Unite recently awarded a $5,000 grant to Kivulini Hospital, run under Maternity Africa, in Arusha, Tanzania to fund the provision of quality pre- and post-natal care and safe deliveries for impoverished, at-risk teen mothers. Since the grant was awarded at the end of 2018 more than 53 girls have been served. In addition to receiving quality medical care, the teens have received targeted education programs during their time at the hospital to teach them about the importance of proper nutrition for themselves (the mothers), breastfeeding and immunizing their infants, and much more.
Most recently one of Unite’s Scholars Hosiana Thomas, a young Maasai single mother who has been sponsored by Unite to continue her studies in university focusing on community development, has joined the team at Maternity Africa/Kivulini Hospital as an outreach intern. Given her own experience as an unwed teen mother, Hosiana understands first-hand the challenges faced by young Maasai mamas and is working with the team at Maternity Africa to help inform their teen-support program, which is being designed now to provide further support and care for this most vulnerable population.
“Hosiana is a bright girl who can speak for herself,” says Maternity Africa Director Jude Holden. “Already she is assisting the outreach team in Maasailand seeking expectant mothers in need of care as well as women who are suffering from post-partum fistula.” Kivulini Hospital runs a fistula clinic a few times each year during which suffers are provided free surgeries to fix their fistulas and end their suffering and social ostracism.
““Hosiana is a bright girl who can speak for herself. Already she is assisting the outreach team in Maasailand seeking expectant mothers in need of care as well as women who are suffering from post-partum fistula.” ”
