Mother Centers in 15 countries

 

 

Following publication of the book: “Mothers in the Center – Mother Centers!”, written by women of the first three Mother Centers, the idea spread all over the world. Mother Centers now exist in Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Italy, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Bosnia, Bulgaria as well as USA, Canada, Kenya, Rwanda and the Philippines. Women who hear about Mother Centers frequently have two reactions: “This is it!” and “We can do this too!” 

Left the Mother Center in Nairobi, Kenya 

 
  • In Western Europe Mother Centers help bring families out of isolation and motherhood out of marginalisation.
  • In post-socialist societies they support the development of civil society from the bottom up. 
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    • In post conflict areas like Bosnia (left) Mother Centers have created opportunities to reweave the war torn social fabric.
    • For the First Nation population in Canada they have created collective income generating projects.


    Mother Center in the Czech Republic 
     
    • For US Afro American communities Mother Centers help welfare recipients reorientate their lives towards self sufficiency.
    • In the slums of Nairobi, they offer a safe place, meals, and medical services for mothers and (street) children.
    • In the Philippines they provide a "home away from home" for rural migrant workers in industrial zones.
    To be successful in different parts of the world, the Mother Center concept needs adjustment to local conditions. Mother Centers need political and technical support. Local authorities often lack experience in how to support self-help and grassroots initiatives. For these reasons  mine was founded in 2000 as an international network. It is registered in Munich, Germany.