Save a new life by supporting pregnant woman

Mothers, sisters, neighbors, friends, employers, even absolute strangers are those who apply to our Center seeking help for other person, usually seeking help for a pregnant women in despair or for those women who lost their babies, miscarried or those that are having very difficult beginning of motherhood. We witness “miracles” that happen because of people’s sensitivity and caring for others. Trying to find help to a person when she is in great despair can change that person’s life.

We periodically get testimonies. This time we will share testimony that we got not from the woman that got help, but from the perspective of her close person.

“When I found out that my best friend had an unplanned pregnancy, I couldn't help but cry. Knowing that person's life path, family, financial and social situation, I equated the birth of a future child to a catastrophe. Knowing the challenges she had to overcome, I felt helpless. Any help I could offer, even if it were accepted – from the opportunity to borrow money to a few new clothes for the baby – seemed pitiful, because the issues she had to deal with during pregnancy were not only financial, but also legal, psychological, and even medical. I was very worried. I remember silently calculating how much diapers cost for a year and was afraid that she wouldn't have this amount. And then, one day – she found you. A little later, when I heard about the free consultations with a psychologist and a lawyer, about the friendly and non-judgmental support and care that she received at your center, I almost clapped my hands and thanked you in my heart that someone had appeared who, in this situation, represented not only her best friend, but also her family... As the birth approached, I was worried about how the medical staff would view a lonely young woman who came without a husband and without a family, but here, to my surprise, you were with her - your doula accompanied her and helped her a lot. Now, after a successfully completed nine-month journey, which I observed closely, I can say a huge thank you to you; for giving women who have nothing everything they need most, and accompanying them every step of the way - not only with words, but also with deeds.”

Our Center provides complex and continuous help. If needed, we can help a woman and her child up to 3 years, until a woman is able to return to her job and provide for her child herself.

What help we provided to different women during 4 month period:

• We provided 450 different consultations;
• 23 babies were born!
• There were 170 psychological counselling sessions;
• 257 of the consultations provided were psychosocial (emotional and material/financial support);
• 7 doula and 5 breastfeeding consultations were provided;
• 3 women had gynecologist examinations;
• There were 8 other consultations (psychiatrists, lawyers, geneticist, “buddies”);
• Material help provided: the Centre delivered 10 baby layettes, 12 baby strollers, 5 baby beds, 2200 pieces of diapers, more than 300 sets of clothes for babies and mothers, and lots of hygiene items (120 pcs);
• During those 4 months several women received financial help. 4364 euros in total of financial assistance was provided to cover their living, medical expenses, to buy food.
• We also started 1 self-help group for women that have postpartum depression. Those women meet once a week and under the guidance of psychologist or a consultant talk about issues that are painful to them;

“I especially appreciate the opportunity to hear from other mothers — their experiences sometimes mirrored my own, sometimes opened up new perspectives. It really helped me feel that I was not alone. That what I was feeling was not something strange or inappropriate — it was just motherhood, the way it is. A truly warm, respectful atmosphere was created, where it was safe to speak, be silent, cry, or laugh.”

Events:

Every year we organize volunteer and employee training. This year we also had this event. Those training days are very important – we both have a great opportunity for comprehensive discussions about dilemmic cases and learn new techniques that are useful for consulting women.

Thank you for your very important help.

With warm regards,
Krizinio neštumo centras team

Links:

• Make a lifechanging impact with monthly donation!
• Follow us on Facebook

Sometimes it takes just a little - just a little care for other person, a little sensitivity of the heart, and people's lives change immeasurably.

A woman in a crisis situation needs to be helped to see her possibilities, to understand that there is at least one person or place where she can talk about all her feelings, all her anxiety, fears and pain. That there is a place where she could feel safe. We try to be such a place.

Here we share the story of a woman whose youth was wounded, but with help, she discovered a “different” life and is happy now.

„My father was a drug addict. I started using alcohol and drugs myself when I was 14. When I was 28, I felt like I was going crazy – the taste of death was right there. My mother kicked me out of the house; I had nowhere to go – I was left with nothing; I felt like a nobody. I slept anywhere. I had to do something. I heard about the DAA (Drug Addicts Anonymous) society, which aims to help others recover from drug addiction. I met a member of the society and fell in love with him. I quickly felt pregnant. I was scared. I felt empty. I was worried about whether the child will be healthy, because I had been using drugs for a long time, how I would support him, etc. I had a lot of debts, a criminal record, and little work experience. My mother was not supportive; She encouraged me to have an abortion, but I wanted a child! I felt that I loved the man I was expecting from. We got married. My friends advised me to contact the „Krizinio neštumo centras“, although I doubted whether they would be able to help me. Here I felt that I was not alone! I was warmly and kindly welcomed by a social worker and psychologist. I calmed down. My daughter is the truest miracle, the fruit of love, a gift from God. With the child, I not only became a mother but also a reborn person. Her presence leads both my husband and me forward and encourages us to improve and strive. Today it seems that we live like in a fairy tale: we share food and clothes with others, we have a home, a wonderful daughter, each other, and a circle of supportive people. I believe that strong people are not those who never make mistakes, but those who get up after stumbling, who try, search, believe, and learn to live.„

We have many similar stories. Of course, they are slightly different, but they have a unifying element - not being afraid to ask for help, not staying alone. In April, we published a book of stories of women who got help at our Center. It is in Lithuanian language, but you can download it and translate it for yourself (Book "Women's confessions")

During the past 4 months we had 113 new people who applied for the help at our Centre - 108 women and 5 men. A total of 458 different consultations were provided to them. These were usually women who sought help in their despair while pregnant, after birth or baby loss.

23 times we got messages about babies born to women who got help at our Centre. It‘s always such a joy!

Help provided:

• 458 different consultations were provided to women;
• 247 of the consultations provided were psychosocial (emotional and material/financial support);
• There were 176 psychological counselling sessions;
• 12 doula, 5 breastfeeding, and 2 midwife consultations were provided;
• 4 women had gynecologist examinations;
• There were 12 other consultations (psychiatrists, lawyers, geneticist, “buddies”);
• During this period we organized 5 self-help groups for women: 1 group after birth, 1 group for women experiencing crisis pregnancy, 2 groups for women that have postpartum depression, and 1 group for those suffering after abortion; Those women meet once a week and under the guidance of psychologist or a consultant talk about issues that are painful to them;
•  Material help provided: the Centre delivered 15 baby layettes, 11 baby strollers, 5 baby beds, 2183 pieces of diapers, more than 71 sets of clothes for babies and mothers, and lots of hygiene items (286 pcs);
• Sometimes we arrange a repair of apartment to be made, to make it suitable for bringing home a baby. You can see one example in photo below.
• Every month 9 women received regular financial help. During those 4 months, over 1800 euros in total of financial assistance was provided (to cover their living and medical expenses and to buy food).

“Participating in Self-help groups was like a stop for me. It was like a much-needed pause — a place where I didn't have to act or "get ready" before coming. Ten weeks, which were full of sincerity, sensitivity, and a very human presence together. I especially appreciate the opportunity to hear from other mothers — their experiences sometimes reflected my own experiences, sometimes opened up new perspectives. It really helped me feel that I was not alone. That what I was feeling was not something strange or inappropriate — it was just motherhood, the way it is. I am incredibly grateful to Ruta, our group leader, for her professionalism, empathy, and ability to lead delicately. A truly warm, respectful atmosphere was created, where it was safe to speak, be silent, cry, or laugh. I am very glad that this time came when it was needed most.” (testimonial of a woman from a group) 

Thank you for you kind heart and help!

With warm regards,
Krizinio neštumo centras team

Links:

• Make a lifechanging impact with monthly donation!
• Follow us on Facebook