Help pregnant mothers in West Africa

Help pregnant mothers have a place to give birth in West Africa.

My name is Odesa; I am raising money to build a clinic in Liberia, West Africa, in the village of Nimba County, for pregnant women to have a place to go for prenatal checkups and a safe place to give birth. The journey these women have to travel for just the minimum amount of support is dangerous. The newborns who lack the bare essentials to grow and develop cannot get that chance because the mother and or the child don't survive the trip. My mom was a midwife in Nimba County, where she helped these women give birth. She was a gifted, skilled, dedicated, and nurturing woman who used her gift to help others.

Although my mom wasn't formally schooled, there was a need, and through her love for people, she learned how to be a blessing. She was known in the village as "the mother for all." Her nurturing charisma brought many families joy, peace, and comfort. Unfortunately, she passed away in 2015 from the stress and demands that took their toll over the years. As much as she helped, there was still the unnecessary loss of life due to distance, lack of support, and just not having the bare essentials to offer the community. Now that she is gone, the village women don't have anyone to help them in childbirth, and the closest place they can go to have a baby is Monrovia, the capital, a four-hour drive from the village. This is a developing country; many people do not have transportation other than walking. The road is in bad condition and not safe, even for the few who may get a ride to Monrovia. My siblings and I wanted to continue our mother's dream of helping others. Currently, I live in Philadelphia, and because of the resources I have gained by working hard, I was able to help my sister complete nursing school and get the necessary skills that she needs to help these women. Our mother’s example has left an imprint in our hearts.

Because we know that it takes a village to raise a village, the six siblings have been putting every extra penny into making this a reality, and we have been able to purchase a small piece of land and hire workers to start the construction. The contributions from my family in Liberia are small, but the sacrifice they are making to help is enormous. We were able to get the building constructed and the roof installed before the rainy season, but our best efforts will not suffice. WE NEED HELP. We are from Nimba County, where the health center is being built; our late mother told us of her dream of one day being able to make something like this in her homeland to help those struggling and give them the hope that everyone deserves, knowing that someone cares about them and that they matter. Our mother consistently gave of herself; her passion and loving heart have become ours, so we honor her deeds and her memory by continuing the work she loved.