Stories from
our partners.

Imagine giving birth alone on a dirt path.

That was never part of young Miriam's birth plan, or any woman's for that matter.

In the pre-dawn darkness, she stepped outside her home on her way to the outdoor latrine, expecting an ordinary start to the day. Instead, Miriam found herself in labor that progressed so quickly that she delivered her baby right there on the ground before she could reach help.

Hearing her cries, Miriam's mother rushed to her side. Together, they wrapped the newborn in a sheet and made their way to Grace Care, hoping someone would be there who could help.

Fortunately, there was.

The baby was cold and covered in dirt, but alive. Miriam was weak and needed care herself.

Grace Care staff cleaned and warmed the baby, cut and cared for the umbilical cord, and monitored her closely. Miriam received postpartum care and medication to help prevent infection.

Before long, both mother and baby were stable and doing well.

Today, Miriam and her daughter are healthy. They still stop by the clinic from time to time, smiling reminders that 24-hour access to care can be the difference between a birthday celebration and a tragedy.

While our team was visiting Grace Care in May, a teenage mother gave birth at just 28 weeks. Her baby girl, Praise, weighed only 2 pounds, 10 ounces.

Praise needed time to stay warm, learn to feed, gain weight, and get stronger. Keeping her in a clean, sanitary environment was also important to protect this tiny premature baby from infection. Her young mother was terrified to even hold her at first, but Grace Care's staff patiently taught her how to feed, warm, and care for her baby.

Then came another worry: How would she pay to stay?

Praise's father was contacted but would not help. Her mother considered leaving the clinic early, a decision patients sometimes make simply because they can't afford to stay.

Grace Care's staff told her to stay. They would figure out the bill later.

Over the next couple of weeks, Praise gained weight and strength while her mother gained confidence caring for her. Grace Care reduced the bill for their entire stay to just $13. Even that was more than her mother knew how she would pay.

One of our donors covered it.

Today, Praise returns to Grace Care for checkups and is growing healthy and strong.

Sometimes access to care is simply being given the time you need.