“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” -Matthew 25:35

Torn from 10 years of civil war, Sierra Leone has one of the highest maternal death rates in the world:  one in eight women risk dying during pregnancy or childbirth. This is one of the highest maternal death rates in the world.

Thousands of women bleed to death after giving birth. Most die in their homes. Some die on the way to hospital; in taxis, on motorbikes or on foot. In Sierra Leone, less than half of deliveries are attended by a birth attendant and less than one in five are carried out in health facilities.

Out of these startling statistics came the idea for a maternity unit at UMC Kissy Hospital, Sierra Leone.  And this is why Kissy Hospital’s head midwife, Janet Miu, went out into the community and began to educate pregnant women and their traditional birth assistants.  Janet’s hard work and reputation in the community has helped grow the maternity ward from three patients at its opening to overflowing prenatal, delivering and new mother clinics.  This is a mission hospital and does not turn away those regardless of their ability to pay; therefore, donations are a crucial part of this ministry.

FMHPC’s Patrick and Rebecca Zirnheld have committed to mission work in Sierra Leone.  Patrick, a medical professional, has volunteered his time at the UMC Health Maternity Center in Kissy, Sierra Leone, and another trip is planned for the couple this winter.  While still in the U.S., their current focus is on raising funds for a maternal nutrition initiative ($10 feeds a mother for the entire week).  If you would like to donate or get involved in any way, simply put Sierra Leone in the subject line of your email to: pzirnhel@sbcglobal.net, or call Rebecca and Patrick at 317-202-0812.