Gerry Godwin (a Soroptimist in the Kingston upon Thames club) was guest speaker at SI South Lancashire’s autumn Programme Action Meeting. Gerry is SI Southern England’s regional ambassador for SIGBI’s Birthing in the Gambia (BIG) Project.
A qualified nurse and midwife who has travelled in Africa – including Gambia – to observe midwifery practices, Gerry gave a personal perspective on conditions for pregnant women and their babies. She was also able to update members on the impact that Soroptimists’ funding has made through the BIG Project.
Gerry quoted facts and figures on the dire situation for women and babies – maternal mortality, child death under 5, cultural restrictions, labour ward equipment and the sheer logistics of travelling in a country with an inadequate transport infrastructure and a huge river at its heart. The BIG project highlights these problems.
The BIG Project is, however, making a difference. It allows the funds raised to be use in an educational and practical manner which creates sustainability for the local population. Soroptimist funding has, for example, enabled many traditional birth attendants to be trained and equipped with a basic emergency kit; it has supplied an ambulance that can withstand the road conditions; it has re-fitted out labour wards. All this has impacted positively – indications are that maternal mortality and child deaths are reduced wherever funds have been invested.
South Lancashire’s Soroptimists know that even small sums can go a long way in the BIG Project. £10 buys a mask and bag for resuscitation; £25 supplies an emergency kit for a traditional birth attendant. Myra Woodcock (SI Stockport) is collecting broken/unwanted jewellery (of any quality), foreign coins and old mobile phones for the project. In June, the jewellery realised over £100. So members are urged to collect items in their clubs and bring them to the next regional meeting.
Clubs wishing to find out more about the BIG Project – perhaps to book a speaker for a club meeting? – should liaise with South Lancashire’s own ambassador, Yvonne Gibbon.
At the regional AGM, elections were held and successful candidates congratulated. The 2013-14 team takes up the reins after the Federation Conference in Gateshead.