By Brandy Webb, special contributor
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| Nine members of the College Avenue UMC Church Ladies group pose with the birthing kits they assembled. Back row from left, Laura Hohenbary, Suelen Gayle, Sheryl Fjell, Heather Lansdowne, Jenny Hutchinson and Amy Hageman; front row from left, Sarah Williams, Joy Wade and Courtney Fowler. (photo by Mia Wade) |
Each birthing kit includes plastic sheeting, a receiving blanket, latex gloves and a disposable razor. The kit items were donated by other congregation members and packaged blanket that were hand-made by the Church Ladies.
The completed kits were donated to the local Healthy Families, Healthy Planet chapter for distribution. These kits are essential for expecting mothers in developing countries that do not have access to hospitals or other means of healthcare. Most of these women birth their babies at home with the assistance of a midwife.
The Church Ladies became involved with this organization through College Avenue UMC member Courtney Fowler, who is a Healthy Families, Healthy Planet ambassador.
Healthy Families, Healthy Planet is a “program initiative of the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society,” according to their website. Learn more about the organization at http://umchealthyfamilies.org.
Brandy Webb is the program director at College Avenue UMC in Manhattan.
