What a happy way to celebrate the second anniversary of the birthing house - with a recent visit from Ebou and photos of some of the newest additions to the village born in the house. A total of 55 babies have been born in the house since it opened two years ago!
Dembo Jarjou and family
Fifty-five mothers have delivered in the privacy and comfort of the house, in a clean environment, surrounded by their support network of women friends and family and Penyem's traditional birth attendant. It's amazing.
The birth register (look at the number!)
None of this would have been possible without the generous support of so many people in Canada and elsewhere, and most importantly without the commitment and vision of the people of Penyem.
A huge thanks in particular to my parents in Ottawa, who have led the grassroots fundraising for the project, and to Ebou in the Gambia. He has continued to document progress with photos for those of us abroad and spends time on his visits home to the village doing ongoing consultation and planning to ensure the house is even more comfortable, safe and clean for the women of Penyem to bring new life into the world.
A huge thanks in particular to my parents in Ottawa, who have led the grassroots fundraising for the project, and to Ebou in the Gambia. He has continued to document progress with photos for those of us abroad and spends time on his visits home to the village doing ongoing consultation and planning to ensure the house is even more comfortable, safe and clean for the women of Penyem to bring new life into the world.
Abdoulie Nyassi and family
I am delighted to be going back to the Gambia for two weeks in April to visit! I can't wait to spend time in Penyem with the women and families, meet some of the birthing house babies - maybe even my namesake! - and talk through their upcoming plans with them. One of the areas they are looking into is sustainable options for lighting for nighttime deliveries, such as solar panels and suitable batteries.
I'll most certainly be taking lots of photos while I'm there and will share them with you, as well as more specific details on the next steps for the house and how you can support the project. We are accepting support on an ongoing basis for the house, so do let me know if you're interested.
I remember how incredibly happy we felt two years ago today when hundreds of people from Penyem and beyond gathered for the day to celebrate the opening of the Conlon Mullally Birthing House. To look back today and realize that in two short years, the house has provided a clean, safe, positive space for fifty-five births in the village is also an incredibly joyful feeling.
Thanks once again to everyone who has been involved in making this happen, and who continues to make it happen.
