Help the birthing hut

by Alisha Brignall

In North America we are lucky enough to have choice in birth. We can choose our attendants, we can choose if we want to give birth in a hospital, a birth centre or at home. We have qualified people to help us before, during and after the birth. Women in Sierra Leone are not so lucky.

The situation

Birth Unlimited first introduced us to CAUSE Canada at the International Day of the Midwife event in May. Theresa, a midwife from Sierra Leone, told us how many women and babies were dying each month because of the lack of resources and qualified midwives and doctors in that area. The numbers were staggering. However, Theresa spoke with such passion and desire for change that she empowered the women listening and told us how we could help.

Baby Shower for Africa

It’s simple enough. Hold a “Baby Shower for Africa.” Invite your friends over for a wine and cheese, or chips and salsa, and each person donates what they would toward a girlfriend’s baby shower but the money goes to a Birthing Hut in Sierra Leone. Each birthing hut costs around $3,600 and the amount of women and babies that are saved by these huts is astonishing. These huts become part of the community, somewhere for mothers to connect and get that support that we in North America take for granted. There are other ways to get involved as well, if hosting a Baby Shower yourself just isn’t your thing.

Other ways to help

Catertot Consignment in Airdrie has a consigner account #6000 that they opened in order to raise money for a birthing hut. Owner Sarah Deveau finds this cause near and dear to her heart, and says: “If all of our active consigners donated just two items worth as little as $3 each, we would reach our goal quickly.” She will be putting 100 per cent of the proceeds from the consigner account toward building a hut. So if you have an old stroller collecting dust in your basement or garage you can take it to Catertot, and help save a baby’s life.

Another way to contribute is by attending the Indie Rock Family Dance Party, hosted by Room to Grow and Babes in Arms. This family friendly event is scheduled for the fall and will be filled with fun activities and prizes. All of the proceeds from this event will also go to build a Birthing Hut. Lindsay Ross, co-owner of Babes In Arms, believes that “women around the world are connected through mothering and that all of us deserve a safe place to give birth,” and that collecting donations for a Birthing Hut helps the state of birth globally.

Also, Birth Unlimited will be hosting a Baby Shower at their board and staff meeting on Nov. 14. Since this is the organization that first introduced us to cause, this babyvibe momma will be sure to be in attendance.

AB archives

baby shower for Africa

Help the birthing hut

The situation

Baby Shower for Africa

Other ways to help

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