Thank you for your donation of two birthing kits.
Maasai women give birth in their homes in unsanitary conditions. These kits are given free to pregnant women and to local midwives, who undergo training in safe birthing practices.
Although Maasai women are encouraged to give birth at a clinic, most births continue to take place in their traditional huts made of dung, mud, and sticks. Their reasons: it takes hours or days to walk to the nearest clinic, my husband won’t spend the money for a motorcycle taxi, “this is the way we have always done it”. The unhygienic huts are, of course, less than ideal since orphaned or sick calves and lambs are cared for in the huts.
The kits include a plastic drape over which the birth takes place, razor and clamps for cutting the umbilical cord, antibiotics for cord stem and eyes, wash basin & soap, blankets, washcloths, and gloves & gowns for the midwives.
The goal is to provide the delivering mom and the midwives with basic tools, medicine, and supplies to keep the moms, newborns, and midwives safe. Below are the midwives (holding the birthing kits) that gathered for their training:
Safe Birthing Kits increase the probability of moms and babies surviving birth, and they protect the midwives from contracting HIV.
Below are photos of the two midwives who received the kits you funded:
Thank you for helping provide safe births to Maasai women and their babies!
