Welcoming New Neighbors Who Never Had Health Care

A new family moved to my village about 2 years ago. Their names are Mattey and Pierre, and they had three children when they came here – two girls and a boy. The children’s names are Angelic, Gilbert and Didio. The family came from a remote farming area where they had no access to health care. They were very poor, so their children could not go to school and they could not afford to travel to a health facility when Mattey was pregnant or when one of the children was sick. Mattey gave birth to all three children at home, and they are lucky that she and children survived. Mattey told me she always had abdominal pain after she gave birth, but she never found out why.

I started visiting this family right away when they moved here and I worked to earn their trust. It made me sad to think how much they had struggled. I told them I was here to help.

Last year, Mattey discovered she was pregnant again. I talked a lot with her and Pierre about the importance of prenatal care while Mattey is pregnant and postnatal care after the baby is born. We have a trained birth attendant in our village, and I suggested that Mattey should use her services. I am so happy they followed my advice. Last month, Mattey gave birth to a healthy boy named Gnagnua. She is going back to the health center this month for postnatal care, and to get immunizations for Gnagnua. It makes me feel good to know I have helped to improve the health of this family. Mattey and Pierre realize now that health is priceless.