Newborn Kits
Happy Day!
The birth of a baby is one of the happiest of days - a day to celebrate. But for too many women around the world, pregnancy and the anticipation of childbirth is frightening. The World Heath Organization’s most recent report estimates that in 2017, some 295,000 women died from complications during and following pregnancy and childbirth. Most of those deaths could have been prevented - simple access to a skilled nurse or midwife during pregnancy can mean the difference between life and death for a mom and her baby.
GHM Newborn Kits are gifts that help a new mom celebrate her baby, and clothe and care for her child. Importantly, they are also used by overseas partners to encourage young women to seek prenatal care during pregnancy, greatly improving their chances for a healthy, happy outcome. Once that connection is made, they can also encourage postnatal care, including vaccinations and well-baby checks that can help a newborn thrive.
Many people also knit, crochet or sew baby hats and baby blankets for GHM to send overseas. These are sent both in Newborn Kits and also separately to mission hospitals and clinics who request them for their pediatric wards.
It was hard to tell who was more delighted - Rosella, or Dr. Sahondra, CEO of the Lutheran healthcare system in Madagascar -when they had the opportunity to greet each other. GHM Newborn Kits are valued by the 50 health facilities that Sahondra is responsible for - they help encourage women to visit their facilities during their pregnancies.
Rosella seems to make friends wherever she goes. She has been rallying friends at Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Crosslake, Minnesota, to make Newborn Kits for GHM, and she has orchestrated a network of people to help her. Some knit baby hats, others collect and drop off items at her house, someone at the local grocery store saves a certain kind of box she likes for shipping. Her nieces have given her newborn t-shirts for Christmas, knowing that’s what will warm her heart. A friend helps her assemble the Kits. Rosella and her friends have already sent more than 3,000 Newborn Kits to GHM to send overseas - and she’s well on her way to the next thousand!
