It doesn’t look like much – a sheet of plastic, gloves, cord ties, a razor, gauze and some soap.
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But this simple kit, costing $3 in total to make, is saving the lives of women and babies across the world.
The Zonta Club of Albury-Wodonga held its annual birthing kits assembly day at the weekend, an initiative that has been ongoing on the Border for a decade.
President Joanne Metzger said 1000 kits were made thanks to fundraising and the efforts of project co-ordinator Sandra Raison.
“At the moment, we’re waiting to hear whether they’re going to Africa, Asia or the Pacific Islands,” she said.
“They could end up anywhere from Uganda to Afghanistan.
“We don’t send them anywhere, they have to go to clinics where people are trained to help women know how to use them.
“The idea of it is to help the birthing environment stay clean and lowers the chance of infection.”
Mrs Metzger said a report last year of the kits’ effectiveness found it had resulted in a 20 per cent to 29 per cent reduction in infection-related maternal deaths.
It also showed a cultural practice that was killing women had stopped – the vertical cutting of the umbilical cord once the baby was born to “let out the bad blood”.
“In a report from Afghanistan in 2009 of the impact of using 2500 kits, only one woman had died and no babies had died,” Mrs Metzger said.
“Statistically in the past, 44 to 118 women and over 100 babies died would have died.
“I think it’s amazing to be involved in a group of people where one idea from one club can become an international project which is helping save lives of women and babies worldwide.”
Kay Bennett, founding member of the Albury-Wodonga Zonta Club, said the project had grown massively.
“It’s something so practical, even though it’s very scary to think women around the world are giving birth on a dirt floor,” she said.
Mrs Bennett said in her 28 years involved in the club, she continued to be amazed by the passion of members.
“We have a voice with the UN and with organisations worldwide which means we get a chance to have our say on issues that are affecting women around the world.”
If you are interested in becoming a Zonta Club member, email: zontaalburywodonga@yahoo.com.au.
