Writing in a guest post in Oxfam’s “Politics of Poverty” blog, Dorothy Ngoma, principal secretary and national coordinator of Malawi’s Presidential Initiative for Maternal Health and Safe Motherhood, discusses several of the projects under the initiative, stating, “As a result of this initiative, in two years we have managed to reduce maternal mortality rates significantly, from 675 per 100,000 live births to 460.” She continues, “In cases like these, unless you are part of the community and have their trust, it is very difficult to intervene. International organizations have brilliant ideas. They have money and technical know-how, but these issues are very intimate and success lies at the local level. That is why international organizations must have strong partnerships with us if programs like these are to take root and be effective. … The support of the American public as Malawi works to improve health care and access across our country is also essential. Partner with us. Support locally led efforts. We are on our way” (4/2).