We are coming to the end of our third year of the Nehnwaa Project in Liberia, and we couldn’t be happier with the progress. The communities we are serving through this project are thriving, with community leaders taking personal responsibility for the health and welfare of the people in their villages. We traveled to many of the villages this summer, meeting people and talking to them about the work we were doing. And that’s when we met Celestine.
Celestine is a trained traditional midwife with the Nehnwaa Project in the village of Gotonwin. When asked why she chose to receive the training, she replied that she never wanted another woman to endure the pain she suffered during the birth of her youngest son.
During her labor, they realized the baby was breach with his body was contorted in her uterus. Celestine went through several hours of agonizing pain as the midwife worked to get the baby into proper position for delivery. Fortunately Celestine and her baby survived, and both are happy and healthy.
Celestine’s experience still haunts her, however, so she has made it her life’s mission to help woman have healthy pregnancies and safe deliveries. The training she received through the Nehnwaa Project taught her the importance of prenatal care and safe delivery in a healthcare facility. Celestine walks with the women in her village through their pregnancies and makes sure they go to the hospital when it comes time for them to give birth.
“I want every mother to have a healthy baby without suffering,” says Celestine.
“I can help them now thanks to Nehnwaa.”
Imagine the pride I felt when I heard Celestine’s story – our work is making a difference! Then I stopped myself… I was proud, but more than that, I was thankful. Thankful to Celestine for coming forward to be trained. Thankful to her village chief for allowing us to work in his village. Thankful for the Nehnwaa project workers who visit with Celestine every month. Thankful to the staff of Impact Global Health Alliance for all they have done to make this project successful. And thankful for people like you who help make this possible.
Sincerely,
Jaime Carrillo
