You may have seen the wonderful news that there is now a new maternity unit at the Central Hospital Rusayu, distinct from the general and surgery unit, allowing the amazing staff at the Hospital to serve even more vulnerable people in the area of North Kivu. You can read more about the new maternity unit in our blog post here. To help staff this new unit, the hospital has taken on a new doctor and midwife specially dedicated to this unit. We wanted to share with you a little about Adeline, the new midwife at CHR, some of her life story and how she has found the first few months of working at the hospital.Â
Adeline lives in Goma with her parents and says, “I chose to work at CHR because it is known for its commitment to quality care, even in challenging circumstances. I wanted to use my skills to serve a community that truly needs motivated and dedicated staff. Working here represents an opportunity for me to make a tangible contribution to maternal and neonatal health, to take on professional challenges, and to learn alongside an experienced team … My life before working at CH Rusayu was more difficult but also limited. I was motivated, with a desire to serve, especially in vulnerable areas. When the opportunity arose to work in Rusayu, I felt it was a calling; I knew it wouldn’t be easy, especially with the insecurity and precarious living conditions, but I wanted to make a difference. Today, despite the challenges, I thank God for the strength He gives to me every day.”
Adeline sent us some information on how her time has been at CHR so far.
How has the past year been for you?
“The past year has been a real challenge. The war made every day uncertain, between security threats and shortages of medical equipment.Â
Despite this, the hospital continued to support women through childbirth, often in precarious conditions, without always having the necessary resources.
Seeing courageous mothers give birth amidst fear gave immense strength.Â
The population is suffering greatly; displacement, lack of water, electricity, and access to healthcare. But we have also witnessed incredible solidarity, a profound faith that sustains each of us.Â
This year has taught me resilience, the importance of hope, and how every birth is a miracle and a victory over violence.”
What have been the best parts?
“- To accompany the birth of new babies, symbols of hope and life amidst the chaos.Â
– To see the solidarity between families and neighbours, helping each other despite fear and hardship.Â
– The strength of shared faith, which brings courage and comfort to many of us.Â
– The smiles of mothers and children when they regain some health.Â
– To see your (Comfort International’s) moral, spiritual, and material support which has enabled us to have essential equipment at CHR.Â
These moments show that, even in suffering, life goes on and hope is always alive.”
What have been the difficulties?
“- Lack of essential medical equipment (gloves, medicines, delivery equipment), making care very complicated.Â
– Constant insecurity: risky travel, threats of nearby fighting, fear for my safety and that of patients.Â
– Difficult access to health facilities for many women, especially displaced or isolated women.Â
– Exhausting working conditions: long hours, fatigue, and stress, facing a large influx of injured or sick patients.Â
– Shortages of water, electricity and medicines affecting the quality of care.Â
– Heavy emotional burden: witnessing suffering, losing lives, and managing fear on a daily basis.Â
These obstacles make the job very demanding, but the desire to help and faith remain my driving forces.”
Have you found your faith helps you cope with problems?
“Yes, my faith is an immense source of strength and comfort. When faced with problems, when I see suffering around me, it is my trust in God that sustains me.Â
It helps me to keep hope alive, to remain patient, and to persevere despite fatigue and difficulties. Prayer gives me inner peace and reminds me that every life I accompany is a miracle.Â
My faith also compels me to love, to serve with compassion, and to believe that there is a better future, even when everything seems bleak. Without it, I could not endure these trials.”
Adeline finishes by writing to her sponsor, “This year has been hard because of the war but your support has been a light in the darkness. Thanks to you, I was able to continue accompanying women through one of life’s most sacred moments: childbirth. Even when conditions are difficult, even when there is almost nothing, God manifests himself in every life saved, every new-born’s cry, every mother who finds her smile again.”
We are delighted that Adeline’s salary is being covered by a combination of dedicated sponsors who make sure that she can have a wage to look after herself while she carries out this vital work. However, there are still a number of hospital staff awaiting sponsorship and we would love to see all of the staff at CHR sponsored as soon as possible. To find out more about how you can sponsor today, visit our sponsorship portal.