Helping Babies Breathe
Psalms 127:5 Children are a heritage of the Lord.
Psalms 127:5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them.
This may perhaps be the most impactful humanitarian work we are able to be a part of while here in Indonesia. A part of our churches worldwide major initatives focuses on neonatal resuscitation. Approximately 10% of babies born can't breathe. 1 million babies die each year from this. Neonatal resuscitation is 80-90% successful. In Indonesia 4.5 million babies are born/year. Currently about 3.8% or 170,000 babies die after delivery due to respiratory problems. With the proper training and equipment , that number can be reduced to 2% and 80,000 babies can be saved each year. So it is significant and exciting to be a part of a work that could mean such a difference in the lives of babies and their families.
Prior to the workshop beginning we had an opportunity to visit the pediatric ward of newborn babies at a local hospital. Some healthy....
Some not so healthy
The US Medical team. Dr Michael Visick and Dr Dennis Hughes
Demonstrating how to fill the mannquin's with water.
The beginning of the 'Helping Babies Breathe' workshop. Many births occur outside of hospitals in remote areas with the assistance of midwives. The first two days consisted of the US Medical team training the Indonesian doctors. Days 3-6 would be the Indonesian team (under the watchful eye of the US team) training 60 midwives.
Carolyn Leifter RN, the third member of the US team. An OB nurse from Utah. These wonderful people were like ministering angels. Traveling to far off places throughout the world , sacrificing their time, being away from their families and loved ones, sharing their gift of medical knowledge to help others. In the short time we had to spend with them we came to love them for the service, sacrifice and commitment they willingly offer. Wonderful choice people.
Dr Hughes demonstrating the techniques of warming the newborn baby to help them breathe. The training process centered around the "Golden Minute," the critical time frame where crucial action is required to save the life of the child or prevent permanent impairment due to lack of oxygen.
This picture shows the tenderness that was felt for a newborn, even though she has the mannequin, we can all feel her love as she learns how to save an infant. Their attitudes really reflect a lot of ours. When they would hear that I had 5 children and 6 grandchildren, they would tell me that I was a rich lady. So unlike many in our society today that feel that to have more than 1 or 2 children is such an inconvenience or a burden on the "earth".
The mannequins were very lifelike. They would be filled with warm water and could similate breathing and even crying. The church humanitarian services provided the training for 600 midwives and each will receive a helping babies breathe kit (each kit consists of a newborn simulator with umbilical cord, a ventilator, a squeeze bulb for clearing airways, and a stethoscope) so the mid wives would have the tools to practice long after the workshop and be enabled to share these resources with their colleagues. But most importantly have everything with them to help babies with respiratory problems to breathe.
Filling the mannequin's with warm water.
Time was devoted in several practice sessions using the kit until the mid wives were comfortable with the procedure. Final tests were administered and certificates were awarded at the end of the course.
The week before the workshop we were told that church HQ's would be sending a film crew to film the training. It sent us into panic mode to coordinate all the logistics of getting the film crew here (through customs with all their camera equipment), transportation, translators, hotels, and food. But in the end it came together. We know it was because a higher source is involved in this work!
They really enjoyed Carolyn, not only was she a sweet boleh, she was TALL! I think they were quite amazed by her! Here she is sitting and still almost even with them as they stand around her.
These three ladies are from the government Health department, watching what this Christian Church was going to be teaching? What are our motives? Why would we so freely offer such a gift? I think that they were quite pleased by what was done and were very willing to have me take their picture.
I love the headscarves called jilbabs, and the colorful material that they use. Liz Visick bought a scarf and they had a great time showing her how to wear it. They were so sweet, this is truly building bridges of love from one culture to another.
The US team, along with our two translators. Tony Santosa and Narendra Mondee. We experienced wonderful miracles throughout the week. Each day we would begin with a short devotional. On Friday, Tony, a recent convert of two years asked if he could share his thoughts at the devotional. He said the spirit of love and service he has experienced this past week had touched him greatly. Not since when he first joined the church has he been so uplifted. He wanted us all to know how grateful he was to be a part of this. As we have learned many times before and again this week. You come thinking you will help others, and realize you have been helped. It is a great work and all who are involved in serving the Savior are greatly touched in many ways.
Dr Visick US Medical team leader
Dr Eriyati Perinasia team leader
Graduation. For the US team it means going home after imparting some wonderful gifts. For the Indonesian team (Perinasia), it means continuing on for another 6 months to train another 540 mid wives. For us it means the opportunity to follow up with those trained and learn how this training has and will make a difference in saving the lives of newborn babies. We look forward to hearing the stories. Imagine an anxious mother and father bringing a child in to the world, with all the excitement, anticipation and joy, and the baby is born not breathing. But through this training the midwife is now prepared, confident and able to resuscitate the baby. A baby that may have died, will now live.
The gift of life!
This picture shows the tenderness that was felt for a newborn, even though she has the mannequin, we can all feel her love as she learns how to save an infant. Their attitudes really reflect a lot of ours. When they would hear that I had 5 children and 6 grandchildren, they would tell me that I was a rich lady. So unlike many in our society today that feel that to have more than 1 or 2 children is such an inconvenience or a burden on the "earth". 
They really enjoyed Carolyn, not only was she a sweet boleh, she was TALL! I think they were quite amazed by her! Here she is sitting and still almost even with them as they stand around her.
These three ladies are from the government Health department, watching what this Christian Church was going to be teaching? What are our motives? Why would we so freely offer such a gift? I think that they were quite pleased by what was done and were very willing to have me take their picture. 
Wow favorite story so far!
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