Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Parish in Masaka Diocese, Uganda

In rural villages, poor pregnant women often seek care and help with delivery from low-cost, traditional birth assistants (TBAs). These TBAs are dangerously unskilled in emergencies and often use ineffective, herbal remedies to treat complications.

While in labor, a woman named Justine died with her unborn child on her way to a hospital on a motorbike. Women often have to cross difficult terrain, without suitable transportation to get to a state hospital. If they were confident in their local, parish clinics, many lives could be saved. Justine left behind a daughter who now has to be cared for by her father and grandmother.

The Nazareth Dispensary and Maternity Health Centre II was founded in 1983.

NEED

  1. Education for the approximately 10,000 villagers of the Masaka Diocese to trust in the parish clinic resources even if they are too poor to pay.
  2. Funds to pay for services for these poor mothers and children.
  3. Financial support for Justine’s daughter.

SOLUTION

  1. Father Pascal asked the MAAP Foundation for $5000 to build a poultry farm.
  2. By selling eggs and chickens, the poultry farm creates a replenishing fund of $100-$300 per month to pay for medical services for poor women and children.
  3. Other profit is reinvested in the farm by purchasing more chicks, food and hiring labor, thus creating a sustainable agribusiness.
St. Nazareth clinic

IMPACT

Because of the MAAP Foundation’s investment in The Nazareth Dispensary and Maternity Health Centre, the clinic has sustainable funds to treat poor patients. The community’s perception of the parish clinic has changed for the good, and today, 10-20 mothers a week come to the parish-based clinic to accept antenatal care supplied by hospital midwives. No mother is turned away due to low finances and thus, many women like Justine are saved.

Justine
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