Thanks to an area nurse and other volunteers, the infant mortality rate in Tanzania may see a decline.
Karen Klemp is the founder of Hope 2 Others, an organization that brings training, birthing supplies and clothing to neonatal clinics in African countries. Karen spoke at the Waunakee Rotary meeting on Jan. 18 about the work the organization does.
Hope 2 Others has been to Tanzania, Guatemala, Jamaica, India and the Philippines. Karen first went to Tanzania when her son was in college and was invited. She returned there in 2008 and brought between seven and 10 bags of supplies.
While she was assisting in the birthing room, a baby was born with no heartbeat, and others there didn’t know what to do.
She began to help, using a bag and chest compressions to resuscitate the infant.
“Their eyes were popping out of their heads,” she said.
Karen said at that point, she began to pray, and everyone in the room did as well in all different languages.
She described it like a “choir of angels,” and through the window, a light shone in, and the infant began to cry.
Karen has always strongly believed in CPR, she said, adding that when her own daughter, now 35, was age 2, she nearly drowned and was resuscitated with the help of CPR.
After that day in Tanzania, Karen was invited back and since then, she and others have returned to teach midwives and bring supplies.
In Tanzania, the infant mortality rate is high, but if a child can survive past age 5, he or she stands a pretty good chance at reaching adulthood.
Some of the infant deaths are caused by hypothermia, and Hope 2 Others supplies infant hats to keep their body temperature warm.
Another leading cause of death for women worldwide is postpartum hemorrhaging. The Hope 2 Others organizations also trains measures to treat hemorrhaging.
The equipment they provide includes a stethoscope to listen to the baby’s heart and equipment to help babies breathe. The families receive baby soap, blankets, baby hats, booties or socks, a onesie, plastic pants or diaper wraps, cloth diapers and a teething toy.
One piece of equipment is a simulation birth pouch which demonstrates a birth to teach others. Last year, the organization trained 58 individuals and traveled to Zanzibar Island. While Hope 2 Others is a Christian faith-based organization, it has provided services to Muslim peoples.
The organization also ships containers to be transformed to birthing centers. The organization has a warehouse on Park Street in Madison with more than 9,000 square feet housing beds, incubators, exam tables and ultrasound, and equipment for x-rays, all donated by Meriter and Group Health.
Karen Klemp is the founder of Hope 2 Others, an organization that brings training, birthing supplies and clothing to neonatal clinics in African countries. Karen spoke at the Waunakee Rotary meeting on Jan. 18 about the work the organization does.
Hope 2 Others has been to Tanzania, Guatemala, Jamaica, India and the Philippines. Karen first went to Tanzania when her son was in college and was invited. She returned there in 2008 and brought between seven and 10 bags of supplies.
While she was assisting in the birthing room, a baby was born with no heartbeat, and others there didn’t know what to do.
She began to help, using a bag and chest compressions to resuscitate the infant.
“Their eyes were popping out of their heads,” she said.
Karen said at that point, she began to pray, and everyone in the room did as well in all different languages.
She described it like a “choir of angels,” and through the window, a light shone in, and the infant began to cry.
Karen has always strongly believed in CPR, she said, adding that when her own daughter, now 35, was age 2, she nearly drowned and was resuscitated with the help of CPR.
After that day in Tanzania, Karen was invited back and since then, she and others have returned to teach midwives and bring supplies.
In Tanzania, the infant mortality rate is high, but if a child can survive past age 5, he or she stands a pretty good chance at reaching adulthood.
Some of the infant deaths are caused by hypothermia, and Hope 2 Others supplies infant hats to keep their body temperature warm.
Another leading cause of death for women worldwide is postpartum hemorrhaging. The Hope 2 Others organizations also trains measures to treat hemorrhaging.
The equipment they provide includes a stethoscope to listen to the baby’s heart and equipment to help babies breathe. The families receive baby soap, blankets, baby hats, booties or socks, a onesie, plastic pants or diaper wraps, cloth diapers and a teething toy.
One piece of equipment is a simulation birth pouch which demonstrates a birth to teach others. Last year, the organization trained 58 individuals and traveled to Zanzibar Island. While Hope 2 Others is a Christian faith-based organization, it has provided services to Muslim peoples.
The organization also ships containers to be transformed to birthing centers. The organization has a warehouse on Park Street in Madison with more than 9,000 square feet housing beds, incubators, exam tables and ultrasound, and equipment for x-rays, all donated by Meriter and Group Health.
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Other news:
–Allision Feldbruegge is planning the next social at Drumlin Ridge Winery for February to be a Euchre card party.
–Linda Olson said the next Group 6 social could be a learn-to-curl event at the Lodi curling facility.
–Also, Linda said, a CPA is needed to volunteer time for the club’s books.
–Allision Feldbruegge is planning the next social at Drumlin Ridge Winery for February to be a Euchre card party.
–Linda Olson said the next Group 6 social could be a learn-to-curl event at the Lodi curling facility.
–Also, Linda said, a CPA is needed to volunteer time for the club’s books.
Guests: Tucker Smith, guest of Jim Schmitz; Karen Klemp, Rick Klemp and Jane Krogstad, guests of the club; Marco Silva and Roberta Silva, guests of Leonard Allen.
Visiting Rotarians: None
Birthdays: Jan. 26, Joseph Baer; Jan. 26, Jim Meyer; Jan. 26, Mark McFarland; Jan. 27, Pat Durden; Jan. 29, Gary Epping.
Anniversaries: None.
Greeters: Jan. 25, Rich Wipperfurth and Jim Ableidinger; Feb. 1, Peggy Acker-Farber and Leonard Allen; Bob Arntz and Joe Baer; Feb. 15, Ken Ballweg and Roberta Baumann.
