For this reason…
Everyday tragedy…
The world over, there’s a massive disparity in maternal mortality with higher rates of death in impoverished communities and women of color. Madagascar, of course, is no exception and reports an average of 10 women a day dying in childbirth and just one qualified midwife per 7,000 people.
Earlier this month, a prominent leader and friend in the Malagasy government in our city, died just 3 weeks after giving birth as a result of complications from the birth. This is an all too familiar and tragic story and even more devastating as so often maternal mortality is preventable.
Despite her high education and her relative wealth in an extremely impoverished country, this mother of three was a victim of the fractured medical system of Madagascar, even in one of the best private hospitals in our city. A woman, a wife, a mother, an advocate for Eden Projects and her country…. gone too soon.
For this reason…
It’s because of tragedies like this that the Sarobidy Maternity Center has been passionately and tirelessly working towards providing compassionate, competent and safe maternity care for women in our city for the last 8.5 years. We believe that women (and their babies) are precious– regardless of education, literacy levels, social status, income, and religious beliefs, and as such, should be treated with the utmost care and respect. We believe in removing every barrier to access of care, including financial, so that all women can receive specialized services. We believe that no woman should die while bringing life into the world! We believe that our Lord sees, knows and loves each woman that walks through our doors. It is for all these reasons, that 97 women are currently enrolled in the Sarobidy Maternity Center.
Over the course of our 12-14 month program, women receive...
….. weekly health education as it relates to their pregnancy, nutrition, growing baby, upcoming delivery, breastfeeding and family planning.
….. early detection through laboratory screening that includes HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhea and Chlamydia as well as regular hemoglobin and urine screening.
…. on average 11-13 prenatal visits throughout the duration of their pregnancy… (for comparison sake, 80% of women in our city receive ONE prenatal appointment and only 50% of women receive FOUR appointments over the course of their pregnancies).
….. weekly protein rich-snacks, daily prenatal/postpartum vitamin supplementation and when necessary, additional daily protein in the form of eggs and/or a specially formulated calorically dense supplement for severely malnourished women.
….. at least two ultrasounds during the course of their pregnancies.
….. childbirth education classes for themselves and their person of choice during their upcoming birth.
….. a clean, calm, lovely place to labor and deliver their baby with three compassionate and excellent midwives attending their birth.
….. an ambulance on site in the event of an emergency transport to a local hospital.
….. a quiet and safe place to bond with their babies and continue to be monitored as they recover from childbirth for the first 12-24+ hours.
….. an ambulance ride home after birth rather than having to walk or take public transportation.
….. at least 3-4 postpartum home visits in the first two weeks after birth to provide care and monitoring of mom, baby, breastfeeding and bonding.
….. on average 7-8 postpartum visits throughout the first 6-8 weeks after birth.
….. continued postpartum laboratory testing.
….. on average 13-15 newborn visits during the first 6 months of life to assess health, weight gain and development of their baby.
….. a combination of over-the-counter and prescription medications as well as essential oils as necessary.
….. printed pictures of themselves while pregnant and after birth with their baby.
….. family planning services and education.
….. weekly group Bible Studies and individual prayer after each appointment.
….. a graduation service with diploma, foot-washing and a pedicure when their babies are six months old.
After 12-14 months, the women and babies of the Sarobidy Maternity Center have indeed experienced something life-giving and positive. They have experienced compassion, community, kindness, and individualized care from a loving, dedicated, well-educated and trained midwifery team. And they have received these things free-of-charge.
A donation to the Sarobidy Maternity Center allows for all of these things listed above as well as the incredible interactions between staff, patients, and friends that simply can’t fit into a monthly newsletter. Outside of these worthy things, your financial partnership provides jobs, retirement and medical care to the amazing Malagasy team of 8 midwives, 2 laboratory and administrative staff, 3 ambulance drivers and 6 guards that are the hands and feet of Jesus within the walls of the Sarobidy Maternity Center.
The leadership team of SMC is dreaming and praying. We’re dreaming BIG… of expansion of services, of providing care for more women, of a new building in which we can provide operative deliveries in the event of emergencies. Would you dream with us? Would you pray with us? Would you partner with us?
This December, as you consider year-end giving, would you please consider the Sarobidy Maternity Center? Would you consider investing into midwives, into women and babies, into kind and compassionate care, into LIFE and life abundant through Jesus Christ?
If you’re interested in partnering in this way, donations can be sent one of three ways to WorldVenture, our mission organization, where all donations are tax deductible.
1. CLICK HERE and follow the link to set up your secure account with WorldVenture where you can proceed to make an on-going commitment or one-time gift.
2. CALL (800) 487-4224 and select option #6 to speak with someone 8am-4pm MST (M-F).
3. MAIL a check to:
WorldVenture
20 Inverness Pl E
Englewood, CO 80112-5622
(Please specify your donation as designated for Special Project #6401-909, Sarobidy Maternity Center).
Likewise, we invite you to “LIKE/FOLLOW” the Sarobidy Maternity Center on Facebook and/or Instagram to view updates and to share these with your friends and family.
Website Sales of Sarobidy Creations…
We recently finished 6 very successful days of Sarobidy Creations sales. For those of you not familiar with Sarobidy Creations, our women’s artisan project, click here to read more.
Many have asked when these new items will be updated and for sale on our website– the time is NOW! Head on over to Sarobidy Creations, where you can purchase beautiful handcrafted jewelry, home decor and Christmas ornaments for yourself or your loved ones! ALL proceeds benefit the Sarobidy Maternity Center!
As Christmas quickly approaches and we wait joyfully and expectantly to celebrate the birth of Christ, may each of us be filled with wonder and awe at the greatest gift given to mankind, who came into the world as a precious and beloved baby.
Alissa, Jamie, Isabella, Eliana and Gavin
*** To view this newsletter in it’s original format, click here. ***
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