By Vicki Penwell | Executive Director
Nine moths after Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda slammed into the Philippines, destroying most of the health centers, Mercy In Action was so very happy to be able to see one Clinic and Birth Center open again. In September, I attended the grand opening of the Cumpio Clinic in the very heart of the disaster zone in the community of Tanauan, Leyte Island.
Through the gifts of Global Giving, we were able to rebuild and stock this Clinic and Birth Center on the site where it was destroyed in last year's typhoon.
Tanauan was one of the hardest hit areas by the storm. In an area where it was needed most, Nerissa Cumpio and her family group practice of Registered Midwives were given a Second Chance to serve their hurting community.
Last November, a local woman named Sheila* experienced an unimaginable nightmare... her small baby was washed out of her arms and drowned during the peak of the storm surge. Months later, Sheila had a dream, and went to Nerissa to say "I had a dream, and saw myself giving birth in your new rebuilt Birth Center" (this was when Nerissa's former clinic was smashed into a big rubble pile.) The dream turned out to be prophetic, because Sheila is pregnant again, and planning to give birth in the newly rebuild Birth Center. She has a Second Chance.
At the grand opening ceremony, I was asked to give a speech and a dedication prayer. I said these words: "Every time a neighbor walks by this beautiful building, every time a pregnant mother has a safe place to come for prenatal check ups, every time a baby is born in this bright, clean, newly rebuilt Birth Center, we will remember the mercy of God."
Thank you for the role you played in this Second Chance for this group of midwives and the pregnant mothers in the disaster zone. Since the grand opening, many babies have already been born in this new Birth Center. The Second Chances are happening, one by one, rebuilding the community with hope and love.
*Names of patients are always changed to protect their privacy and dignity.
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By Ian Penwell | Field Director
By Vicki Penwell | Executive Director
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