To our supporters, donators and followers,

This is an unprecedented time for the world. Coronavirus has changed the tides in how many companies, charities and institutions are conducting their operations. Our Teams scheduled trip to Tanzania this April has been postponed until further notice as COVID-19 has now entered Tanzania. We are keeping in close contact with our in-country team and wish them good health, safety and success until we return. We have been preparing a statement regarding donations and now seems even more appropriate to release it. Unfortunately we are announcing that Midwife Vision is no longer able to sustain the non-monetary donations, including medical equipment and also clothes, knitted or otherwise. Basically, the costs of freight of our last shipment cost over $10,000AUD in freight costs, tax and fees.

This means that the monetary donations we receive cannot keep up with the shipping for these items which is not fair on mothers and babies who require critical medical equipment like birth kits. In addition to this, the presence COVID-19 means the docks and harbours in Tanzania where our donations received are now closed and quarantined, meaning our equipment would not reach mothers and babies. This change will be in place for Midwife Vision for at least 18 months if not indefinitely. It’s a very sad day for Midwife Vision which started with the Knitters program and which was the hallmark of the “special touches” we provide in the care we give to mothers and babies. BUT, there is good news! There is an organisation in New Zealand called Little Sprouts who would be happy to receive these knitted donations (http://littlesproutsnz.org/).

In Australia the Knitting-and website lists charities in Australia that accept knitted donations (https://www.knitting-and.com/crafts-and-needlework/knitting/charities/).  Kogo also focus on Knitted goods in Australia for needy people (http://www.kogo.org.au/).

Of course we can’t be more grateful to knitters like yourself who have put your love, sweat and tears into such beautiful gifts for mothers and babies half a world away. To re-iterate, from now on Midwife Vision is only able to accept monetary donations. If you need more information on how to do this please do not hesitate to contact us, otherwise, best wishes and thanks again for your generosity and thoughtfulness.

Much love and healthy wishes from all of us at Midwife Vision Global

The mothers love the fuzzy little hats – thanks to Claire and her team in Motueka and my mum.

The ladies in NZ at Rangiora knitting, the Salvos, and so many others who I am ashamed to say I don’t know all your names – your generosity and gorgeous gear you knit and infuse with stiches of love is truly humbling and the mothers are just delighted to have the wee ones dressed so well and in such gorgeous wee outfits – you have all knitted such beautiful gear – its impossible to photograph them all as we are so immensely busy with deliveries.

Chase at her station weighting babies | Post resus care | and labelling etc. It’s hot here under the heater. 20-30 deliveries per shift or 80-100 per day.

This little guy was so covered in meconium that we decided to dress him green ! he was embarrased by the photo – he had a rough delivery but did well. Tiny wee thing he was but looked so adorable in his little outfit. Because of his green-tinged skin and his little green suit, Chase nicknamed him, “The Hulk.”

Four boxes of knitted beanies arrived from the amazing Knitters of NZ from these areas – Rangiora, Oxford, Christchurch and Amberely –  they arrived beautifully presented.

Shona At Rangiora Library Knitting – Thank you Shona
Bevan from Oxford NZ – a true star at knitting Thankyou
Annette from Eyrewell – knitting up a storm

Genesis Group in Adelaide
380 pieces of beautifully lovingly knitted babies wool beanies & cardies – Thankyou to Alan and Joan for organising all of this – gifts of true generosity.

MOTUEKA NZ LADIES KNITTING GROUP – THEY HAIL FROM ALL OVER AND WE HAD OVER 500 BEANIES …WONDERFUL GENEROSITY

I know the mothers of Tanzania will love these little fluffy bits and pom poms – they love pom poms !

There are so many more I need to mention, Doctor Heather ( also a Captain |Pilot), Sandra’s Mum, Cherie’s Aunty & the Genesis Group from Adelaide, Davids Mum Yvonne for the cutest little beanies, Maroochydore Salvo’s, Caloundra Salvo’s my fellow Midwifes at Sunshine Coast, Aunty Glenny for the adorable wee beanies and of course Mum.

The following are the people, associations, foundations, businesses, families and medical professionals that donated to the Tanzania Hospital, Amana Hospital, that Jan Becker travelled to. These donations were received by the hospital, the mother and the babies of Dar es Salam, Tanzania. Each section highlights what was donated and by whom. Please take your time to peruse at generosity of these people.

Rangiora

Kindly donated:

• 36 knitted beanies
• 12 knitted Beanie Mitton sets

Much thanks to all that helped out, including:

• Judith Chapman
• Mary Busch
• Mary Jarden
• Bevan Dunlop
• Margaret O’Callahan

Yvonne (David’s Mum) and Coral

Kindly donated:

• 42 knitted beanies

Janelle and Ward 1A

Kindly donated:

• 14 knitted beanies
• 10 Feeding tubes

North Canterbury News | NZ | Knitters

What a fabulous article in the North Canterbury News from our fabulous Knitters in Rangiora…where is that you might ask. Ill post it on this site as soon as I figure out how!

Meanwhile try this link http://issuu.com/thestar/docs/914198tn  Go ot page 18

Rangiora, largest town in the District of Waimakariri in North Canterbury, New Zealand.

Rangiora is a vibrant town of 13,500 residents, 20 minutes by car to the north of the City of Christchurch and its International Airport.

Founded in 1878 Rangiora services a prosperous farming district.

Rangiora offers the tranquillity and quality of life that comes with a semi rural setting with a strong sense of community.

Check it out and maybe even drop in for coffee ! http://www.visitwaimakariri.co.nz/new-zealand/Rangiora/

Here are some cafes you should definitely drop in and visit..

http://www.visitwaimakariri.co.nz/new-zealand/product/?product=the-good-street-deli

Small in size but big in reputation, we are renowned for great food, excellent fair-trade organic coffee and our lovely service! All our cafe food is made daily by our chefs and tastes as wonderful as it looks! Gluten-free and vegetarian diets are well-catered for.

We also have a great range of fine gourmet products from New Zealand and abroad.

http://www.visitwaimakariri.co.nz/new-zealand/product/?product=continetal-bakery

Like the icing on the cake or cream in the bun, our lovely Continental Bakery Team serves you seven days a week, with a generous smile. Located on Percival Street opposite Rangiora’s Victoria Park, our bakery is the perfect stop for lunch and a treat the family while enjoying this beautiful park, complete with children’s playground.

Our excellent, traditional “Kiwi” bakery items with sandwiches, slices, salads and fabulous gourmet pies can also be enjoyed in our seated area, along with great espresso coffee.

A range of speciality hot breads are available for every occasion. Why not stop off around 9.00am on the weekend for crunchy topped loaves, French style breads, cheese twists and delightfully shaped rolls made with wild yeasts. These are a real treat. Baker Wayne Rewi is available most weekend mornings to talk through the delicious range and help you understand how to select and enjoy the best of his freshly baked goods.

[/slide][slide name=”Helen Cruze (Midwife 1A)”]

Helen Cruze (Midwife 1A)

Kindly donated:

• 12 singlets
• 2 onsies
• 2 pants
• 4 socks

Barbara Maminski (Midwife 1A)

Kindly donated:

• 2 singlets
• 1 onsie
• 8 knitted beanies
• 3 leggings

Robin and Liz

Kindly donated:

• 10 knitted beanies

Annette (Mum)

Kindly donated:

• 21 knitted beanies

Aunty Glenny

Kindly donated:

• 22 knitted beanies

Jeanette

Kindly donated:

• 8 knitted matching jacket and bootie sets

Tiz and Kim Jorgensen

Kindly donated:

• 18 cotton beanies

Anonymous from Brisbane

Kindly donated:

• 73 booties

BB and David

Kindly donated:

• 20 cotton beanies

Angie and Wendy (Cleaners)

Kindly donated:

• 1 beanie
• 1 Knitted Jacket
• 2 Rugs

BDO’s Kasey and Zoey

Kindly donated:

• 4 booties
• 1 knitted beanie
• 1 cotton beanie

Lily (Captain Buck’s Wife)

Kindly donated:

• 7 knitted baby socks (sleeping bags)

Granny Helen and Micheala

Kindly donated:

• 21 knitted beanies

Cherie’s Aunty

Kindly donated:

• 22 beanies

Susie – Sandra’s Daughter in Law

Kindly donated:

• 16 singlets
• 10 rugs

Candice and Family

Kindly donated:

• 21 singlets
• 28 socks
• 13 booties
• 1 knitted beanie
• 2 cotton beanies
• 6 mittons

Doctor Heather Parker

Kindly donated:

• 5 Knitted Beanies

The Salvation Army Family Stores, Maroochydore and Coolum

Kindly donated:

• 21 singlets
• 17 socks
• 3 booties
• 10 knitted beanies
• 49 cotton beanies

Thanks to the Salvation Army Family Stores, in particular:

• Sue Culling (Maroochydore)
• Garry Kirkland (Maroochydore)
• Isabelle Hines (Coolum)

 ANNA & RICHARD | PARIS

Anna & Richard donated Euro 500 which converted to AUD $724.22

With those funds I purchased

• 30 Amps Gentamiacin IV
• 10 Tubes Chlorsig  Eye ointment
• 10 Digital thermometers
• 6 automatic blood pressure machines
• 2 Accucheck blood sugar machine and strips
• 10 packs of masks
• 10 packs of gloves
• 400 mediswabs
• 4 packs of gauze

Becker Helicopters

• 4 Laerdals Neonatal Resuscitation Simulators | Includes Baby, Resus bags, simulation equipment to simulate heart rate, breathing for emergency resuscitation training
• 2 Neonatal Resuscitation Ambi bags
• 2 New Born Suction Bulbs
• Full Save Babies Lives model kit
• Box of Helping Babies Breath Laerdal and World Health Organisation Charts and Brochures in English and Swahili

Becker Helicopters also sought out some bargains thanks to some generous sellers, and purchased a range of clothes, including:

• 88 Mittons
• 133 Singlets
• 101 socks
• 2 booties
• 197 cotton beanies

Midwife 1A | Jaquie Durose

Kindly donated:

• 1 manual and 1 automatic blood pressure machine
• 3 digital thermometers
• 1 stethoscope
• Jacquie refreshed my skills in perineal suturing – she showed me the Flemming method

MIDWIFE 1A  | VICKY CHAN

Kindly donated:

• Assorted bandages and maternity sponges
• 4 birthing kits
• 2 packs of gloves
• Assorted baby clothes, including:
• • 26 singlets
  • 34 onsies
  • 12 pants
  • 7 bibs
  • 1 blanket
  • 12 socks
  • 9 booties

7-Day Coolum Doctors

Kindly donated:

• 6 x Accucheck BSL
• 3 x boxes of 25 Winged infusion sets
• 3 x manual blood pressure cuffs
• 2 x pediatric cuffs
• 2 x torneques
• 3 x stethoscopes
• Arranged for us to be able to purchase the Fetal Dopplers x 2

When a baby is first born its head is wet and during resuscitation we always popped that on whilst we administered emergency life support. The wool blend or wool for the little heads is really a luxury and one that we appreciate if it’s in the budget.

I will also get some crochet patterns from Yvonne & her friend Coral, who made some really great fitting beanies as well, in the lovely soft baby colours.

Most popular colours were the traditional Pink and Blue- so it’s the entire world over isn’t for young mums.

Green and brown was the least well received colours – now when I say this the mothers were so grateful and incredibly humbled by the gifts of love that had come from Australia and NZ

The vibrant hot pinks and hot blue were very popular as well. The thing they all wanted and we had so few were pom poms.

Great knitting effort – Beanies for new borns

Mum recommends (and updates from Yvonne Austen for the Aussies)

4 ply wool (Needle size 9) | 3.25 Needle for Aussies

8 ply wool (Needle size 8) | 4 Needle for Aussies

Note from Yvonne:

I found it better to knit them on 2 needles instead of the 4 needles. I used the same patterns.  I am working on some for your next trip as well seen you liked the crochet ones i will endeavour to do more this time and it is a great pleasure to be helping other people.

Favourites

Wool blends most snugly – Pink & Blue are the favorite colours

A wool blend is best for the babies and they seemed to fit better.  However the acrylic was also really well received – they seemed to have some funky colours.

They loved pom poms – don’t make them – go to your local Dollar shop or craft shop and get a bag of them to sew on.

Tanzania – I wanted to give an update again only one day to go!

I feel like Chase & I have lived a lifetime in 20 days.

There have been many hilarious moments – so many laughs and tears and a wonderfully fulfilling bucket list moments – followed by moments of sheer desperation, sadness and despair that we do so little – does it make a difference???

But then enter “Lucky” a baby involved in a full resuscitation, this baby was the 23^rd to be delivered and it was only 1140 am! Mother had long labour – first baby – long second stage (the part where you push the baby out) and baby was born stunned and unhappy! We rescued this little tacker – his heart rate was 40 and falling – and with compressions and Positive pressure ventilation that little guy was a champion.

We had 29 deliveries by 1140 am (since 8 am) and we had no foetal or maternal deaths that day. Chase and I were almost on a high – it was such a great day.

This is lucky dressed in your blanket Angie and Wendy –
your hat Barbara (1 A) and he was happy!!! Hell of a first hour of life!

These little socks went all the way up his legs- he was full of life

How cute is this guy – he was born to a young frightened mum who was adorable and he was a wee cutie pie – only small but what a personality. These little socks went all the way up his legs- he was full of life
This little guy was is so skinny, pre term and this little guy was growing …..slwoly …..but they are nursed through what they call Kangaroo care-
An Australian care plan – these little babies are nursed close to their mothers they believe the warmth embrace and breath fed- its quite beautiful…

Little babies are nursed close to their mothers

New born babies sharing two to a cot

These babies getting IV Antibiotics and IV glucose

Chase counting out the heart rate

for a baby we had performed a full resuscitation.

Chase was the baby catching nurse – Chase set up the delivery kits draw up the oxytocins ( a drug that helps to stop bleeding) and all the equipment required – she then does the full assessment – Chase weighed them, did their observations Temperature Heart rate | weight and general well being – meanwhile 8 more babies per hour being born…..
It was funny I was doing a delivery and asking a midwife to see to the women next door ( a bed next to me – to check her) and I’m calling out “Chasey – baby “ which was code for another little tacker coming – she’d have to leave her little gaggle of babies on the baby bench & come across – as I was calling ‘I’d hear across the delivery room – Chasey come – we have baby ….it was a very proud and quite emotional moment for me …I was so proud of Chase- it’s been very Raw for an 18 years old…..

Today is July 3rd…..By 1140 is July 2nd they had 107 deliveries in July since midnight July 1st……
I have seen things here that I would wait a whole career to manage back home.

This is lucky’s mum – she was so wonderful – I gave her a big hug and she cried and said Assante sana – thank you very much ( in Tanzanian) over and over.
I wasn’t at his delivery – I was at another delivery on the bed over – but this little guy he had the cord tight around his neck – born very poorly – this was the baby who had a failing heart rate of 40 when I was involved in his resuscitation – in case you are wondering the midwife took over my delivery whilst I took over Lucky’s resuscitation ……

Angie and Wendy your wrap on this little guy

and two hats cos he was cold – plus the singlets Barbara & little socks …

Chase in postnatal ward giving out the knitted beanies and baby gear!

How cute does this little guy look!!

This is labour ward – no power – no lights – no oxygen – no suction
power cuts are common place !!!

Another cutie pie
power cuts are common place !!!

Well I’ll leave it here – I have so many tales to tell – but I am tired and wanted to get these photos to you all.
Today Becker Helicopters bought $6,500 of hospital equipment at some out of the way shop in Dar es Salaam – delivered Monday – came to $10 million shillings – Delivery beds, foetal Doppler’s, stethoscope, ambu bags for resuscitation – suction catheters, Oxygen tubing, digital skin no touch; thermometers, 20 pairs of scissors – 20 pats of suturing forceps ( they give you better control when suturing), Automatics BP machines, IV poles, Cord clamps, kidney dishes, fetoscopes, etc.

Assaante Sana to Mark from Work then World who helped us buy all this equipment and Joseph who drove us around.

From Tanzania  Jan and Chase X

Beanies are given out…

Thursday, 26 June 2014

I wanted you all to know we gave out the beanies today (some of them and the baby socks) it was such a moving and beautiful (mnzori in Swahili) privilege and the mothers were so grateful and so humble – they have so little it was received with tears, laughter ….lots of hugs and mostly of all the joy on their faces when they showed us the wee babies.

We have Swahili lessons three nights a week, which is hilarious, but a must to really immerse yourself in the language, which is to know a people, they are wonderfully generous of spirit and we have had some laughs.

Mothers all in labour waiting for a bed

Chase is with me on labour ward… It’s a room with 8 delivery beds plus two observational beds or high risk beds.
There is an antenatal pre-labour ward which is effectively a booking place and you assess the patient – start a partogram (special chart for labour and delivery) – it’s a very busy ward.

Post Resus…Good outcome…

There are 80-120 babies born every day, which I know defies belief but its true – the mothers travel far and wide.

The sisters on the ward – Midwifes – they are highly skilled and care for a great deal of women every day and see every imaginable pregnancy outcome, and they have full days. There is no tea room or break room , because they never have a break on shift – there are few lulls in the constant stream of mothers.

So day One – we arrive at the hospital – change into scrubs – get our ID badges – go to the ward – and the sister comes in to greet us and says please come we will show you orientation later….. We are busy – please bring your gloves. We  walked into the labour ward and I was immediately involved in a delivery.

There is no tea room or break room , because they never have a break on shift – there are few lulls in the constant stream of mothers.

Beanies and Baby Socks

The midwifes are incredible and they deal with many many difficult cases – there is a ward round twice a day during the morning shift and about 2.30 – 3.00 pm – decisions are made on progress.

Communications can be a challenge with broken English and Swahili all mixed in together – –  my Swahili is limited to words like Push = Sakuma….stop ( acha) , breath good  relax, darling, beautiful baby, sorry, slowly slowly – etc etc.

But let me tell you all the best part of today…

Mother and healthy new born baby

The popular beanies – these ones from Kayla and Granny Helen

So the baby’s beanies and baby sox’s…..I am not sure I can convey in words the generosity and love you all gave in your gifts of money, equipment – baby clothes, knitted beanies, it was a beautiful and very moving privilege today  – they soaked up today the love and Golden strands of love infused into every stitch knitted or crocheted for them….the mothers…. – given by you all as total strangers 1000’s of miles away – each stitch infused with love and these gifts for me were just a breath away from being one of the moments in one’s life when you are glad your own dreams came true – that I have a profession that allows me to connect to my fellow midwifes a world away from home – being a helicopter pilot – pure freedom and professional growth – and our business which is a sum of stunning people who work within its whole mechanism ….without the success of so many of our team in making the company what it is today – I would have been able to be here …

Bucks wife Lilly – and her baby socks  a big big hit ….they loved them so will have to get the pattern specs – with one of my mother’s whom I delivered her baby.

One thing I bought that Becker Helicopters donated was educational material in Swahili and resus babies for practise, booklets.

It was amazing as we went through the golden minute – the babies first minute of life – and it’s a helping baby’s breath program to assist health care workers ….the charge sister ( they still call them that here)  she ran a teaching session with all her staff during the lull we had that day – …the posters were placed on the walls, student were trained during the day by their tutors…I was very moved and proud to have provided this training material all from a USA sponsored initiative and was so involved in the teaching of these students because there are so many resus everyday. I got involved with the teaching and created such a buzz with the words

The Golden Minute -it is now a passion of mine to teach this Helping Babies Breath program (HBB) – I will be returning in October to do more teaching.

Chase with new born baby

Golden minute – the babies first minute of life –
and it’s a helping baby’s breath program to assist health care workers

Its back to our roots as midwives – when it matters what we have as core skills and core anchors in our profession…..to be able to pass that torch to the next generation of midwifes.

….anyway I must away….internet is woeful here – staying at a local hotel on weekend to catch up on work back home and hope to get this email out before then but they don’t have hotspot or free Wi-Fi here.

With Much love and heartfelt thanks,
Jan & Chase
(Dar es Salaam,Tanzania)

Dearest Colleagues | Staff | Family | and Chase Tanzania trip update – only 9 days to go before we leave.

Chase sits her final semester University exam the day we leave so she is focused right now on study. Equipment update: I am trying to get as much single use disposable medical equipment from GP’s | Doctors surgeries | Hospitals as Tanzania Amana Hospital can use as much equipment as possible.

Coolum 7 day Medical Practice have been the first to come to the fore with manual BP machines – something that is almost a dying art. The Coolum 7 days Surgery has them store away so they might as well make a difference somewhere in the world. I have my pinnards which is manual device used to listen to babies heart rates – I used to use in PNG 100 years ago – have dusted it off !! I have also ordered from Coolum 7 day two Doppler’s small manual Fetal Heart rate monitors for the Hospital to keep.

Sunshine Coast Private Hospital Maternity Unit Health | Ward 1 A (Uniting Health) have also donated some little baby clothes and we are trying to gather as much single use equipment as we can.

Becker Helicopters have also donated some medical equipment, some of which is for teaching and training over there. One is a baby model for teaching neonatal resuscitation– they have a training program in the hospital but don’t have enough baby models to teach. So Becker Helicopters are donating the little models that are sold at a very reduced price to countries that are part of the

United Nations Millennium goals. It’s great to see large companies getting behind the lack of resources. http://www.laerdalglobalhealth.com/ Chase & I have to take our own gloves if we want to wear gloves for any procedures and deliveries.

Thanks to Peregian Springs Medical Practise and Coolum 7 day medical practise we have been immunized for Rabies, Cholera, Typhoid, Hep A & B, Tetanus, Yellow Fever, etc etc We are partially packed with all the extra equipment we are taking for the hospital. Beanies update: My mum has sent off her knitted beanies from NZ, Aunty Glenny is still knitting (Go Aunty Glenny) and Granny going well with Kayla lagging behind (Chase sister)

Will have photos of these wee babies wearing these gifts of love. What a fabulous response ……it’s overwhelming | Thankyou ….

Chase & I have been hand washing and drying all, the booties and hats and singlet to make sure they are all fresh and clean. Just gorgeous detail in some of the little wee hats….. I cannot thank you all enough. How privileged to be part of something that is so infused with love for these little babies.

I take my hat off to you all cos I can’t knit to save myself. See below Perry’s mum has some great photos of all these women knitting away …..it brings tears to your eyes such generosity of time, energy, wool and love

Just sent the courier parcel and this morning took a photo of Judith Chapman ( on the right in the red- she was the one who organised the knitters) and Mary Busch.

They were the only ones who could turn up for the photo at the RSA. Only a few of the beanies on the table the rest still in the box. The 62 were knitted in 4 days and the man in the wheelchair from Oxford had done 22 of them!!!!!!! NZ Couriers take the consignment to Auckland today.

We have done all the Custom forms and sent with the box. Fedex Auckland receive the consignment and send it on to Backers. Don’t have consignment number but could get if required. Love Dad and Mum.

Keep sending the babies beanies, email me to pick up any equipment etc and I’ll be right along. Post beanies to

Attention: Capt. Jan Becker

PO BOX 9165

Pacific Paradise

QLD 4564 AUSTRALIA

If you want to be removed from the email updates I won’t be offended- just put remove on the subject line Hospital in Tanzania The new maternity Block – perhaps I should take a pot of paint to brighten it up a bit!

Jan