Physical Health Philippines Project #9504

Birth Center Saves MotherBaby Lives in Philippines

by Mercy In Action Vineyard, INC

Birth Center Saves MotherBaby Lives in Philippines

Project Report | Aug 21, 2012
Baby born in Flood

By Vicki Penwell | Founder and Executive Director; Midwife

Flood waters

Birth Amidst the Crisis:

This is a picture of the baby born in the recent flood. We are so humbled by how resilient the Filipino people are; the woman in labor was so brave in the midst of the storm, and our Filipina midwives, who only hours before were frightened for their own lives with (water up to their necks) were heroes as they came to the aid of the woman in labor; they just figured out a space, a high bed and a way to use what we had to help this little one safely into the world. Two days later, while we were still cleaning up, two more babies were born; this time both mothers experienced potentially life-threatening complications of labor. Life is hard but God is good, and our Mercy In Action birth center is making an important difference in the lives of the local women.

Everyone on our team has gotten right to work cleaning and caring for the needy at the same time after this devastating flood...

Birth Center flooded:

As for our clinic and birth center, water was 5 feet high inside, so as you can imagine, much of our medical equipment and furniture are a total loss, although we were able to put many things up high before the flood hit full force. We will be rebuilding and purchasing new medical supplies with donations. Thank you for your kind generousity to help women in crisis to give birth safely. Your donations are more important now than ever.

Baby born in Flood

Links:

For a video of the flood click here

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Aug 7, 2012
Defying the Statistics.

By Rose Penwell | Field Director

Landfill Family

My heart is torn in two directions as I visit my friend Jhun who lives on the local landfill. I am saddened by the conditions that she lives in and the poverty that surrounds her, and yet I am uplifted as I see her living out her choice to choose joy in the midst of adversity.

Jhun spends her days rummaging through trash, hoping to find bottles, cans or plastic to be recycled. She spends her whole day outside toiling in the relentless sun and heat. If she is able to make the equivalent of 1USD she considers it a successful day and she is able to buy some rice and vegetables and possibly a bit of fish for her children’s dinner.

I met Jhun when I was going door to door passing out children’s vitamin’s that were donated by a generous group of naturopathic physicians. She is now coming to our clinic for prenatal care and plans to deliver in our clinic as well. This is her fifth pregnancy and it will be the first time she has a trained birth attendant to assist her during her time of need.

I know the numbers well. I share them with others when teaching about the desperate need for more midwives around the world. But the numbers become real when you have a lady standing before you. When you have seen her home and played with her children.

Jhun came to the clinic severely anemic and I am so thankful for the donations that have allowed us to stock iron as well as prenatal vitamins. With a steady supply of iron and education about natural sources of iron, Jhun was able to dramatically raise her hemoglobin, which will greatly reduce her risk of excessive bleeding at the time of delivery. This is important because hemorrhage is the number one cause of maternal mortality in countries such as the Philippines. I am so thankful that we were able to help keep Jhun from becoming part of that statistic. Sometimes I am overwhelmed by the sheer need surrounding me.

Then I am comforted as I remember the words of Mother Teresa, “Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you. “

Please consider supporting the work that we are doing here in the Philippines. We are making a difference with maternal health and newborn survival one good birth at a time.

Thank you for your support of Mercy In Action on GlobalGiving.

***(Names have been changed to protect the women's privacy)

Prenatal day at the clinic.

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May 14, 2012
Tribal women helped by Mercy In Action Birth Center

By Vicki Penwell | Executive Director

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