I mentioned earlier, when talking about the Heartline Ministries Birth Center, that I would post the letter I am going to mail to those I know, involved in Chirdbirth across the country. I will be mailing it this week. Please feel free to print this letter and / or e-mail it to anyone you know who may work in the childbirth field or who may just want to be a part of this important ministry.
Thank you, your e-mail could provide the resources needed to provide a safe, gentle birth for a Haitian woman.
Homebound Missions
Kathyleen M Kangas
1225 Providence Road
Whitinsville, MA 01588
www.homeboundmissions.org
508.839.9972
Dear Childbirth Professional:
She died in Childbirth because her husband had not paid
My name is Kathy Kangas and for over 10 years I was involved in the Childbirth Profession, first as a Bradley Method Instructor and later an apprenticing Midwife, and Director of Childbirth Education Services of Greater Worcester County.
Approximately 5 years ago, my husband and I, were in Carrefour, Haiti an area of Port-au-Prince. While documenting families, we came upon a young mother and her newborn that in need of immediate medical care (read Ketly’s Story at www.homeboundmissions.org ) and as we responded to this need, were confronted with a laboring woman who was in the hospital and shortly after died in childbirth. She didn’t die because there wasn’t a doctor available, or a hospital to go to; she died because her husband had not come to pay.
You can only imagine the scope of feelings and outrage that were racing through me, especially as a woman who respects and loves the process of birth. I was just sick!
74% of women give birth at home unattended
No one knows this better than Beth McHoul, Director of the Heartline Haiti’s Women’s Program (www.heartlinehaiti.org) . Beth has worked in Haiti for over 20 years caring for orphaned infants and toddlers. Two years ago she began working with women and what is emerging is the Heartline Haiti’s Birth Center, staffed by NARM Certified Midwives.
The Heartline Haiti’s Women’s Program presently cares for 40 women a week. The women each receive according to their needs:
- Prenatal Care
- Food and Vitamin Supplements
- Prenatal, Childbirth, & Postpartum Classes
- Breastfeeding Assistance
- Child Development & Parenting Classes
In order to give birth at the birth center, the women must be part of the program, as Haiti has an extremely high risk population. The goal of the program is to offer quality, nurturing care to the women who are in the program. Beth McHoul, Director of the program says, “We want to serve the women in our program.” As staff and funds are available they will grow the program to include more women.
Will you help us make childbirth safe for women in Haiti?
Financial donations can be made online at www.heartlinehaiti.org , or you can mail your donation to:
Heartline Haiti’s Women’s Program
P.O. Box 898
Sunnyside, WA 98944 Your gift is tax deductible.
You may also make Gift of Kind donations (items not cash). A complete list can be found at www.homeboundmissions.org, Kathy’s Blog. They can be shipped to:
Homebound Missions
1225 Providence Road PMB #129
Whitinsville, MA 01588 Your gift is tax deductible.
If you are a skilled midwife, student midwife, physician, or nurse and would like to teach or assist hands on, contact Beth McHoul at bethmchoul@yahoo.com, tell her what you have to offer and maybe a mission’s trip could be on your horizon.
Please pass this information along to anyone who may want to be a part of this great opportunity. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Kathy Kangas
Homebound Missions
For an up-close and personal look at a day for Heartline Ministry’s WP check out:
http://www.livesayhaiti.blogspot.com (February 27, 2009) |
