoalo serves as the South Africa Program Director for Happy Mama Healthy Baby Africa Alliance. She is the Doula Program Coordinator and Supervisor for HMHBAA Community Doulas.

Based in Pretoria, South Africa, she is a dedicated community doula, childbirth educator, and lactation specialist. Moora provides essential perinatal health education and comprehensive labor and postpartum support to underserved pregnant and postpartum mothers and their infants. Her mission is to improve maternal and infant outcomes by promoting exclusive breastfeeding, prenatal education, labor assistance, and postpartum care, ultimately ensuring survival and well-being.

With six years of experience, Moora has been conducting antenatal and postnatal classes, equipping mothers for childbirth, and offering postpartum support at Stanza Bopape CHC Clinic and across Mamelodi West and Silverton areas in Tshwane. She has attended numerous births, with a special focus on supporting high-risk cases and young mothers.

Passionate about reproductive justice, Moora has pioneered maternal health and wellness initiatives, including the first full-spectrum reproductive service in Mamelodi. She has also facilitated groups for expectant mothers to openly share their experiences with birth, loss, abortion, and miscarriage. Through her compassionate work, Moora continues to make a profound impact on maternal and infant health in her community. She is a mother of three.

AFRICA CONTINENT DIRECTOR

Kennedy Kattah, BS

Kennedy Kattah, BS, Africa Continent Director, is an entrepreneur who has worked across various sectors including journalism, farming, trade imports and exports, and real estate, in his native country of Ghana, and Liberia located in West Africa. He is originally from Keta, Ghana, which is situated in the Volta Region, near Accra, Ghana. Kennedy belongs to the Ewe tribe. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Cuttington University College in Luacoco, Liberia and worked in Liberia, West Africa, where he served as an embedded journalist with the resistance fighters during the coup-de-tete and war. He has one son named Ken who is a college student in Liberia.

Kennedy works with country directors and stakeholders on the African continent to bring opportunities to improve maternal and child health through our programs and services in Africa.

As a father, he is committed to empowering men to be be present for their wives during the maternity care experience and strives to provide more support for young men to become engaged and supportive fathers to their children and their mothers.

ALIGNMENT WITH INTERNATIONAL MOTHERBABY CHILDBIRTH ORGANIZATION

Our work is aligned with The International MotherBaby Childbirth Organization (IMBCO) who has joined forces with the Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) developing a single global initiative to provide guidance and support for safe and respectful maternity care, building upon their previous work and incorporating the most recent evidence and insights into what constitutes optimal maternal and newborn health.

Launched in 2018, this initiative, The International Childbirth Initiative (ICI): 12 Steps to Safe and Respectful MotherBaby-Family Maternity Care provides clear steps for implementing evidence-based maternity care worldwide, acknowledging the interaction between the MotherBaby dyad, Family and Environment as well as their interactions with health providers and health systems. The ICI also supports the implementation of the 12 steps and self-initiated quality improvement mechanisms that can be used to monitor process, effect and engagement in safe and respectful maternity services.

For more information, see 12 Steps to Safe and Respectful MotherBaby-Family Maternity Care, please download here.

CONTACT US

HAPPY MAMA HEALTHY BABY AFRICA ALLIANCE – MAIN OFFICE IN AFRICA