“African women in general need to know that it's OK for them to be the way they are - to see the way they are as a strength, and to be liberated from fear and from silence.
"It is important to nurture any new ideas and initiatives which can make a difference for Africa.”
– Wangari Maathai
One year ago today, hundreds of people gathered together in Penyem to celebrate the grand opening of the birthing house. The opening ceremony celebration was the culmination of two years of fundraising, planning and building to bring the birthing house dream to life; it was a truly joyous occasion!
After a full day of dancing, speeches, blessings and a feast, the ribbon was cut and people flooded the house to have a look at where the women of Penyem would be able to give birth from then onwards: a safe, clean, private space for them to labour and deliver their babies.
Today, one year later, twenty-three babies have been born to the women of Penyem, with the majority of these births taking place in the birthing house (those women who had prenatal complications, were expecting their first child or had already delivered five or more children were referred to a health centre or hospital for delivery).
The women who delivered in the birthing house were able to do so in a clean, private and comfortable space; they no longer have to deliver their children outside, behind their family compounds. And they've been able to do so assisted by the traditional birth attendant who now has a steady supply of the clean delivery materials and equipment she requires, surrounded by their mothers, sisters, aunts and friends. This house was their dream and they proudly manage it on behalf of the whole village.
In celebration of the one year anniversary of the grand opening, here are photos of all of Penyem's newest additions (all girls!) and their families, courtesy of Ebrima, who continues to be an incredible link between those of us in Canada and the villagers in Penyem. Thank you, Ebou, you are a star!
The birth register (also created through this initiative, along with death registers, for the 13 villages in the community health nurse's catchment area) shows all of the births to date, including where the babies were born: PBH is the birthing house; BHC is Brikama Health Centre, the closest one to Penyem; and RVTH is the Royal Victoria Teaching capital, Gambia's tertiary care hospital in the capital city of Banjul. Here it is:
If you look carefully at the register, you will notice a familiar name in entry #22: Ebrima Nyassi and his wife Amie Gibba are proud parents to a new baby girl! Their new baby joins older brother Musa, and will be named at her ceremony next week. I’ll be sure to share photos of the family when they’re ready!
And here is an up to date photo of my namesake, Shauna Badgie, who is quite an active toddler apparently. She's adorable!
- a smaller gas canister that is easier for the women to use themselves, and less costly for them to re-fill;
- stronger lights for the traditional birth attendant to use during nighttime deliveries;
- materials to build a higher wall for the garden area (because the village animals keep going after the garden produce!);
- thicker curtains for the house to ensure privacy on really sunny days;
- and a steady supply of clean delivery kits and cleaning supplies.
Enjoy the photos and what they represent... a dream the women of Penyem had that has been fulfilled and one year on is delivering (ha ha), through contributions big and small by people in the Gambia, in Canada and beyond! Happy 1st birthday to the Penyem Birthing House!
