Travel with Us – Notes from the Field
Our work brings us to some of the most remote and undeserved communities around the world. The stories below highlight only a few of the many ways our integrated, global approach to healthcare, life, and medicine has transformed the lives of women and children living in extreme poverty.
Healthcare
LOVING CARE TO HEAL FORMER CHILD SOLDIERS
In South Sudan, where violent conflict has become part of everyday life, children are often kidnapped and forced into military groups. CMMB is part of an important program to help children who are released from this terrifying captivity to rehabilitate their lives. Our CEO and president, Bruce Wilkinson, recently visited one of these Child Transit Centres in Yambio, South Sudan. He met and spoke with several of the girls currently living at the center. Bruce reported that “hundreds of children were released in Yambio, but the hard work of providing trauma counseling, health services, and reuniting the children with their parents is just beginning. Over 300 children were freed last week, including six babies born to young girls who were child soldiers.” As key partners for child protection in the area around Yambio and other parts of South Sudan, and as an advocate for the well-being of children, CMMB is faithfully committed to restoring the health, dignity, and humanity of these brutalized children and their communities.
Recently released child soldiers at the CMMB child transit center in Yambio, South Sudan
Life
ENSURING HEALTHY PREGNANCIES AND SAFE DELIVERIES
Dr. Tom Catena delivers babies in the Nuba Mountains in Sudan under extreme circumstances. At 28 years old, Rania had suffered several miscarriages. Finally, in labor for the fifth time, she arrived at the Mother of Mercy Hospital, where Dr. Catena delivered her baby boy by Cesarean section. Raina’s newborn developed breathing problems and needed oxygen and intensive care. Dr. Catena writes that this child’s life was saved because the necessary equipment and staff were in place to care for this mother during her difficult pregnancy. CMMB isn’t just a hospital or clinic. We are a community of volunteers, healthcare professionals, and staff who are called to care for people who have nowhere else to turn. We provide lifesaving care, but we also follow up with our community healthcare volunteers. These trusted partners on the ground ensure that the families understand how to care for their infants, and ensure they receive the nutrition and attention essential to healthy lives.
Watch a new interview with Dr. Tom about his work in the Nuba Mountains
Medicines
ENSURING ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL MEDICINES
When an outbreak with signs of malaria hit Yambio, South Sudan, we received an immediate request from staff on the ground to prepare an emergency shipment of rapid diagnostic testing kits, anti diarrhea medicines and oral rehydration salts. With skilled staff on the ground to recognize signs and symptoms, we help prevent outbreaks from spreading to the most vulnerable.
By teaming up with corporate partners who set aside community service days for employees to produce medicine for donation, a prescription topical medicine was produced to meet the specific needs of child patients in Haiti. The shipment traveled from the U.S. to Port-au-Prince before starting the final difficult leg of its journey with volunteers to reach a remote hospital with 60 beds serving 145,000 residents. Because of the generosity of corporate volunteers from the pharmaceutical sector, children in the pediatric ward no longer experience pain.
Being able to provide medicines to stop malaria, cholera and other waterborne diseases continues to be one of our core missions. You are the reason we can continue to work where others are not.
A child receives care at one of our partner health facilities in South Sudan.
We never know where we’ll be called to serve. Wherever it is, you can help us be there for women and children in need. Your support transforms lives.