Aren't Babies Wonderful? Preparing for the birth of a baby should be a happy experience. In some countries, however, the day to day burden of providing for a growing family can be overwhelming. What if the baby is ill? How do we keep the baby warm? How do we feed another mouth?

When the newborn arrives it may be with the assistance of the local midwife -- if there is one in the area, and if the family will accept her assistance.

The midwife has the training and knowledge to handle the delivery but often does not have the very basic equipment, such as a clean cloth for the mother to lie on, a suitable instrument to cut the umbilical cord or a towel to dry and wrap the baby.

Then imagine a baby born at a hospital in your hometown....

A baby born in Africa, India or New Guinea has the same need to arrive in a well-prepared environment -- and the same need for a chance to survive as a baby born at a well-equipped suburban hospital in the United States.

Then how do we bridge the gap between abundance and nothing?

As friends of Global Health Ministries we are given the opportunity to serve in a very special way -- by providing much needed medical supplies and equipment to areas of the world that are less fortunate than we.

We have been challenged to provide "midwife kits" which GHM will send to the areas where they are needed so that the midwives and the new mothers may feel that they are not alone, that someone cares and that they can welcome the babies into a safer world.

Our reward: Their profound appreciation and the joy of serving the Lord and making a difference.

View/download a PDF version of this brochure.

Assembling the Kits

Please follow these directions carefully

ONE MIDWIFE KIT contains:
(Please use new or clean used items in good condition)

2 cord ties: 8" narrow lengths of selvage, 1/4" twill tape or heavy white knit/crochet cotton
1 razor blade (single-edge, safety-wrapped), may be purchased at a home improvement store
1 regular size bath towel
1 36" square muslin or sheeting
1 wash cloth (thin)
1 bath size bar Ivory soap
1 newborn stocking cap (keep hand-knit ones very small)
1 small cotton-blend or flannel shirt (to waist only as the babies do not wear diapers)
1 receiving blanket
1 pair plastic or latex gloves (clean, not sterile), NO kitchen gloves

Place the cord ties and razor blade inside a small Ziploc bag. Wrap everything inside the bath towel and insert into a 2-gallon Ziploc bag. Squeeze the air out of the bag before sealing it.

Shipping the Kits

10 to 15 kits to a box can be mailed or delivered to:

Global Health Ministries
7831 Hickory Street NE
Minneapolis, MN 55432

Helpful Hints and Money-Saving Ideas

The more you save, the more midwife kits you can make!

Cord ties: You can cut an abundance from a skein of heavy white cotton knit/crochet yarn.
Bath towel: Also check with local hotels about towels. Maybe they have some that are not "up to standard." Or look for bargains in discount stores.
Muslin or sheeting: Used sheets in good condition can be cut to size. Use remnants for bandages (see our Rolled Bandage Project page). Check with local hotels -- they may have sheets they can't use. Or get them from family, friends, garage sales, second-hand stores or put a note in your church bulletin.
Wash cloth: Some stores have bundles of 12 or 18 for around $5.
Stocking cap: Cut a strip of knit fabric lengthwise about 8" wide, fold in half, sew or serge. Cut the sewn strip into pieces about 8" long. Gather the top and fold the other end up.
Shirt: Sew from flannel. Or buy nice-looking light terry or knit sleepers at garage sales or second-hand stores. They are often in good shape since the babies grow out of them so fast, but they must be cut just above the crotch and hemmed.
Receiving blanket: The cheapest are probably the 5- or 6-pack available at some discount stores. But even better, you may find some almost new flannel sheets at a second-hand store. Cut them to size and serge or finish with a close zigzag around the edge.