So...I’ve been anticipating this moment, the chance to visit a clinic and actually see the mission of m2m come to life!! Last week, I had the opportunity to visit a clinic in the Mfuleni Township about 25 miles from Cape Town.

That morning, we had the chance to speak with the founding director Mitch about our impending visit. He reminded us that almost every minute of every day, a baby is born with HIV. The greatest tragedy is that with simple inexpensive and often free treatment, mother-to-child transmission of HIV is almost entirely preventable. However, there are still significant gaps that need to be addressed particularly in areas where there are overburdened healthcare systems, social stigmas, and lack of access to proper healthcare. m2m works within the healthcare system to provide mothers and their families with the education, emotional and psychosocial support they need...what the doctors and nurses in clinics are unable to provide. By employing HIV+ women, who have successfully completed the program, run the program it empowers these women and demonstrates to new clients that it is possible for them to live long and healthy lives. He also shared a short video with us which can also be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiDBMIWEAu8.

After navigating through a labyrinth of tin-roofed shacks, we make our way to the clinic. This is the sole clinic in a township of over 7,000 and employs approximately 1 doctor and 14 nurses...almost unbelievable.

We entered the building and passed a small waiting area overflowing with patients, mostly pregnant women and women with their newborns. There were roughly thirty to forty people in the waiting area and surprisingly, I didn't see one healthcare professional. Inside, we were greeted by the site coordinator Funeka and four mothers and their six-week old babies. The babies had been brought in to receive their first HIV test.

I anticipated the mood to be solemn, but in contrast the women were laughing and smiling, seemingly in high spirits. The camaraderie was tangible and there was a sentiment that they were survivors together with a great possibility that their newborns were HIV-. One woman was brave enough to stand up and tell her story which commanded our undivided attention. She learned she was HIV+ about five years ago when she was tested at a clinic early in her first pregnancy. She thought it would never happen to her. “I thought it was the end of the world. I lay in bed for days and cried myself to sleep. I was so afraid to tell anyone, especially my husband”. She expressed that the program not only taught her about treatment, but it also provided a support group, new friendships and hope. She also serves as an informal mentor in her community.

After she finished telling her story, she asked if I could hold her baby while she ate her sandwich. I was honored. The most difficult part of the day was actually leaving the clinic. I was moved by the power and strength of these women and hope they can inspire others willing to listen. For some pretty amazing pictures check out Picasa @ http://picasaweb.google.com/nicolenys/Mothers2MothersSiteVisit#