By Vicki Penwell | Executive Director
Dear Supporters and Friends of Mercy In Action,
So many Christmas blessings are being passed on to new mothers, babies, families, and the hard working midwives in the Philippines thanks to your generous donations!
Blessings #1: Health: Because of the excellent maternity healthcare being delivered free of charge in Mercy In Action sponsored birth centers, babies are being born healthier, and birthing mothers are having fewer childbirth complications. These excellent outcomes are due to the evidence-based, safe and respectful midwifery model of care that is available to all
Blessing #2: Availability: Our birth centers are open 24/7. When the patients can't get to us due to lockdowns and a nationwide shortage of public transportation options, we get to them with home visits. And when labor starts we can go anywhere to get them in our Mercy In Action vehicles. If a problem arises, our ambulance gets them to the hospital, and when they are ready to go home, we give them a ride home.
Blessing #3: Nourishment: Our Mercy In Action birth centers give food bags to new parents when they discharge with their new baby, as well as making a food pantry available during each clinic visit. This is important right now because the pandemic still rages in the Philippines and many people cannot find work to support their families during these hard times. Food makes all the difference in keeping a family healthy and well.
Blessing #4: Staff Support: Our birth centers recruit and retain a dedicated staff of midwives and support people because we ensure they will be safe, secure, respected, and enabled to provide good quality, personalized care to women and newborns in a positive work environment. In December we give a 13th month blessing to all staff, which is a bonus equal to a month's wages.
Blessing #5: Love and Prayers: The goal at all Mercy In Action birth centers is for the pregnant mother to feel loved, supported, and cared for - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We do this by prioritizing whole-person care, and realizing that there are many factors and elements in the pursuit of true health.
Thank you for your donations that have enabled us to bless the families in our community in new and creative ways during the pandemic, as well as support our midwife staff with excellence as they are called upon to take on new and unexpected challenges.
Please continue to support this project!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours,
Vicki for the Mercy In Action team in the Philippines
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