Stories of Impact
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Elizabeth is one of the nurses who works for Joyful Motherhood. I asked her to tell us about her work and this is what she said….. I enjoy my job because of the care we provide. After enrolling babies we follow up with them in their homes. One interesting thing I have noticed is that when we enroll clients at the office, they act as though they understand everything we tell them; maybe they feel uncomfortable or intimidated because it is within the hospital. But, when we go to them in their homes, they feel free. They ask questions. They…
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In June nurses admitted 11 babies (4 orphans, 1 set of triplets, 3 babies whose mothers did not produce breast milk, and 1 baby whose mother developed postpartum psychosis). The mother suffering from postpartum psychosis was also admitted into our program. Our team visited 227 babies and critically ill postpartum women. Nurses distributed 635 tins of formula to babies without access to breast milk. Baby Admission Story. Emma had three children. Life had been challenging, but her children were healthy and her youngest was ten when she learned of her new pregnancy. At 37 she was considered unusually old for…
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In May nurses admitted 8 infants (3 orphans (includes a set of twins), 3 babies whose mothers were not producing breast milk, and 2 babies of critically ill mothers). One postpartum woman with a severe infection was admitted. Nurses visited a total of 221 mothers and infants over the course of the month and 558 tins of formula were distributed. Baby Admission Story. Twin boys Chimwemwe and Chisomo were admitted this month into our program. Their mother was pregnant for the first time and attended her prenatal care clinic at the recommended intervals. Her rapidly enlarging belly signaled to the…
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In April Joyful Motherhood nurses admitted 5 babies (including, four orphans (two were a set of twins), and one baby whose mother was not producing breast milk). Two women were admitted into the program due to severe postpartum infections. The team visited 215 women and babies in their communities and 558 tins of formula were distributed. Baby Admission Story. Twenty-one year old Farao’s pregnancy was uneventful. The months passed quickly this time, as she now had a toddler to care for. Farao lived close to town in a bustling area which had its own maternity clinic, but her aunt worked…
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In March 11 babies were enrolled for support in our program (including 3 orphans, 3 sets of triplets, 1 baby with hydrocephalus, and 1 baby whose mother was not producing breast milk). Two sick women were enrolled. Nurses visited 194 babies and 23 sick women after delivery. Nurses distributed 595 tins of formula. (Formula is provided to sustain life. It is for babies without access to breast milk and for mothers of triplets, to supplement their milk.) Baby Admission Story. The triplets above are Success, Shepherd, and Stella. Even though Maggie attended her prenatal care clinic as recommended, she was…
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In February, seven babies were enrolled in our program (6 of whom were orphaned as newborns). Nurses are currently following 215 babies. One hundred and eighty five of those babies received home visits during the month of February. Sifra, pictured above with her paternal grandmother, is one of our new babies this month. Sifra’s mother was pregnant for the third time and carefully observed the recommendations made to ensure she and her baby remained healthy. She attended her prenatal visits. And, because her home was far from the hospital, she moved onto the hospital grounds two weeks before her due…
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With limited testing capability, 33 cases of Covid-19 have been identified in Malawi and three deaths have been attributed to the virus. An injunction to stay the original lockdown order by the President has been extended to April 29th. Fear of hunger and related civil unrest continue to eclipse fears of Covid. And, the goal of a lockdown in Malawi is being debated; there is no possibility of flattening “the curve” sufficiently to ensure that the health care system care would be able to cope with cases. In this world, where everything is changing day by day – and where…
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On March 23rd there were no confirmed Covid-19 cases in Malawi but President Peter Mutharika, declared a national disaster and closed all schools and universities. As of yesterday there were 16 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Malawi and two deaths. In response, the President issued a three week lockdown order, scheduled to begin Saturday, April 18th at midnight. Anxiety runs high. People are afraid, not so much of Covid-19, but of the order’s impact. The health care system, in normal times, functions at a skeletal level. There will be no high acuity care for Covid-19 patients, only supplemental oxygen and…
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The opportunities available today for young women in the US and Europe vastly outnumber those available to their grandmothers and perhaps even to their mothers. While racing towards the future we are acutely aware of persistent inequalities and many of us actively work to address them. Today is a day to celebrate the fruits our journey thus far, the momentum we continue to build, and the sisterhood between us. As we do this, let us also remember women who work hard with very little, striving for the survival and education of their children. Let us remember that women continue to…
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In the month of January 21 babies were enrolled in our program. Nine mothers died leaving healthy newborns without breast milk (two of these women had had twins). One set of triplets was enrolled, 4 mothers unable to produce breast milk brought their babies for enrollment, one set of twins were abandoned at the hospital and enrolled, and one baby whose mother developed postpartum psychosis and was unable to care for him. A total of 219 babies are currently enrolled. One hundred and twenty of our babies need formula and nurses distributed a total of 676 tins this month. Nurses…
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Miracle was born prematurely. Her mother suffered eclamptic seizures, and though she survived, she had a long slow recover and remained permanently impaired. Miracle was enrolled in March 2018 (see the full story and earlier picture) and with support from our nurses and the loving care of her family, she has thrived.
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Joyful Motherhood’s nurses have been following this beautiful mother and her triplets since their birth. She has three other children and thanks to the support of JM her babies are thriving.
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In the month of December 9 babies were enrolled (including 4 orphans, 1 baby of a mother with tuberculosis, a set of triplets, and one small baby of a mom not producing breast milk). Two postpartum women were admitted, both with severe infections and anemia. Nurses made a total of 190 visits and are currently care for 227 women and babies. Baby Admission Story. Twenty year old Loveness delivered a small but healthy baby girl on August 22nd. Everything went well. Both mom and baby were stable and they were quickly discharged home. Loveness had a mild cough which worsened…
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Regina was the fourth child in her family. Everything went well with the pregnancy and the delivery. Mother and baby left the hospital 24hours after delivery. Eight days later Regina’s mother, Alefa, started complaining of chest pain and she was taken to the hospital. Before clinicians had settled on a diagnosis, Alefa’s condition deteriorated and she died. Regina is now being raised by her paternal grandmother, who is receiving assistance from Joyful Motherhood.
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Look at this gorgeous little man. Trust was orphaned just after birth and is being raised by both his maternal and paternal grandmothers. He is clearly thriving with their love and the continued support of Joyful Motherhood. Trust is now 17 months old.