~by Peggy Karg~
Sally and I had the privilege of visiting the Bumbogo Health Center this morning, near the LWA therapy center. This is a government outpost for health care, serving about 28,000 citizens in the Bumbogo sector. LWA has had a partnership with this clinic since 2022. Our friend Louise met us at the door with a big hug and her beautiful smile. Louise is the nurse/midwife and director of the center, which serves as a birthing center for this large community. Louise has a calm, competent, confident countenance and is just the one I would want to be there if I was a first time mom in labor. They deliver 295 babies here each year and send another 185 moms on to a hospital in Kigali when there are complications.
They have existed with scarce resources for many years but have gradually obtained more basic equipment and supplies. In the last 4 years teams from Colorado have provided running water in the delivery room, lab, and wound care room, new hospital beds, a refrigerator for storing medicines, a washing machine and ultrasound machine.
We met with a group of pregnant moms who were there for prenatal care and then enjoyed a tour of the center. We were able to present Louise with a donation that will be used to put running water in the remaining rooms and add needed bedding and mattresses.
My favorite part of our visit was stopping by the postpartum room. We met two new moms and their baby boys born last night. We gave the clap and cheer for congratulations. As we peeked at these tiny newborn faces, Gilbert’s wife, Esther whispered to us that when you meet a new baby for the first time, it is customary to give a gift to them. Sally quickly came up with $5 for porridge and a candy for each mom. Thank you Esther for helping us properly welcome these new little ones into the world! There was a grandma there too – the joy and happiness of welcoming a new baby into the family is universal!
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