Médecins du Monde targeted women's health care and access in Nepal because of the disproportionately high rate of mother/infant mortality in childbirth.

To encourage participation in the health care classes, opportunities for micro-lending to women were combined with the sessions on health care.

The local women manage the lending program with oversite by MDM workers. The money is used for items such as sewing machines, cooking supplies, and livestock: items which provide a means for a sustainable income stream.

The monthly meetings are opened with a health care segment on reproduction, HIV/AIDS prevention, education about the safety and availability of the closest health clinics for delivery, and techniques for sterile and safer home deliveries when clinic access is not feasible.

All expenctant women are supplied with a safe birth kit consisting of a clean, plastic sheet, sterile thread and a sterile needle.

Small things can execute big change!