Key to safer births
Schools
Mercedes College students have donated their time to help expecting mothers in Third World countries.
More than 60 students in Years 10-12 assembled and packaged 200 birthing kits which will be distributed to pregnant women and maternal health care providers to enable a safe and clean birthing environment.
The birthing kits include gauze for cleaning baby and mother, a plastic sheet to avoid contact with unhygienic surfaces, soap for washing and removing germs, cord ties for cleanly tying the umbilical cord, a sterile blade to cut the umbilical cord and reduce risk of infection, and gloves to provide protection from infection.
Each year approximately 300,000 women and 2.5 million newborns die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. Most of these deaths occur in developing countries. Birthing Kit Foundation Australia works with approved organisations to distribute the kits to more than 20 countries.
“Our students are empowered to live the Mercy Keys,” said the school’s director of Mission, Deb Lubatti.
“Assembling birthing kits was an excellent way to demonstrate compassion, which is one of our core values at Mercedes College.
“We encourage students to be aware of and respond to the needs of others, not just those in our school community. In doing so, we can develop global citizens who make a positive difference in our world.”
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