*Y.C.* “Leave Your Footprint”: Reducing Maternal Mortality through Responsible Travel
Location
Using the increasingly popular concept of volunteer-tourism, traveling health professionals are linked into communities in need of sepsis-reducing Birthing Kits. Travelers raise the funds for the kits and assemble these with family/friends beforehand to ensure their commitment. Extra incentive ... free internal flights to community once you’re there!
About You
Section 1: About You
First Name
Rebeccah
Last Name
Bartlett
Website
Organization
Country
Are you an individual between the ages of 18 and 35 who would like to apply for a nine month Young Champions Program mentored by an Ashoka Fellow?
Yes
Section 2: About Your Organization
Organization Name
Organization Website
Organization Phone
Organization Address
Organization Country
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Your idea
Name Your Project
*Y.C.* “Leave Your Footprint”: Reducing Maternal Mortality through Responsible Travel
Country your work focuses on
Describe Your Idea
Using the increasingly popular concept of volunteer-tourism, traveling health professionals are linked into communities in need of sepsis-reducing Birthing Kits. Travelers raise the funds for the kits and assemble these with family/friends beforehand to ensure their commitment. Extra incentive ... free internal flights to community once you’re there!
Website URL
Innovation
What makes your idea unique?
This idea practically addresses one of the leading causes of maternal mortality (sepsis) whilst simultaneously encouraging the growing trend of socially responsible travel. Expanding upon this idea would include local capacity building and education on effective use of the kits (hence the target of qualified healthcare professionals, to begin with) and potential for research into areas of maternal health access/need as well as possible future trips to evaluate the kits’ use in these communities by the travelers themselves. By adding in an incentive in which the traveler would would have their internal flights paid for or receive a discounted tour of the local country through an responsible tour operator who is concerned with supporting local businesses and economies such as Intrepid Travel we are also cross promoting the cause for improving maternal healthcare (MDG 5) through a number of different avenues (healthcare, international development and travel amongst others). By linking the traveler with these communities we are creating bonds and relationships that will hopefully continue on and encourage follow-up trips that continue to support the community's health and general welfare development.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had?
This idea is in its infantile stages and has yet to be supported financially or tested for its feasibility or sustainability
Problem
This idea is in its infantile stages and has yet to be supported financially or tested for its feasibility or sustainability
Actions
I plan to submit this proposal to potential interested partners such as Birthing Kit Foundation Australia, Intrepid Travel, AusAID or relevant edo/volunteer travel groups.
Results
N/A
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
Funding and sponsorship/partnerships with the above-mentioned groups. It will also require major logistical endeavours and international community connections
What would prevent your project from being a success?
Time management if I were to organise it by myself, without funding support, as I am currently working Full Time with the potential for further post graduate study
How many people will your project serve annually?
101‐1000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
$1000 - 4000
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy?
Yes
Sustainability
What stage is your project in?
Idea phase
Is your organization a
Please select
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
If yes, provide organization name.
How long has this organization been operating?
Please select
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Does your organization have a non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Does your organization have a non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
Does your organization have a non-monetary partnerships with government?
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
Approximately 150 words left (1200 characters).
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
Networking with potential sponsors/financial partners
Developing connections with selected community groups who can assist tour company facilitate in-country travel logistics for ‘volunteer tourist’
Community support within Australia to advertise initiative and raise funds to ensure sustainability
The Story
What was the defining moment that you led to this innovation?
Visiting Papua New Guinea and traveling 1 hour by air, 3 by car and then 7.5 by foot over rugged mountain terrain to visit a community who has no access other than via this same route to healthcare services beyond basic first aid. This means that women in labour are forced to deliver in unsafe conditions or travel for hours on end to get to a hospital, which could potentially be more deadly. Most of these community members did not understand the importance of sterile cord cutting and had unbelievably high MMRs and IMRs.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
I am a 27 year old newly Registered Nurse who choose to become a health worker when I was studying post-conflict rehabilitation. My passion lies in improving the lives of women in these situations, in increasing their level of empowerment over their own reproductive health and access to family planning. This means that I actively learn about all contextual issues that arise from this such as poverty, climate change, conflict and economics amongst others. I know I can make a mark on this world, however small, it will be significant and for the better.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Through another organization or company
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
Press Release- EnGender Health
 | Rebeccahb said: Hi Kelly These are fantastic questions, especially the last one on sustainability. Thank you for asking them and I apologise for not ... about this Competition Entry. - 696 days ago read more > |
| kellycastagnaro said: Hi Sarah, Can you give a bit more information about how this would work? How would you reach out to communities about this idea and ... about this Competition Entry. - 698 days ago read more > |
| Rebeccahb updated this Competition Entry. - 739 days ago |
| Rebeccahb submitted this idea. - 739 days ago |
