Chamas for Change: Scaling A Validated Maternal and Child Peer Support and Microfinance Care Model

Chamas for Change addresses the inequities driving poor Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) outcomes by integrating health, social and financial literacy education with a saving/loans program to foster women's empowerment through community health volunteer (CHV)-led women's groups. Chamas introduces a core set of adult capabilities that break the intergenerational cycle of poverty and provide children with a healthy, positive environment. Our innovative solution demonstrates efficacy, acceptability and sustainability in our communities. In a pilot study of our program, compared to controls, our women were 73% more likely to attend 4 prenatal visits, 67% more likely to deliver in facility, 75% more likely to breastfeed exclusively to 6 months and 98% more likely to receive a CHV home visit