Image: Yvonne Simpson with PNG Soroptimists

Birthing in Pacific is a SI South West Pacific project to improve reduce maternal mortality in Papua New Guinea by training and equipping midwives. Soroptimists around the world raised over US$500,000 to support the project as part of SI President Alice Wells December 10 Appeal 2011-13. 

As President Ann Garvie launches a new Appeal for 2013-15, SI President-Elect Designate and SISWP Federation Liaison for Birthing in Pacific Yvonne Simpson reflects on Birthing in Pacific, its achievements, and the challenges in providing a level of healthcare to expectant mothers in PNG that many of us take for granted.

The SI President’s Appeal encourages Soroptimists to
take a moment to reflect, forgo something and donate the funds instead to a
worthy cause chosen by the President.

My reflection focuses on Birthing in the Pacific
because we all start with birth and for too many it is also an unnecessary end.  I know that I relied on having trained
professionals to help deliver my children safely. Needing an emergency caesarean,
after an ambulance trip to a bigger hospital in the next town, and stopping for
a train may not have had a positive outcome in Papua New Guinea. I am fortunate
to live in a country where such assistance is there for every mother. In Papua
New Guinea it is not. I count my blessings every day because my children give
me great joy and without such care I may not have had this “luxury”.

I think my bumpy start to motherhood has heightened my
awareness of the vulnerability of expectant mothers, and strengthened my resolve
that others receive a high level of care as theirs by right. My role as SISWP Federation
Project Liaison was one of support to the managers who were working in the
field.

Image: PNG midwife with a newborn baby

I was privileged, when SISWP President, to visit the
Port Moresby Hospital maternity ward and meet the passionate and hardworking
midwives and administration staff. I was humbled when I asked the question of
what were their needs to be told “ Gloves and hand sanitiser”. I was astounded
when I saw the high barbed wire fence that surrounded the ward to keep
intruders out and the mothers safe. I am in awe of the PNG Soroptimists who
balance their personal, health and work lives with the service work they do to
advocate for women’s rights, raise awareness of violence against women, empower
women to stand for Parliament, and support BIP as well as many, many other
projects.

Birthing in the Pacific is a Soroptimist project. It
started as training based at Port Moresby hospital and grew and developed. The
offer from Alice Wells of it becoming the 2011 and 2012 SI President’s Appeals
cranked up the possible income, and therefore the potential to make a greater
difference, and reach out beyond the capital. It increased the workload, and
the expectations. Payments came from the four federations each quarter – and so
quarterly we were looking at new possibilities. The BIP managers could only
plan with certainty when they knew what the funding was.

I could fill pages with the learning opportunities
that arose out of the challenges we faced. If it were easy then Millenium
Development Goal 5 of improving maternal mortality would have been achieved or
better progress made already in PNG. We need to remind ourselves of the
geographical, political, and cultural context that results in roads washed
away, malaria, and delays in goods arriving as common occurrences. However, each
frustration also holds the seed to a celebration of the spirit of the women
involved.

Image: SI Lae expedition to remote communities to collect baseline data on maternal health

Here are a few highlights I have experienced from behind
my computer in New Zealand:

• The phone call from Alice to ask if BIP could be her SI President’s
  Appeal. The ongoing support she gave to the project. Her faith in us to
  deliver. Her understanding as we hit rocky patches and had to change course.
• The unconditional generosity and work done by Janet Askern and May
  Lamont. Both volunteers managing a project off-shore. Using their leave
  provisions and personal time and resources.
• The progress being made by the PNG clubs. The treks made by SI Lae to collect
  baseline data. VBA trainings by SI Ramu. SI Port Moresby’s plans for BIP
  activities.
• The multi-level support of resourcing provided – from professional
  teaching resources (including Neo Natalie dolls) for clinicians, to Karim work
  bilums and basic equipment for the graduating Community Health workers, to
  simple birthing kits for Village Birth Attendants.
• The stories May Lamont has gathered of the women who are more
  knowledgeable and skilled as a result of the training. The stories of lives
  saved. Stories of empowered women.
• Soroptimist midwife Serah providing education to Village Birth Attendants
  in Ramu. Serah pausing in the middle of a training session to assist with a
  difficult birth. Women crossing deep and swollen rivers, changing their clothes
  so they could get to the other side, because they so wanted the training. World
  Vision endorsing the value of the VBA upskilling and sending participants.
• Upgrading the Gusap Health Clinic – including providing them with a
  birthing bed and buckets.
• The patience of Soroptimist leaders who want hard data on how many women
  have benefitted. We have a challenge collecting such data because in many areas
  records are not made or kept. We are mindful of your requests.
• The generosity of our sister federations.

Image: new birthing beds in use at Gusap health clinic, provided by BIP

And so, as SI
now launches President Ann’s initiative, I would like to express our thanks for
your generosity with BIP. The work continues and we will keep you posted.

I encourage you to make a similar contribution towards
“See Solar, Cook Solar” to enable more women to reach their potential, just as
you too have been enabled. It is a gift to yourself and to others. Two for the
price of one! Enjoy the giving.

Yvonne Simpson

Grateful mother empowered to be…
SISWP Federation Project Liaison
SISWP Immediate Past President
SI President-Elect Designate

Read more about Birthing in Pacific

Read more about President Ann’s "See Solar, Cook Solar" Appeal 2013-15