Formerly Minnesota International Health Volunteers

Improving the health of women, children and their communities around the world.

Our guiding values mirror our commitment to developing sustainable community-based programs and our dedication to improving the health of women and children around the world. These values are our compass—telling us where we came from, where we are now, and where we are headed. They are the whats, whys and hows of our operations.

While these values are critical to the way we carry out our mission, they continue to evolve as we learn new things about the strength of our organization and those we serve.

Strategic partnerships.  MIHV values strategic partnerships involving communities, local and international institutions, academic institutions, and similar organizations in all aspects of program design, implementation, and evaluation. MIHV focuses on issues that address “felt” community needs in order to ensure that attention is directed to those issues of greatest importance to communities.
 
Rigorous monitoring and evaluation. MIHV uses state-of-the-art monitoring and evaluation systems in our programs in order to assess the impact of our work and to share “lessons learned” with communities and peer organizations.
 
Equity.  MIHV values expanded access to health care, using proven, cost-effective, low-tech strategies that bring lifesaving services and education to those in greatest need.
 
Reduce health disparities. MIHV values working with diverse communities in order to reduce their health disparities. MIHV recognizes that good health is dependant upon a variety of social determinants including income, education, and environmental factors.
 
Sustainability.  MIHV strives for sustainability, so that program benefits continue after MIHV’s direct long term involvement.
 
Accountability.  MIHV believes that all of its programs must be accountable and transparent and implemented with honesty and integrity.
 
Cultural respect. MIHV recognizes that all people exist within cultures that influence their perspectives on health.
 
Mutual learning.  MIHV programs foster a team approach to public health and we realize that while we can offer technical assistance to communities, we, in turn, continue to learn and grow from our mutual experiences.
 
Holistic approach.  MIHV views health from a holistic perspective that encompasses the body, mind, and spirit.
 
Human rights and social justice.  MIHV believes that optimal health is a fundamental human right and an issue of social justice.