“It’s too early.”
Winifred was alone at home in her remote village in Kenya when her contractions started. She was still six-weeks away from her due date and far from the nearest health facility. She hoped the pain would pass, but it only got worse. The baby was coming.
She finally arranged a motorbike to make the long, difficult journey to the hospital, but it was too late. Winifred had no choice, she had to deliver her baby by the side of the road. It was clear the baby was in severe distress.
“I remember my baby’s tiny body shivering. He was struggling to breathe.” – Winifred, baby John’s mother
Winifred held her tiny newborn close as they made their way to the nearest rural health center. When they arrived, the nurse on staff realized they did not have the equipment to care for Winifred’s premature baby. They arranged for emergency transport to Mutomo Mission Hospital. Winifred prayed that everything would be ok.
When they got to the hospital, the baby was immediately put inside an incubator. He was so weak and and had to be resuscitated several times. At one point, he slipped into a coma and the doctors thought they’d lost him. But Winifred’s prayers were answered. Baby John woke up and started to respond. He spent the first month of his life in that incubator.
Proper medical equipment and medicines are vital for infants like baby John. Your compassion and generosity can help make life-saving equipment and medicines available to these fragile young, lives.