mothers2mothers

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURs

Mitch Besser, Gene Falk and Robin Smalley

FOUNDED

2001

MISSION

Prevent mother-to-child transmission of the HIV virus in Africa.

WHERE THEY WORK

Africa

BUSINESS MODEL

Recruit, employ and train HIV+ mothers to bolster a weakened healthcare team, providing maternity care in under-resourced health systems.  MMs explain what the results of HIV and CD4 tests mean, reinforce instructions on taking antiretroviral drugs for mothers and their babies, and offer advice on infant feeding.

ANNUAL BUDGET

US$16.8 million FY12 (Dec12).

DELIVERED TO DATE

Operating on 599 sites in 7 countries, employing 1,523 Mentor Mothers ("MM") and Site Coordinators ("SC").  242,000 HIV+ pregnant mothers were enrolled in 2011.

IMPACT

US$305 cost per life saved.

BIG PLANS

To eliminate new HIV infections among children by 2015 and keep their mothers alive.

OUR INVESTMENT SO FAR

US$200,000 unrestricted grants.