By Tim Holmes | Fundraising Coordinator
With COVID-19 still affecting many parts of the world, we musn't forget the everyday needs of the poorest communities who rely on international support. Our maternal and infant health projects are an example of where shifting priorities, and funding challenges, in 2020 could have meant lives lost. We're thankful that through our donors' faithful support, we have maintained these core services throughout 2020. However, it must now be our focus this Christmas and in 2021 to ensure funding is secure and that these services can continue and thrive.
A recent story from Haiti is an example of the incredible impact of this work, but also the need to re-commit to supporting the development of this project.
On 9th November, two baby boys were born at the hospital at 30 weeks, and were immediately transferred to the NICU as they fought for their lives. Through your amazing support, we’ve continually invested in new equipment for the NICU, saving countless lives. However, the reality remains that, in a unit often operating well over capacity, there is still not enough equipment to go around.
When these two babies arrived, there was only 1 incubator and 1 CPAP machine available, with both babies needing this intensive treatment. Amazingly, the staff found a way to replicate some of the critical functions using other materials, including a sterilised water bottle acting as a filter. The babies were then rotated between the equipment - thankfully sufficient to see them both improve and stabilise.
Now at 34 weeks, both boys are still receiving treatment, such as phototherapy, but are doing well. While we praise the staff for their life-saving actions, they shouldn’t be in a position where lack of equipment is putting lives at risk.
Thank you for your continued support making these miracle stories possible. Please stay with us as we enter what could be one of the most challenging periods in our history trying to deliver life-saving projects in a world affected so much by COVID-19.
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