Would
you cycle for a cause if that cause is orchestrated to save new born lives? I
would; not because I work for Save the Children; I care because I am a mother.
Did you know that 33,600 children in Nepal die each year before they turn 5?
And, did you know that the first 1000 days (the day a child is conceived until the
child turns 2.5 years old) is the most critical window period for a child’s survival
and its overall growth? (learn about the first 1000 days at www.savethechildren.org)
The
risks calculated by these folks living in Shamali VDC makes sense because the
sub health posts and the health posts lack the basic necessities required in a
birthing center and even more so if expecting mothers require surgical support.
The sub health post in Shamali VDC has a single rusted iron bed, a plastic
sheet is used as linen and a used butter jar holds the placentas. Lack of
sterile surgical equipment, access to clean drinking water and electricity is a
far flung demand. A mother is lucky if a health assistant is present. Expecting
mothers in Shamali VDC therefore prefer to give birth at home in the presence
of someone they trust – mostly a sudini (a Nepali name for women who assist in
birthing). All goes well if the term is normal and mother delivers the baby
normally. But not all birthing is success and many expecting mothers die while
giving birth along with their unborn children.
This
July 20th, Save the Children in partnership with Social Tours is
organizing Kora Cycling event with the objective to raise NRs 100,000,0 to
build a model birthing centre in Baitadi. Baitadi is the farthest western
district of Nepal and is deprived of road access and basic infrastructures. For
people living in Shamali VDC, it takes them 2 days on foot to reach the nearest
district hospital and 3-4 hours walk to the nearest health post. There is a
silver lining - a sub health post is situated 30 minutes away. But families
here do not want to take risks and instead walk for two days to reach the
district hospital sometimes endangering the lives of pregnant women and their unborn
children.
The
risks calculated by these folks living in Shamali VDC makes sense because the
sub health posts and the health posts lack the basic necessities required in a
birthing center and even more so if expecting mothers require surgical support.
The sub health post in Shamali VDC has a single rusted iron bed, a plastic
sheet is used as linen and a used butter jar holds the placentas. Lack of
sterile surgical equipment, access to clean drinking water and electricity is a
far flung demand. A mother is lucky if a health assistant is present. Expecting
mothers in Shamali VDC therefore prefer to give birth at home in the presence
of someone they trust – mostly a sudini (a Nepali name for women who assist in
birthing). All goes well if the term is normal and mother delivers the baby
normally. But not all birthing is success and many expecting mothers die while
giving birth along with their unborn children.
The
scenario above is nothing new in Nepal’s far flung hard to reach villages. A
staggering 33,600 children are dying every year in Nepal before they reach 5
years. If you have ever dreamt of being a part of a worthy cause the Kora
cycling event is the right start. The objective of this year’s event is to
spread awareness about the dire conditions of health posts in Baitadi and raise
funds. The event is a part of Save the Children’s global campaign ‘Everyone’.
To
be a part of the event log on to www.facebook.com/kathmandu.kora and cycle with
us to save the new born. The Kora Cycling event invites each one of you to join
our cause, own the cause and in unity work towards saving the lives of
expecting mothers and their children.
The
funds raised from this event will be used to build a new model birthing center
in Shamali VDC, Baitadi.
Comments
Post a Comment