Meet Sophie.
She is one of the Ten Suubi Women
who trained for 2 ½ years in women’s reproductive health. She is a mother, a
daughter and a life-saver. In many rural parts of Uganda, professional doctors,
nurses and midwives are uneducated and underqualified. The serious lack of
knowledge and skill puts countless people at risk. But because of the training
Sophie received through the Suubi Health Center, she has been able to change
the lives of women and children in Budondo. As we sat outside with the Mukisa family and the
Suubi Women, Sophie told us her story:
“One time I was called to a place.
The girl was having a miscarriage. She was 6 months along. The girl pushed out
the baby. They tried to revive it but failed. The umbilical cord was still
attached.”
“I noticed that this girl was not
having much time to live. The “midwife” (an underqualified professional) said
they should cut off the umbilical cord so that the girl’s family could take her
to the hospital. I said no. I advised them to wrap the fetus with the girl, tie
them together and take her to the hospital.” This was a technique that Sophie had
remembered from her Suubi training.
Sophie didn’t accompany the girl
and her family to the hospital. They told the story to her afterwards: “When
they reached the main hospital in Iganga, the doctor told the girl and the
caretakers that many people in the villages have killed women and girls in this
same situation by cutting the umbilical cord. Because when you cut it, it goes
back into the womb and starts swelling.”
Mukisa, Sophie’s father, prompted
the story further: “What did the doctor ask?”
Sophie continued with a smile, “Usually
women in this situation die soon after they arrive to the hospital. The doctor
asked, ‘who gave you such advice?’”
The girl’s family answered
proudly, “Suubi.”
The Ten Suubi Women have beaten
the odds. Though some have not completed their formal education, their strong
desire to impact the community gave them the drive and determination to study
public health for over two years. Now, they are considered to be the experts in
their communities. When a medical issue arises, a Suubi Woman is called. They
hope to continue advancing their education once the Suubi Health Center opens.
They want to share what they have learned with women and families across
Uganda.
Bernard Mukisa, founder of the
Suubi Health Center says, “We would like to advance the cause of the females.
They are the ones holding the economy of the country in their hands. They are
the mothers who produce the future leaders.”
Be a part
of Women’s Empowerment in Budondo. Support the Suubi Women by donating at www.stayclassy.org/suubicenter
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