Maternal bliss and healthy newborns are trending at the moment with the arrival of little Prince George. Kate and William looked picture perfect with their new baby, which brought smiles to people around the world who joined in congratulations to the happy couple and prayers for the little one.
While following news on the royal birth, I started to think about the mothers whom I have met in the developing world. Every mother I’ve met has shared stories: happy stories of joyful babies, tough stories of having little to eat while pregnant or walking for miles to reach a hospital while in labour, and heartbreaking stories of children who did not even reach their fifth birthday.
In the past two decades, the number of children dying each year under the age of five has fallen from 12 million to just seven million. This is real progress.
There are many good news stories.
Shaheen is a young mother from Pakistan. In her first pregnancy the local Traditional Birth Attendant tried to deliver the baby when she wasn’t actually in labour, causing complications. In her second pregnancy, a World Vision Social Mobiliser saw during a routine visit that Shaheen was at risk and would need a hospital delivery, and helped ensure a safe birth.
Archana is a mother and community activist from India. She has organised kitchen gardens to help ensure lactating mothers have enough to eat and to help raise funds to support women’s support groups.
Local action by local heroes is saving and changing lives. But for the families of the seven million children who do not survive such good news stories are cold comfort. They need our support. Every year,
