It is a New Day!

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To our amazing Birthing Better Babies supporters,

Just a small update on BBB and our Baseco family.

As you know  I have recently visited Baseco for a short time teaching and working with the local youth in the church. If you follow Pastor Mark Pedder and his blog, you will have heard of the new developments and strategic plans for the foreshore of Manila Bay extending around to their John 14:12 base in Baseco. This huge development means that within 5 years Baseco as it is will no longer exist. If you want to have a look at the development have a look at this YouTube video

https://youtu.be/CeGUojBnljs

The church fortunately is not a building, it is people. So the Church of Jesus Christ will continue but of course this will change things for not only John 14:12 but will extend to the Birthing Better Babies Programme.

Another thing to note is there is also a resurgence of Governement support towards Women and Babies, which is fantastic for the Nation, however this has an impact on the need for Sponsorship in Baseco and surrounding slums. We have seen a slow decline of requests for support as the government are now fulfilling this much needed role.

So after much prayer and deliberation we have decided to close down the BBB programme and concentrate efforts on building the people in the church, getting the children through school and University preparing them for the day they are independent.

Mark, Christine and I have been so blessed by your continued support over the past seven or so years. It has surpassed our wildest dreams. There have been close to 250 births and babies sponsored and supported by our Australian and overseas sponsors. This is a tremendous start for these babies. Just have a look at some of the faces and babies we have touched over the years!

The story does not end here though, there is still much to do in the meantime. BBB may be closing their doors after such a successful era, but there is still tremendous need in general support, and sponsorship of the kids in Baseco. There is a small amount of money left from BBB funds that we are still using to help Mothers and Babies that do come to us. No money is ever wasted. However do feel free to contact Ps Mark and Chris on their website to see the latest news and to support the church in this time of transition.

On a personal note Birthing Better Babies was such a fulfilling part of of my life. Yes I will miss it, I will miss travelling to Manila, I will miss the people I have met and the sweet ladies I have served in Baseco, also the Babies and their gorgeous newness. However I am not sad at all, but sense it is the end of an exciting era and time for a new thing.

I am excited for my brothers and sisters in Baseco and for my dear friends of nearly 20 years Mark and Chris.  God will certainly crystallise and refocus them in the new era, but I think that is a good thing not a bad thing. Clarification of what we should NOT be doing creates an opening for God to show us what we SHOULD be doing.

Thanks again to YOU,  our fantastic sponsors both young and old. From individuals to corporations, Birthing Better Babies thank you from our heart and on behalf of the Mothers and the Babies of Baseco we thank you as well. You have made a difference, and as I have always said, “How can we change the world? One birth at a time!” We certainly have!

Bless you all
Cathy Troup with (and on behalf of) Ps Mark and Christine Pedder.

New Era in BBB

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We are embarking on a new BBB journey!

We are excited to tell you that The Philippines Government has rolled out a new incentive that allows all mothers to deliver for free in Public Hospitals. This is a tremendous national improvement and will most definitely relieve the high infant and maternal mortality rates.

This is an exciting development for all Filipino mothers and babies. However it does change how BBB works. Jn 14:12 are now developing new strategies and direction as we move BBB forward in 2018.

Education remains our priority, our young girls and teenagers are still getting pregnant and leaving school and education prematurely. This culture needs to shift. At the moment good clear education and body awareness classes are the priority,  birthing expenses are less of an issue.  However pregnancy testing and ultrasounds are still an ongoing expense for our mums.

In April I am going back to Baseco and together with Chris and Mark will assess how we move forward and best help these mothers and babies through Birthing Better Babies. Our focus this trip will be education and information gathering to ascertain the real facts pertaining to birthing (what is free, and what is not, what do we need to succeed?)

Sponsorship could look very different in 2018.

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So stay tuned to new developments! We are excited change is always a good thing, it refocuses the old and gives birth (excuse the pun) to new things.

You are such a blessing to our mums, we know you will embrace this change and season of adaptation with excitement.

Pray for us for wisdom as we move forward.

Blessing always
Mark, Chris and Cathy

 

Unwanted Babies

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I am reminded again about the frailty of life in an urban slum.

This is a pretty sad story.

I am not going to post a picture

This poor woman is a victim, a victim of poverty and probably an abusive husband, she is trapped in her circumstance, she knows not what she does.

But to a Western mind it is good to be reminded, to be provoked to action.

ANALIZA’S STORY
Analiza is 42 years old this is her 8th pregnancy, unfortunately, only a few months before we found her she lost her 7th child 2 weeks after it was born.
She had terrible diabetes during her pregnancy (this birth as well) and she delivered at Mother and Child. The baby did not stop crying and was unwell, yet she checked herself out of hospital and this was a huge mistake.
In one week the baby developed a purple violet mark around its neck and it simply died during the night (no cold no temperature no laboring to breathe)
Once the baby got sick again and then died she was too scared to go back to the hospital, because they warned her not to go, and made her sign a waiver form.

She did not ask for help, she did not come to church, even though she knew the help was only around the corner, no-one knew that the baby died. She kept it secret and was very embarrassed.

The baby simply disappeared no funeral,  no grieving just silence.

 

Unfortunately, this kind of behavior although shocking is not unknown, the poor child was unwanted and I am guessing the mother was relieved it died. Sad shocking but true. She would have been under incredible pressure to come home from her husband and look after her other 6 chn…. so she discharged herself.

Now she is pregnant again, God help us, God help that child. we worked with her and really encouraged a ligation but I really do not think she understood, even in Tagalog. So so sad, unwanted and unloved babies. I cannot judge this woman, not really in my heart of hearts, we could never know the depths and desperation she feels.

I resolve to do what God tells me and educate as much as possible, especially our mothers.

I guess our only comfort as Christians is that child was known by God and treasured, it went to heaven to be loved and cherished.

Such a harsh world,

Mother Teresa understood.

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A Nation Leaning Into Change

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I was a little surprised but thrilled when I saw a  newspaper when I was in Manila in September this year.

The headlines were remarkable.

THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF NOT BREASTFEEDING
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From a country that allows Infant Formula advertisment to blazen boldly across their billboards and Televisions I was suitably impressed.

There were over 6 pages fully dedicated to Breasfeeding !

Also Philippine stars and VIPs supporting and advocating  breastfeeding both men and women!

Great links and advice, great images, even images showing breastfeeding TODDLERS.

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I know God has His eye on the Philippines and I am thrilled that He is stiring people even the famous ones to embrace truth, education and Him!

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There is a battle going on for the Children of this nation. I believe these are only prophetic steps in the right direction, it shows me that the Leaders and Influencers of the Nation are leaning into change, they also know it is up to them (Nationals) to bring true and lasting change NOT foreign missions and NGO’s the truth is change MUST eventually come from within.

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Am I doing myself out of a job? Absolutely

My desire is not to be needed.

Cath

Kids Making a Difference

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Sammy is only 5 going on 6 but is making a difference to the lives of 2 babies in the slum of Manila

She worked extremely hard making Chocolate Dipped Strawberries and sold them at a Fair in The Barossa Valley she raised enough for 2 births making a difference to 2 Mothers and Babies in The Philippines . Well done Sammy!

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Here are your 2 mums, one of them has had their baby and was sick in hospital so your sponsorship has blessed this family in a time of great need!

EVALYN CELEBRAN/ RADO

BACKGROUND
Evalyn lives in an area in Baseco called Gasungang. She has a partner husband who is a Labourer and they live with their Mother-In-Law.
She is 21 and this is her first baby

PREGNANCY AND BIRTH
She had a good pregnancy
All testing and scans good
Good birth

BABY
Baby boy Galvin was born on June 13th 2016
He was 9lb and healthy
He is having all immunisations
She breastfed the baby and now is working so the Mother-In-Law is caring for the baby so they are bottle and breastfeeding him.

 

MARY-JOY VILLAGONZALO/RELESO

BACKGROUND

Mary-Joy lives in a part of Baseco called Aplaya, this is very close to the sea and often floods, the area was recently underwater in a typhoon and the water was up to Pastora Marivic’s waist, when she visited the area the women were sitting on top of the rooves or on top of plastic boxes with their belongings in.

PREGNANCY AND BIRTH
As far as we know the pregnancy went well for Mary-Joy as we had limited conversation with her, but her pregnancy was fine.
This baby was actually born at Home (which is not ideal and not what we advocate but it does happen, but as soon as he was born they took him to the Baseco Health Centre who checked him and gave him injections and newborn screening. See Mark’s Blog for details HERE


BABY
Baby was born on the 4th June 2016
His name is Prince Kian
He was 9.8lb and very healthy
She was breastfeeding him
He then developed a serious Chest infection and was admitted into The Gat Andreas Hospital on the 29th of August with BPM (Bronchial Pneumonia)
We visited him in The Gat soon after that and he was getting better slowly.

 

The most important thing is that sponsorship allows these parents to buy medicine and travel to and fro to the hospital, that is extremely important as every single swab and injection costs in The Philippines. So without Sponsorship this baby and his family would have had a big struggle to pay.

Thanks Sammy for your sponsorship, you really really made a difference.
Love Aunty  Cath

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New Don Bosco Mums

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Here are some new mums from Don Bosco sponsored by The Koster family.

Mylene Cegundo is 32, she already has 1 child and she is 3 months pregnant, she is now on the BBB programme.

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Part of our BBB programme is education. In fact it is THE most powerful and life changing aspects of BBB. We have fpound that slowly as we talk and mentor and stand with our mums they are making better choices and planning for their babies. This year we are starting with the very basics in Don Bosco.

Eating healthy

Drinking lots of water

Germs and basic first aide

Choosing a hospital or Centre birth

Immunisations and Baby checkups

Contraception

Body Awareness/Avoiding Pregnancy

The Koster’s second birth is a very young lady in Don Bosco. Rose Ann Gunno is only 18 year old and this is her first baby. She is 3 months pregnant and her partner is a worker in Divisoria.

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We have so many teen pregnancies in Manila and the Philippines in fact the Philippines is one of the highest rates in the world for teen pregnancies. Something we aim to see reduced. We teach and focus on these aspects continually!

Thanks Kosters and pray for these ladies. It makes a difference. You already have made a difference!

Blessings

Cathy Mark and Chris.

New Life In Don Bosco

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We are excited to launch Birthing Better Babies in Don Bosco!

A generous donor has helped launch BBB in this very depressed area of Manila.

Don Bosco is a different world from Baseco, these residents are housed in huge 2 story buildings, no light no fresh air, animals it is often very depressing.

You can watch a video here of Ps Mark in Don Bosco,

Watch “Don Bosco Mark Pedder” on YouTube

But like everywhere people need Jesus, they need the fresh air of God and the good that follows His presence. BBB is one way we can breathe life on the women of Don Bosco.

Over the next few weeks we will be posting photos of new mum’s some very young, who we can love and pray for and speak life over. Light comes in many forms and Jesus said when he was sorting the sheep and the goats in Matthew

35 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, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

This is a practical way we can bless women and babies in Don Bosco and it works!

Stay tuned

Cathy Mark and Chris xx

Educate Educate Educate

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I often think about disasters in The Philippines….I have seen a BIG typhoon and the effects of them and frankly they are SCARY, imagine if you are heavily pregnant living through this ……so I think of our precious mums and their babies often…….

Facts are that babies are born early when disaster strikes, prem babies are common….but with some simple principles we can help educate our mum’s…this is a great article in Midwifery Today, simple but loads we can use! Kangaroo Care is simple but effective!

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Prematurity and Kangaroo Care during a Disaster

After Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda slammed into our central islands here in the Philippines last November, I saw a picture in the local paper of several newborn premature babies all wrapped in plastic bags and set on a counter in a broken-down chapel of a hospital. I knew in that instant that if only we could get down there to provide, and teach others to provide, good midwifery care, including the very simple and totally free concept of “kangaroo care” for the preemies, we could save many lives.

For many years, I have been teaching Disaster Preparedness and Response, which is no surprise since I live in a country with the most natural disasters of almost any…country. (The Philippines regularly is in the top three countries each year with the most natural disasters and the most deaths from natural disasters.) We have earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, mudslides, typhoons and super typhoons, and we have very little ability as a country to cope with, or mitigate, large-scale disasters, which was the case when the largest storm to ever make landfall occurred on November 8, 2013.

There are two things we know about disasters:

  1. Disasters tend to cause premature labors, due to the stress they put on pregnant women in the vicinity when the disaster strikes. This unfortunately creates a situation where premature births are happening under the worst of circumstances—during a typhoon, flood, blizzard, earthquake or an act of terrorism.
  2. Access to hospitals, NICUs and advanced medical care is often severely blocked, limited or totally destroyed in a natural or man-made disaster zone.

That’s the bad news.

The good news is that there are a few simple, easy solutions to this problem. It will require midwives all over the world, including in the US, to be prepared to address the problem of premature deliveries following any disaster.

Current best practice for prematurity, to prevent mortality and morbidity, dictates two things:

  1. We should try to prevent a baby being born with immature, under-developed lungs.
  2. We should care for any babies that are born premature with kangaroo care.

With regard to the first practice, at the recent Women Deliver Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, we learned about new protocols for the use of antenatal corticosteroids for threatened preterm birth. USAID is advocating that all midwives and doctors use these corticosteroids if premature delivery seems inevitable, as they cause a premature infant’s lungs to produce surfactant, thereby helping to prevent death from respiratory distress caused by immature lungs.

— Vicki Penwell
Excerpted from “Prematurity and Kangaroo Care during a Disaster,” Midwifery Today, Issue 111

 

 

 

“Illegal Abortions” Reality Check

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Over the past 5 years Ps Mark, Christine and I have seen various and shocking incedents of illegal abortions in Baseco, we have seen suspected failed abortions and babies have been born with extreme and sometimes life threatning disfigurements and sicknesses. We have met ladies unable to concieve probably due to botched abortions…. we have heard stories and grieved over this very thing.

This determines us once again to persist in BBB and make a change, give women and girls an option to control their fertility, educate them to understand their bodies and to help them to stay in school as long as possible. To help them understand God has a plan for them and a hope and future.

We are determined to make a change.

This video is excellent but is graffic in areas. But reality.

Ponder these things and they will make you want to make a difference

Cathy

Teen Pregnancy

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This is Melissa

She is 14

She has started a journey

She is hardly out of childhood

She has begun Motherhood before she knew her heart or mind

We need to look at her face and ask what can we do

We must build a fence

Not just an ambulance at the bottom

God help us

Help us give back childhood to this generation

Help us leave motherhood till later

They have time

She had time.

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In conjuntion with John 14:12 WWM Philippines