Our Story

One Heart Worldwide began with the simple yet powerful belief that every mother and newborn, no matter where they live, deserves access to safe, dignified, and culturally respectful care. Founded by Arlene Samen, a nurse practitioner dedicated to improving maternal and newborn health in underserved areas, One Heart Worldwide began in 1999 as a small pilot program in the Tibetan Autonomous Region. Over the next decade, Arlene’s vision laid the foundation for a lasting framework for safer births that would eventually become our Network of Care model in Nepal. 

In 2010, we initiated our program in Nepal. Since then, we have worked in close collaboration with the Government of Nepal to strengthen maternal and newborn healthcare systems nationwide. For over 15 years, our programs have adapted to meet changing needs, respond to emergencies, and integrate impactful innovations. But our ultimate goal has never wavered: to ensure that mothers and their newborns survive and thrive. 

From the remote northern mountain communities to the plains of the south, we remain committed to building sustainable, community-based solutions that honor local knowledge and expand access to lifesaving care.