The Heartline Maternity Center was caught in a crossfire in late April of this year. Literally. The ongoing gang war had come to our neighborhood. We were faced with the decision to relocate or temporarily close until it was safe to operate again. With 125 clients at various stages of their prenatal or postpartum journey, closing was not an option we wanted to consider. Add to that, the Heartline Maternity Center had not closed its doors since that fateful day on January 12, 2010 when it was converted into a field hospital to care for those impacted by the earthquake that claimed upwards of 250,000 lives. And in reality, we didn’t close that day either, we just adjusted our sails to meet the needs of our community in a terrible season. 

So, with the help of many Heartline employees and at great risk, we packed up the Heartline Maternity Center and moved across town to a safer location. Of course, this move and our ability to respond quickly would not have been possible without your faithful support! You can read about our move on the Heartline blog by clicking the buttons below beginning with, “Access to Maternal Healthcare Suffers.” We shared the story in three posts during the month of May.

Coming Home

In late June, we decided it was time to return home. So, after two months away,  the team began the arduous task of packing up all of our equipment and returning to the Heartline Maternity Center. We were hosting clinics again within a few days of our return, and it felt like home. We are so very thankful to Heartline friend Jayme for supporting us in our time of need with a beautiful space to host the temporary maternity center.

Using every truck we could find, we loaded the Heartline Maternity Center supplies back up for the return home. 

Bredy, Heartline’s Head of Security, even thought to bring the photos from the wall when we moved hoping it would help everyone to feel more at home. Elose, shares one as we pack it up for the return trip. 

Meet the Staff at the Heartline Maternity Center 

Fredelyne

Fredelyne joined Heartline Maternity Center in 2018, bringing with her a steady joy that reminds us there’s always good in the world. She finished nursing school in 2013 and worked in maternal healthcare in the north of Haiti for several years before joining the Heartline MC. Fredelyne says, “I love working at the Heartline MC because we have a solid team. We get excellent results and zero maternal deaths because our team works well together, and everyone’s opinion matters. I love the encouragement each team member receives and gives to each other and to the women we care for.” Fredelyne hopes Haitian women will have access to family planning, giving them more power to choose when they have children. She believes this will lead to fewer maternal deaths and healthier babies. In July of 2022, Frede was promoted to Clinic Administrator at the Heartline Maternity Center. She lives with her husband and baby, Doodley, born at Heartline MC in October 2019.

Guerline

Guerline has been a part of Heartline Maternity Center’s staff since 2017 and brings a calm, nurturing presence to our team. She finished nursing school in 2013 and midwifery school in 2016. Guerline says of midwifery, “working with mothers brings me great joy. It’s a job that I can do with my whole heart.” She hopes by providing maternal healthcare, she can play a role in giving all Haitian women access to respectful care without discrimination. Guerline lives with her two and half-year-old daughter, Carla, and husband Sonson.

Loudina

Loudina started working at Heartline in November 2021. She finished nursing school in 2013. She graduated from Midwives for Haiti in 2021. She shares, “My vision is to give my participation to the fight to decrease maternal and infants death in Haiti.” She lives with her son, Hantz-Lee. 

Fleurgie

Fleurgie started working at Heartline in November 2021. She finished nursing school in August 2017. She graduated from Midwives for Haiti in August 2021. Fleurgie shares, “I want to become a well-known midwife with a lot of knowledge so I can help save mothers and babies”. She lives with her brother and a friend.

Sancara

Sancara joined Heartline Maternity Center in 2019, bringing with her a gentle and loving presence. Sancara works as a midwifery assistant and often supports mothers through postpartum breastfeeding struggles, walking with a laboring mom, or working alongside a midwife during prenatals. She is passionate and organized, and we are grateful for how she cares for all who enter the maternity center. Sancara is Mica’s sister. She lives with her mother, sisters, and nephews.

Islande

Islande began working at Heartline Maternity Center in 2016. Her gentle spirit and organization keep us grounded in kindness and sanity. She completed nursing school in 2014. After two years of working at the Heartline MC, she began midwifery school and graduated in 2019. Islande says, “working in midwifery gives me the opportunity to fight maternal mortality.” Her prayer is that someday Haiti will have more maternity centers like Heartline, so less Haitian women will die while giving birth. Islande lives with her sister, Stephanie, and aunt, uncle, and cousins.

Stephanie

Stephanie has been a part of Heartline Maternity Center’s staff since 2017. Her enthusiasm and energy keep us engaged and excited about the work of the Heartline MC. Stephanie completed nursing school in 2016 and midwifery school in 2019. Stephanie notes, “The Heartline MC is very different from most hospitals in Haiti. We provide women with loving care.” She hopes to see Haiti provide more access to maternal healthcare through caring medical personnel, giving mothers and babies a greater chance at living through childbirth. Stephanie lives with her dog and cats, lovingly referred to as her children.

Nadia

Nadia has been working at Heartline MC since 2018. Her practical approach to midwifery care and her contagious laughter remind us that life doesn’t always have to be complicated. Nadia completed nursing school in 2013 and midwifery school in 2016. Nadia says, “I’ve always loved the work I get to do as a nurse, but since I started working at Heartline, I’ve come to love the work of midwifery even more. Supporting women in labor, and giving them the opportunity to understand what’s happening with their bodies, brings me joy and satisfaction.” Nadia wants to see Haitian women have more access to excellent care providers in hopes that fewer mothers and babies will die. She also hopes more Haitian women will have the power to choose when they have babies, allowing them to care for and provide for the children in their homes. Nadia lives with her husband and baby, Abby, born at the Heartline MC in August 2019.

Ruth Charma

Ruth Charma started working at Heartline in November 2021. She graduated from nursing school in 2017. Her goal is to contribute to what the Heartline Maternity is doing and help mothers believe in their strength to give birth. She lives with her family.

Youseline

Youseline joined Heartline Maternity Center in 2019. She brings solid midwifery skills and gentle care to our team. Youseline graduated from nursing school in 2015 and midwifery school in 2019. She says, “I chose midwifery because I wanted to contribute to the work of reducing maternal and newborn death in Haiti.” She hopes the future of all Haitian women includes access to excellent healthcare without discrimination in every institution. Youseline lives with her brother and sister.

Mica

Mica joined the Heartline Maternity Center as an expecting mother in 2014. After a difficult pregnancy and complicated postpartum, she graduated from the postpartum program. Mica joined the Heartline MC staff in 2015, co-writing our famous breastfeeding education song, “Kite Bebe Souse,” now used throughout Haiti. Mica leads with grace, steadily serving the women she cares for and her coworkers. Mica completed midwifery school in 2017. She hopes to see more maternity centers throughout Haiti, reducing the number of maternal and infant deaths. Mica lives with her mother, sisters, and son, Caëlle.

Elose

Elose joined us at the Heartline Maternity Center in 2020. Born in Haiti, she graduated from Kentucky Christian University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She also worked in labor and delivery for a year in Morehead, Kentucky. Elose’s goal is to get her Masters in Midwifery and work full-time as a midwife in Haiti. She longs to see more maternity centers like Heartline in every department (province/state) in Haiti. Elose lives with her husband and daughter. 

Update: Elose and her family are headed to the United States this month (07.22) to continue her education. We are thankful for her dedication to maternal healthcare. We wish her the best of luck in her studies. 

No team list would be complete if it didn’t include the support staff at the Maternity Center. We couldn’t operate with them. We are thankful for the faithful contributions of Gran, Rosena, Maggie, Wislene, Madianne, Pierre, and Bredy. Thanks to the Heartline office staff who chipped in as well!