The women who have been so diligent in their training to be maternal-infant health promoters have begun to put their classroom knowledge into practice for their own people. They have begun to visit each women and infant in the communities they serve. They have begun to leave the comfort of their own homes and sometimes community to reach those who are the most isolated of a people group who is already marginalized. Even more than health promoters, they have become advocates for each woman and infant they serve. A voice for the voiceless.
It has not been pretty. Mothers and infants denied health care because they are not registered in the Costa Rican national registry, in spite of a Costa Rican law extending free healthcare to ALL pregnant women and children in the country (regardless of legal status). A four-month old who lost his mother to drowning because her foot became entrapped while crossing a river while the river was rising. A seriously ill 15 year-old pregnant woman from a distant community whose spouse and family would not help her get out to the clinic because they were too occupied with getting drunk. A pregnant woman who lost her baby at 7 months because her drunken spouse beat her - the fourth time this woman has lost a child in this way. A pregnant 13 year old, likely a victim of incest.
It has not been easy. Walking for hours and, at times, days to unknown jungle communities in the steep mountains and sometimes getting lost. Leaving their own children at home to serve others in need. Not being able to do their job because everyone in the house is drunk after a big party, including pregnant and nursing mothers. Spouses refusing to let their wives and children be seen, against their wives´ wishes. Mothers refusing to be seen because they have been told by jealous government health workers that the Puentes de Vida women will take away their babies if they find something wrong.
It has been good. A 16 year old first-time nursing mother of a newborn decides to stay home instead of going to a community party to drink. A mother and her 5 day old infant are helped to get out to the hospital so that the ill newborn can receive vital medical care. The same seriously ill 15 year old pregnant woman is helped to the hospital, in spite of her family´s refusal to help her. Several pregnant women in labor are helped to the clinic and hospital, so that they can deliver in safe, hygienic conditions, rather than alone in the jungle.
There is much to be learned, and there is much to be done, but we are thankful for each of the 6 indigenous women health advocates that are a part of Puentes de Vida. It is clear that each woman is compelled forward in her work by love - love for her own people and for God, as well as by God´s love for her.
Please pray for these women, as they have been faced with many challenges. Specifically please pray for the following:
- Some of these women are facing significant opposition as they bring light and life to the communities they are serving. Please pray they will keep their eyes on the author and perfecter of their faith, and that they would feel assured of God’s special calling on their lives.
- Wisdom for how to address some of the difficult issues we have come across - especially regarding health disparity due to discrimination and issues related to abuse.
- Continued favor with the Costa Rican Ministry of Health
- That Christ´s love would be made known to the Cabecar people through this program
- Continued financial provision for the program
