Support expecting mothers with prenatal care

The first-ever Congolese Women's Forum  by itsBisonabiso is coming together for the Elaka foundation. Let's #supportelaka in making maternal healthcare accessible to the vulnerable communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Elaka  recently launched a maternal voucher program to subsidize prenatal care for vulnerable mothers. 

While globally, the rate of maternal mortality is declining, the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains critical.

35 percent of female deaths among those of reproductive age are related to maternal causes, putting 1 out of every 18 women at risk of death ( United States Agency International Development (USAID). 2018. Democratic Republic of the Congo: Nutrition Profile.)

In addition to the high maternal mortality rate in D.R. Congo, did you know that women are also held captive in hospitals from not being able to pay their childbirth bill? This news report  was back in 2010 and this news report  was in September 2020.  Some women have been held captive so long that they've become pregnant once more while in custody.



No mother should have to die or be held captive for giving birth.

Founded by in 2019 by research scientist Bibi Ndala , Elaka  was established with the mission to promote and advocate for preventive public health measures, as well as to increase access to healthcare for mothers and children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), one province at a time. 

Elaka’s  aim is to enhance, support, and re-enforce local hospitals, clinics, and initiatives such as the TOUT EST GRACE clinic founded by Madame Jeanine that educate and raise awareness on maternal health. As well as improve the health condition of men, women, and children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 




Why does maternal health matter?

HEALTH
Newborns and children whose mother died from maternal causes face increased nutrition deficits compared to children with living mothers, putting them at a greater risk of death.

ECONOMY
There is a financial loss within the household when mothers die.
​This hinders families as most mothers tend to find informal mechanisms of obtaining an income and providing support to their families.

SOCIETY
When mothers die from maternal health-related factors, there can be a psychological and social impact on the members of families and communities since they are important figures in children’s lives.

EDUCATION
Older children may become at greater risk of dropping out of school to care for the family when a mother dies. Children become responsible for tasks in the household attributed to the mother in her absence.


The funds raised will be used for three main things:

1) Fund the pregnancy voucher program that subsidizes the cost of prenatal care
2)An awareness campaign to educate and maternal health in communities 
3) Two conduct an urgent maternal health needs assessment in two rural clinic/hospital

Please donate if you can to help support. Any amount is incremental, even 5$ to 10$ dollars can make a difference. 



Your donation is tax-deductable. Elaka is a not-for-profit organization registered in DR Congo and fiscally sponsored in the USA by FOTC that focuses on educating and raising awareness on maternal health.

The Friends of the Congo (FOTC) is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt and advocacy organization based in Washington, DC.