Maternal Health in Rwanda

Imagine driving for hours down a bumpy rural track while in labour.

For many expectant mothers in the Mahama refugee camp, Rwanda, this was their reality. For many, sadly, it was a fatal reality.

At Save the Children, we believe all women and babies deserve the right to a safe birth, whatever their circumstances, so we set up a maternity unit within the camp and partnered with a drone delivery company so that vital medicine and supplies could be delivered in minutes by air.

Without our team of supporters, long-term projects like this simply would not be possible.

Shukuru is a Congolese mother who is pregnant with her sixth child. This pregnancy, and imminent birth, her first in Rwanda, are a world away from the previous five.

In DRC, Shukuru* had to walk for three hours along a dangerous road to get to a hospital to give birth. Accompanied by her sister, the pair travelled under cover of darkness, with Shukuru* experiencing contractions along the way: "It was very dangerous because of the security situation. I was afraid I would be killed or lose my baby" she says

Skukuru* and her family fled DRC due to the conflict and made it to the Mahama Refugee Camp.

Life today in Mahama looks very different. Shukuru* is due to give birth very soon - at our newly revamped Save the Children Medicalised Health Centre.

Shukuru is incredibly relieved that this child will be born in safety with medical help, and is grateful for the ante-natal care she’s received during her pregnancy: “Here in Rwanda, I feel good in my body, I also feel that the baby is growing well. That's the difference here with getting ready to give birth."

Midwife Anne (pictured here with Shukuru) says: "Because of the care she's received while pregnant, she has high expectations for her delivery. She's so ready you can't imagine!"