Birth United Initiative! Help African Refugee Moms & Babies

Hello!

I am Adjoba Messam and I am a Doula and Maternal Wellness Advocate. I am also the Founder of "Sistaz In Sound", a grassroots group and member agency of the North Etobicoke Cluster. We provide music programming and social resources to Afrodiasporic Mothers in Rexdale and other Toronto neighborhoods.

I created the "Birth United" Initiative in July 2023 when I began volunteering to help homeless and pregnant African refugees that were sleeping in church basements, outside subway stations, and shelters. Since then, I have supported over 40 births across the Greater Toronto Area (including Mississauga, Brampton, Oshawa, Ajax).

These incredible and brave women hail from Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana and have come to Canada with the hope of a better way of life for themselves and their families despite the adversities they've faced post-migration.

My volunteer team includes a Nurse, a Psychotherapist, a Family Therapist, a Lawyer and Doulas like myself. They passionately ensure the well-being of these women and children despite the challenges faced while settling in Canada. Everyone deserves to feel safe and a sense of belonging, and we are a sisterhood of joy!

To date, we have been able to connect them to prenatal programs, medical care, social resources and have even hosted a community babyshower! My favourite part is being present to hold their hand while giving birth, of course!

We are asking for support in raising necessary funds in order to assist with acquiring carseats, strollers, baby supplies, winter clothes for mum & baby, and continued doula services for birth and postpartum care. Anything will help and as my Grandmother says "a lil' goes a long way".

In peace & joy,

Adjoba & The Children of "Birth United"