According to the BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 report, the current maternal mortality ratio in Uganda is 336 maternal deaths per 100,000 and the number of children in orphanages has increased from approximately 1,000 in the 1990s to more than 50,000 today.
In April 2021, Achii Christine a resident of Barlyech, Awachi sub-county and a Bedkiwadu Cluster Level Association member died of excessive bleeding while giving birth; leaving behind a baby girl. The child was taken to a care home for babies but she was not admitted due to the Covid19 pandemic.
As a newborn and an orphan, Miriam was rejected by her family members because they were scared of the responsibility. However, one of her mother’s group members; Grace came to her rescue and volunteered to adopt her as her own. “During the meeting with the family, the probation officer asked if there was any relative willing to take care of Miriam. While everyone was scared of such responsibility. I volunteered to take care of the child because the mother was our group member in the CLA,” Grace, a mother of four explains.
The 32-year old member of Bedikwadu Self Help Group and Cluster Level Association living in Awach sub-county, Abim District adds that when Share an opportunity Uganda learned about her heroic act, she was trained on how to take care of the child, supported with capital to start up a retail shop, gave her psychosocial support and connected her to a Health Centre IV in case the baby got any health
issues.
“I thank Share an Opportunity Uganda for supporting me with a retail shop and training me on how to take care of the child. This has boosted Miriam’s livelihood and that of my children. I Plan on expanding the retail shop so that I can efficiently provide for the children.”
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