Each year, nearly 1 million babies die the day they are born due to lack of birth assistance. On top of that, millions of children around the world die within their first year of life simply due to a lack of resources, delivery complications, and preventable diseases. Many babies living in poverty suffer from things like malnutrition because their families lack basic access to healthy foods and nutrients. This should not be happening.

I think back to my own first pregnancy with Lilly and her first year of life. I had a lot of concerns and worries… what kind of car seat to buy, learning about breastfeeding, natural birth plans, and so much more… I’m ashamed to admit that it never even crossed my mind whether or not my daughter would survive her first year of life.

I never thought about the fact that I could die during childbirth. I now am fully aware of and realize the privilege we’ve been afforded as a family simply because of the country where I gave birth and the socio-economic status my children were born into. To be quite honest, I hate that this is not every mother’s reality. And I want to do something, even if it’s just a small little something, about that reality.

The Compassion Survival Program was created with this simple yet important goal in mind: securing a child’s opportunity at life.

I have long supported Compassion International… I’ve seen firsthand the incredible work Compassion is doing. This organization is one that doesn’t just talk the talk, but they walk their walk, and they do it with integrity every step of the way.

But, the Compassion Survival Program can’t exist without your help. With your help, more pregnant mothers and babies can receive lifesaving assistance. Your gift helps mothers receive prenatal care, birth assistance with a certified attendant, and emotional, and spiritual support. We have a goal of raising $15,782 to help a church in the Sironko District of Uganda provide Survival care to mothers and babies in their community.

Your gift today will give hope to other mothers in desperate need and give their babies a chance to fulfill God’s plan for their lives.

I wanted to introduce you to and share with you the stories of three incredible women… incredible moms and their beautiful babies, who have overcome the odds through Compassion’s Survival Program. They were first introduced back in September on Compassion’s blog and we’ve been keeping up with their powerful stories.

Today, these moms and their babies are not only surviving, but thriving and flourishing. God is doing incredible things through their stories.

Let me introduce you to Rahuma, Kate, and Juliet.

(All of these stories and images are shared with full consent and permission)

Rahuma’s Story

Mama Rahuma and her precious baby girl, Faith, were given a second chance at life through the Compassion Survival Program. Rahuma and her baby nearly died in childbirth, but thanks to the wonderful staff at her Survival program, they are both happy and healthy. “I want her to have a sponsor. I worry about whether or not she will get one. If she did, I would not worry because my daughter would have someone to help us come out of this situation we are in.” 

Kate’s Story

Mama Kate was saved from the depths of depression and hopelessness through the Compassion Survival Program. Her husband had abandoned her and their two older children and she was struggling as a single mom. But over the last year, Kate’s had the opportunity to make friends, learn new skills, and grow in confidence.

“These days, I’m no longer sad and alone all the time. And if I ever do have a moment like that, Compassion seems to pop in and encourage me to go and study something at the center or have group time.”

Juliet’s Story

A few months into Juliet’s pregnancy, she was told she would lose her baby. Thankfully, Julie was registered into the Survival program and received the care she needed to have a healthy baby girl, Christine. The Survival Program covered all of their hospital expenses and they look forward to what God has planned for baby Christine — named after her grandmother. “On her birthday we bought a cake, we cut it and sang Happy Birthday to her. The Compassion project also bought her two dresses.” 

The story of these brave, capable, beautiful, smart, incredible, and powerful mamas’s and their little miracles in Uganda inspires me in my own journey of motherhood. They inspire me to advocate for not only my family and my children, but all the children around me… around us. For we are all God’s children.

What can I do within my own sphere of influence to impact God’s children here and around the world?

1 John 3

¹ What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are. But that’s also why the world doesn’t recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he’s up to.

^2-3 But friends, that’s exactly who we are: children of God. And that’s only the beginning. Who knows how we’ll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we’ll see him—and in seeing him, become like him. All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus’ life as a model for our own.

Sometimes it can feel really overwhelming when we think about all the ways people in the world are hurting and suffering… but that doesn’t give us an excuse to not to something. We can do something. Donate time, talent, resources… donate money. Advocate. Have important conversations with those around you. Use the platform you’ve been given to impact those around you (even if you’re not a blogger or content creator… YOU HAVE A PLATFORM! You can use it!)

And I challenge you to donate to the survival campaign and help a mama and her baby today… $3, $5, $10, $20. Any amount helps. Truly.

Be the change you wish to see.