Midwives traveling to Sierra Leone

[Guest guest]

Hello --

 

I have become very emotionally attached to a wonderful group of midwives who

are on an extraordinary mission to their small, but ever so important part in

saving the lives of women and babies. The MOMS global midwifery group in Oregon

returning to Sierra Leone this summer for their second visit and training of lay

midwives. I want to share their work with you and ask you for support.

 

I am very saddened about the birthing women and babies around the world. Four

million babies are born in the US every year and about 32,000 will die. AROUND

THE WORLD, FOUR MILLION babies will die at birth, not because of the lack of

medical care, but because of malnutrition, infections, and lack of trained

caregivers. According to the Save the Children Foundation their Mother's Day

Report, 2006, 3/4 of the deaths are from malnutrition, infections, and unclean

water. Bill Gates Foundation has stated that 700,000 deaths could be prevented

without building even one hospital by providing training of midwives and food

and supplies. Most of the women die of hemorraghing as a result of malnutrition

and from infection, as do the babies. Re-teaching midwifery skills to women is

the only way to save lives.

 

Sierra Leone has the second worst maternal and infant mortality rates in the

world. The nearest hospital to the clinic is a four-hour walk to the river, and

then crossing in a rickety boat, and then a 19 mile ride by auto on a very

rough, dirt road -- if there is a car available. Hospitals and doctors are not

options for the birthing women and babies -- there only 65 doctors in the

entire country. Hospitals built by non-profits are not sustainable. The GLOBAL

MIDWIVES are doing just that -- without all the big bucks. I want to call upon

you to help.

 

I am looking for womens' groups, doula groups, church groups, any groups or

individuals who would like to adopt this group and to put together care packages

for the midwives to take with them. Please contact them directly or me if you

are interested and I will assist you in what and how. Attached is a list of

needed supplies. Those in the third column are the medications and harder to

come by. If you have any connection to medical facilities or drug companies,

your assistance in securing the medications would be so appreciated.

 

Visit the MOMS site to learn about the project and see pictures of their

December visit. http://www.globalmidwives.org/news_job_openings.php

 

Thanks so much and bless you.

 

Janel

Columbia, MO

573-424-0997

 

Please rent the movie, The Girl in the Cafe, a wonderful, romantic story full

of real life information about the plight of women and babies around the world.