At Manos Abiertas we offer an atmosphere of safety and a welcoming health care environment where women are served by women. In honouring the whole person, we promote and support our clients to think autonomously and make safe decisions about their health and family- without fear.

At Manos Abiertas we seek to be a model of holistic health care for women, taking care of their sexual and reproductive health care needs throughout their lives. We are providing comprehensive services and paving a road to proper and specialised health care. Our goal is to provide tools to empower women to make informed decisions about their health, thus serving as examples for their children, families and communities. By investing in individual women we hope to build a healthier Guatemala.

Manos Abiertas - the only women's health and birth center for low income women in Guatemala, is culturally and linguistically sensitive - was founded with the support of PPFA (Planned Parenthood Foundation of America) in 2008. It was a response to the urgent need for comprehensive services for vulnerable Guatemalan women. In recognition of the importance of local partnership for long-term sustainability and impact, PPFA approached Hannah Freiwald, a professional midwife with then over 15 years experience working in Guatemala, and asked her to lead the project. Hannah accepted the task and worked with a Guatemalan team to develop the project at the clinic. They have come to serve approximately 5000 women and their families since its inception. With a focus to provide excellent health services for women living in poor areas, mostly rural in Guatemala, more than 70% of the clientele of Manos abiertas work in agriculture and are of indigenous Mayan descent.

The clinic opened in 2008 and is strategically located in Ciudad Vieja, Sacatepequez, an area lacking any kind of health service despite its proximity to Antigua, an international tourist destination. Antigua is served by most bus companies and therefore has good access even for women living in remote areas of the country. It also provides a convenient way for the team that travels to rural areas to provide visits to women who can not leave their community.