WORCESTER—Nana Esi Antwi Boasiako wants to help Black, minority and immigrant women and children gain the confidence and resilience they need to close the health equity gap and transform their lives.
Boasiako is the founder and CEO of Motherhood of Africa, a nonprofit in Worcester, designed to assist these communities by acquiring necessities, proper healthcare, employment, postnatal mental health counseling and food.
In Ghana, she witnessed mothers “dying in front of her eyes,” being poorly treated and detained in health facilities because they could not pay their bills.
“I thought, `I wish one day, I will be the person to help them,’” she noted.
First, she started a nonprofit in Africa, focusing on aiding vulnerable nursing mothers and babies.
When she moved to Worcester, she experienced firsthand the preconceived assumptions people in healthcare have towards African American women.
In the hospital delivering her third child, Boasiako said she went through “trauma and humiliation” because staff assumed she was poor and homeless and asked her “demeaning, worrisome questions,” she did not want to answer.
“That hurt me,” Boasiako, said.
The situation prompted her to start a U.S. branch of her organization, headquartered at 317 Main Street, Suite 660.
The nonprofit, Omama Health Incorporated (trading as Motherhood of Africa Foundation) will have its official ribbon cutting and launch on June 20, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the DCU Center junior ballroom.
Boasiako expects 180 people to attend. Guest speakers are Dr. Matilde Castiel, M.D., commissioner for Health and Human Services and Jermoh Kamara, president of Massachusetts Organization of African Descendants. Host is Dr. Sheri Ann Mclean, executive development coach and consultant.
She said one of the nonprofit’s focuses is to address preventable maternal health risks and death as well as preventable preterm birth and infant mortality. Worcester’s infant mortality rate continues to exceed the state average in minority communities.
She explained that many African American women, for example, do not go to doctor’s appointments or have ultrasounds because of fear of doctors or lack of insurance. The same holds true for immigrant women who are afraid of deportation.
“We want to take away that fear and help them enroll in health insurance,” Boasiako said. “We can encourage them to have more confidence…and these (steps) will reduce infant mortality.”
She noted that the organization is also collaborating with a (trauma-informed) doula who will give training and guidance for this population.
Motherhood of Africa is also committed to helping women after they give birth—by providing job training and placement as well as counseling services to support their mental health.
They also accept donations of food, diapers, children’s clothing, money and other necessities, wanting women before, during and after pregnancy to be cared for and empowered.
To raise funds for the foundation, 50% of all proceeds from their fashion line of crystal beads will be donated to the cause.
She noted this vulnerable population will be treated with “compassion and empathy,” to ensure “dignity and hope.”
“No woman is left behind,” added Boasiako. “Regardless of socio-economic status, there will be equity and social justice.”
For more information or for those seeking services, call 508-873-3103 or email info@motherhoodofafrica.org.
Susan Gonsalves is currently editor-in-chief of a mental health trade journal and a freelance writer/editor specializing in education, medical/health and business. She previously worked at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and has contributed to publications at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and College of the Holy Cross. At the Worcester Telegram, she covered the town of Leicester and wrote for Business Matters. She can be reached at smgedit@comcast.net
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