The Sangalala Project
The Sangalala project was born in August 2023, when Helen Layton (Co-Founder of the Reach Foundation) visited our partners, Pashello Charitable Trust, in Malawi. Helen was there to conduct a study that explored women's perceptions of pregnancy and antenatal care in a remote village in Chikwawa. During her time there, Helen was inspired by the women's courage, strength, and determination to access antenatal care despite their many barriers, such as long distances to health facilities, lack of transport, and lack of money for food and basic items needed to give birth safely. Most women in the village complete a 22 km round trip on foot in the extreme heat to attend antenatal care appointments and to give birth at a healthcare facility.
Birthing kit distribution, Malawi.
When the women are ready to give birth to their baby, they will only be allowed to enter the hospital if they have everything they need for the baby to be born safely. These items include a plastic sheet, a sterile razor blade, a basin, soap, cotton, gloves, and a wrap to place the baby in, keeping them warm and providing a way for the mother to carry the baby home safely. Many women can not afford these simple items and, therefore, have no option but to stay home rather than give birth with skilled birth attendants in a hospital. Staying home significantly increases the risk of complications and maternal/child death during pregnancy and childbirth.
How does the Sangalala Project Help?
The Sangalala project aims to help the women living in our project areas by providing simple birthing kits that support clean and safe childbirth.
Each birthing kit costs £10 and can save the lives of mothers and babies living in extreme poverty.
With our partners and your help, we can give more women the chance to have a clean and safe birth
Birthing kit distribution, Uganda.
Mothers and children celebrating in our Chibisala project, Malawi.