Kadiyatu almost died due to complications in childbirth. Thankfully this was during the time Dr. Gary Johnson was living in Tikonko and he was able to provide immediate medical care and transport her to the hospital in Bo. Like so many young women in Sierra Leone, Kadiyatu had no access to modern medical care and was dependent on the skills of the traditional birth attendants to provide for her during childbirth.
In 2018 Kadiyatu was expecting another child. RHCI had just opened the birth waiting home in Tikonko and because of her medical history, Kadiyatu became one of the first women to stay there. Under the supervision of our trained medical team and with access to the Community Health Center Kadiyatu gave birth to a son, Alhaji. This time without complications. A few days later she was able to return to her family in her home in the village of Nyama. 
In January of 2019 I was walking through the village of Nyama when our Outreach Coordinator, Mohamed Kabba, saw Kadiyatu standing outside her home with Alhaji in her arms. He looked at me with a sense of pride and a smile on his face and said, “She’s one of ours!” Kadiyatu was smiling too.
Lives like Kadiyatu’s are not saved by chance. They are saved because people have made an investment in the community. Everyday the staff of RHCI show up or work because they know they are making a difference, saving lives, and having a positive impact for the entire community.
As Mother’s Day approaches RHCI is offering you an opportunity to honor your mother by saving the life of another. Kadiyatu and all women everywhere ought to have access to the medical care they need during pregnancy. You can help us provide that care for the women for Sierra Leone.
Click here to donate and learn more about our Mother’s Day Fundraiser.
-Written by Neil Craigan, RHCI Board Member
