After two months in the hospital, Venite holds her healthy newborn at home

Andy,

When Venite, a 26-year-old woman in rural Côtes-de-Fer, Haiti, was expecting her first child, everything seemed normal. She faithfully attended prenatal visits at her nearest health center and looked forward to welcoming her baby.

But during a routine home visit, community health worker Iva noticed abnormal swelling in her legs that signaled a potentially life-threatening complication. The community health worker acted quickly, referring Venite for specialized care at nearby CMMB-supported Bishop Joseph Sullivan Hospital.

After assessment, Venite was transferred to Saint Boniface Hospital where she faced an emergency C-section and extended hospitalization to keep both mother and baby safe. After her baby girl was born, the infant had to spend the first month of her life in an incubator. After much care, mother and daughter were released in full health.

In rural areas, especially in low-income countries, health systems are often stretched thin, and any break in the referral chain could have been fatal. Thanks to you, community health worker Iva had the proper training to recognize Venite’s condition. Bishop Joseph Sullivan Hospital had the supplies and capacity to diagnose and refer Venite to the best hospital for her health. Today, we can celebrate a healthy mother and child in Côtes-de-Fer, Haiti.

“Without that intervention,” Venite shared, “I would not have experienced such a positive outcome.”

Stories like Venite’s are possible because of compassionate supporters like you who believe every mother and child deserves a safe, healthy future. Thank you for being part of this lifesaving work!

In grace and peace,
CMMB - Healthier Lives Worldwide