The UNWomen.org website shares some dire statistics regarding women’s health care in rural Liberia:
“With 1,072 maternal deaths for every 100,000 births, Liberia has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. The mortality rate of newborns, within the first 28 days of life, is also high—37 for every 1,000 live births. In the remote areas, infrastructure and facilities in clinics are often lacking; midwives and health workers have to deliver babies without any electricity at night.”
So many lives of mothers and babies will be saved when the Waterfield Maternity/Surgical addition is completed and operational at Healthy Women, Healthy Liberia in Kakata.
Our Community Health Workers are now traveling to 90 villages in Margibi County (up from 37 last year) to provide medical and hygiene training, supply prenatal and worm medications, take blood pressures and direct referrals when necessary. We are blessed beyond measure as we live Christ’s Great Commandment by loving and caring for our neighbors in Liberia.
New Maternity/Surgical Center Construction Continues
Thanks to the Waterfield family we have been able to continue with construction of the new Maternity and Surgical addition to our clinic. Check our Facebook Page to track progress between quarterly newsletters. In only five months we have gone from groundbreaking (see 2Q Newsletter) to having the addition under roof. Once the building is completed we will greatly appreciate monetary gifts from you, our partners, so that we will be able to furnish this new building with the necessary medical equipment to make it fully operational.
Replacement Van Has Arrived
Our Community Health Workers are serving thousands of residents of 90 villages located near our Kakata clinic. With our old passenger van beyond repair, CHWs were traveling in the back of an unairconditioned cargo van without seats and windows. Thanks to our amazing donor-partners we have been able to purchase a low mileage replacement van. In June the newer van arrived to much rejoicing. Take a minute to see our staff celebrating the arrival of the van!
This is Us
Meet Boway Africa, Lab Tech at Waterfield: “My name is Boway T. Africa from Gorlu Town, Salayea District, Lofa County. I am in a relationship with Kebbeh James and blessed with a son named Moses Africa. I am a Medical Laboratory Technician, a graduate of the Phebe Medical School of Laboratory Technology. My thanks and appreciation goes out to the Asbury United Methodist Church in Allentown USA for their generous support. Asbury sponsored me from 9th grade through the end of high school in 2016, and again at Phebe where I earned my Laboratory Diploma in August 2021. Looking back at the lives of my parents they were unable to complete their education due to their lack of financial support. This makes me even more grateful. Today I am able to read and write because of their generosity. I am looking forward to using their investments in my life to bring good development in my community and country. Also, to use my education as a Laboratory Technician that will bring about a proper diagnosis for patients, that leads to proper treatments. May the Lord continues to bless you as you have blessed my own family.”
Supplies Shipped from the US
On June 4th, Through These Hands donated a truckload of medical equipment which was shipped to Liberia to begin stocking the new clinic addition. Members of Asbury Church in Allentown, PA were on hand to pack the truck. The next shipment will take place in mid-November.
Our plan is to continue to send out these newsletters on a quarterly basis so we don’t overwhelm your inboxes with emails! For updates between newsletters, please visit our web site and Facebook page.
We treasure your partnership in this mission. Your donations to this ministry are greatly appreciated. We’d love to hear from you anytime with your comments or questions.
Dick McCreight
Secretary, HWHL
