We (Shayna and Chris) have been living in Jinja, Uganda since November and plan to stay until the end of April. We've been privileged to work  at St. Francis Health Care Services, a locally run HIV clinic that is doing amazing things with little resources.

We've managed to weasel our way into clinic workflow in several ways- working in the pharmacy, weighing babies to be immunized, teaching tennageers computer skills, but we wanted to contribute to something concrete to the organization where we have learned so much before we left for Canada. We consulted with the director, Faustine, Ngarembe, and we agreed that completing  construction of the maternity ward was a top priority. The maternity ward would allow all women (HIV positive and not) to access maternal health services, safe deliveries included. We've been fundraising for the project ever since.

Currently, the ward is a half finished brick shell. Funding for the ward thus far has come from support of community members and local friends of St Francis who would contribute what they could (a bag of cement, some bricks, etc). Construction stopped in May of 2010 due to lack of funds to support the completion. Mothers are eagerly waiting for the ward to be finished. They hold child immunization days in the brick shell as if to remind us the importance of this project. What needs to be done is finishing work on the interior and exterior of the building, electrical installation, plumbing, medical supplies, equipment, beds. With $23,533 we should be able to finish construction. The remainder of the fundraising goal is for equipment and supplies.

Why is a Maternity Ward needed? Each year nearly 585,000 women die from complications due to pregnancy and childbirth, 99% of deaths occurring in developing countries such as Uganda Many deaths occur in rural areas where women can’t access services and deliver at home with untrained help or no help at all. If they can afford it, women in labor might risk a boda-boda (motorcyle) to the congested hospital to deliver. However, even at the hospital she is still in danger if she lacks money to pay for lesser things like latex gloves to important life saving medicines.

Who directly benefits from the ward?
 Families: Mothers are the proverbial glue that hold families together. The loss of a mother has a huge impact on the remaining family.
Children born to HIV positive parents: The ward would offer Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission services, reducing new HIV infections in babies by testing of all mothers before delivery, administration of HIV medications  before / during / after labor to HIV positive mothers, administration of HIV medications to babies shortly after delivery.

It can be difficult to contribute money to international organizations in developing countries, because we have no idea if our money will reach those who need it the most. We can tell you exactly where the money raised will be going, down to the last shilling which will be 100% directly to the maternity ward. You can help by donating, talking to other about it, and reading more about maternal health around the world.

You can donate from the United States by mailing a check or money order made payable to the Stephen Lewis Foundation - TIDES Foundation to the address below. Make sure you indicate that the donation is for the Maternity Ward - St. Francis and to request a tax receipt.

Tides Foundation New York Office
55 Exchange Place
Suite 402
New York, NY 10005

To learn more about St. Francis check out their website at: http://www.stfrancishealthservices.org/

Here is more information about St. Francis Health Care Services.

Saint Francis Health Care Services was established in 1998 by Ugandans for Ugandans. It’s vision is to contribute to a world free of HIV infection. The clinic is located in Njeru Town Council next to Mbiko; a congested and rural area containing many slums. In Mbiko, there is a major truck stop along the trans-African highway, which has resulted in an influx of prostitution and thereby further transmissions of HIV. The HIV prevalence rate is 8%, higher than the national average of 6.4%. St. Francis provides this vulnerable community with: voluntary counseling and testing, HIV treatment and drugs, outpatient and palliative care, youth clubs, including one for young HIV positives, a grandmother and orphan support group, outreach programs, home based care, Omoana House (child rehabilitation centre). Saint Francis receives little funding from the government of Uganda. It runs almost exclusively on donor funding from organizations like the Stephen Lewis Foundation, The Elton John Foundation, and USAID. Despite the unpredictability of being donor funded and an already large workload, St. Francis is continuously expanding and improving their services to address community needs.

We are also on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Making-a-Maternity-Ward-at-St-Francis-a-Reality/110980605688698?sk=info

Feel free to contact Chris and Shayna at: shaynaandchris@gmail.com

Fundraising Material is available online:
Powerpoint:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BxTq8UiSNufuYTJkMTZiNzktM2IzNS00YmJlLWEwNTUtZTc2NzIzNzUyNWI4
Brochure:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BxTq8UiSNufuYWZmZmRlYzUtYmE3MC00YWRmLWI1YjgtZWU2MWE2YWI2NDI3

If you think this page contains objectionable content, please contact us at info@stephenlewisfoundation.org