Sponsor a Safe Childbirth for 500 Low Income Women

Sponsor Births initiative has so far raised US $33,800 to support the deliveries of poor pregnant women in high quality hospital settings. Without the support, these women have no access to institutional delivery – not even in the government hospitals as there are hidden costs here. By the end of November 2012, Sponsor Births project has supported the deliveries of 167 women. Another 13 poor women have been identified for sponsorship and their delivery is due in the coming months.

Some of the women sponsored under Sponsor Births initiative are not only poor but are out the government safety nets due to a variety of reasons. For such women, access to the government facilities is also cumbersome as they are out of the public distribution system and do not have a government recognised identity proof. A case in point is Mrs. Nagalakshmi, wife of Mr. Prasad, (see photo) who delivered on 15th November 2012. Both the wife and husband work as labourers in constructing houses. They have built contact with some masons. After completing the construction of a house, both of them have to shift to another place where their known contractors have work for them. In this manner, they continuously shift places based on their work. Hence they do not fulfill the criterion of minimum continuous stay as required under several government schemes for support. Being out of the public safety net, accessing health facilities is costly for them. In the absence of any support, the only option for such women is to delivery at their homes. Sponsor Births is trying to identify such women so that they can be supported for institutional delivery.

The women thank the unknown donors for the support and making their delivery a safe experience.

Sponsor Births thanks all the donors and requests them to spread the word. Sponsor births – Deliver smiles.