In Uganda, 16 women die EVERY DAY from childbirth.It is also home of the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in Sub-Saharan Africa, with 50% of girls being married before they turn 18.
The Shanti Uganda Society works to improve the health and lives of mothers and children in Uganda by supporting birthing women and women with HIV/AIDS. Founded in 2008 by Natalie Angell-Besseling, Shanti Uganda has grown tremendously. They hold yago, prenatal, and nutrition workshops for women, They teach teen girls how to make their own reusable menstrual pad, and about nutrition, HIV/AIDS, and healthy role models. They help teach them as a community how to be sustainable by growing their own food, and creating business for income.
This past year they helped deliver 113 babies, provided HIV and STD testing for over 400 women and their partners, provided 1000 antenatal care appointments and run a weekly infant immunization and family planning program. This year they want to grow even more, and expand their services and reach in 2013!
If you would like to help, there are many opportunities to do so. You can help them purchase an additional acre of land to grow their facility, or provide medical supplies needed in their birth center, help upgrade their solar power, or any one of the other ways to help. There are also many other ways to get involved, from doula training to volunteering, both in Uganda and from home.
Disclaimer: I wrote this post as part of the Global Team of 200, but received no compensation. It was written with the goal to raise awareness of worldwide causes and issues.
What a blessing that organization is! Thank you for sharing about the work they’re doing! I’m glad you’re part of it!
What a great group. I had never heard of them before. The sheer amount of people with HIV/AIDS is astounding and I know that testing goes a long way in becoming aware and helping aide those in need. Education and awareness is so important.
I think education is the key and this organization is definitely educating people. Looks like a wonderful organization. Good for you, helping to bring attention to it! I’m going to look into it a little more closely!
Wow, that is a LOT of women dying every day. What a great organization! Educating these women is going to do so much for them. Each thing they learn, they can pass onto more women and one day this issue will be over. Thanks for the info, I am going to head over to the site and peek around.
When I read that first statistic my jaw hit the floor. SO thankful for this group and that they are working to make a difference. Thanks for sharing.
This organization sounds like such a blessing…I pray that they can continue to grow and help women