Mercy Alumni Monthly Sustainers Fellowship

Dear Friend,

Twenty-five years ago, I was enrolled in Mercy in Action College of Midwifery, and my journey as a person and a midwife was shaped by my time in the college.  As an alumnus, I continued to be inspired by the good work Mercy in Action accomplishes around the world, and glad to partner with Mercy in Action, just like you are.  I was delighted to begin working for the college when I applied a few years ago.  My primary role in the college is serving as the Admissions Director and Student Services Coordinator, as well as teaching a few college courses and continuing education workshops. 

I was overjoyed when I was asked to come to the Philippines to doing some capacity-building with our Mercy In Action sponsored midwives and kasamas (companions who are walking with families as part of our First 1,000 Days program).  One way that I have seen how our donations are saving lives is through the collaboration that the midwives here are offering to local midwifery students and others in the community.  Earlier this year, Kristen and Vicki coached our local team of midwives and together they led training here in the Philippines on Helping Mothers Survive Bleeding After Birth. As part of that training, they taught how to use the Non-Pneumatic Anti-Shock Garment (NASG) to save lives, and the leadership of a local midwifery college attended that training.  As you know, NASG is a lifesaving reusable garment that is applied to the lower extremities when someone has had a significant hemorrhage and is showing signs of shock.  Hemorrhage remains the leading cause of maternal death worldwide and the NASG reduces maternal mortality by 55%!

Your donations make it possible for us to purchase and donate several NASGs to participants who did the training.  Last week, I accompanied Marlene, our head midwife and an alumnus of the local midwifery college, and we were able to donate an NASG suit there, much to the delight of faculty and students alike.  It was energizing to see young midwifery students in their simulation rooms, excited to practice scenarios and imagine the lives that can be saved as they learn how to use the NASG.  You may recall learning about the NASG during your time at Mercy in Action College of Midwifery, or while attending a workshop, so you can understand how important this donation is for future midwives here! 

Mercy in Action’s life-saving impact describes both the direct impact for families who give birth in our sponsored clinics, and also reaches much wider as we provide training and resources for the other maternal health providers in our communities.  Your giving makes it possible for us to be generous with this Filipino midwifery college and also improve the outcomes for many more families!

Blessings,

Jenny Fox

Links:

• WHO article about the NASG
• NASG suit explained
• Mercy in Action