Saving Mothers is a non-profit organization committed to eliminating preventable maternal deaths and birth-related complications in low-resource settings. As a woman, this mission resonates deeply with me. It’s hard to believe that after nearly six years at Doximity, I finally took the leap and joined this trip.
From the moment I landed in Kenya, I knew this experience would be eye-opening. Passing through rural streets and small towns, I realized how rare it is to have an opportunity to immerse oneself in such a different culture.
My Role on the Trip
Like my colleagues, LaCher Thompson and Erin Mercer, who also volunteered with Saving Mothers in Kapenguria, I played a supporting role in the operating room and around the hospital. I assisted the circulating nurse by fetching surgical instruments, sterilizing tools, helping scrub in the surgeons, and conducting post-operative rounds in the wards.
What surprised me most was how much I learned about medicine. Lessons came in the operating room and in conversations over meals about the female body, the long-term effects of childbirth, surgical procedures, and the importance of maintaining a sterile environment. It made me feel like a real part of the medical team.
Lessons in Global Health
One of the most valuable takeaways from this trip was understanding the power of partnership in global health efforts.
The Importance of Hospital Collaboration for Sustainability
Saving Mothers has cultivated a strong relationship with Kapenguria Hospital. They have three full-time staff members on the ground, ensuring that the mission continues even when visiting teams are absent. This partnership is crucial for several reasons:
- Local Outreach: Success depends on getting the word out before these trips happen. Augustine, the Program Director, has found radio to be the most effective way to inform women about the services available.
- Post-Operative Care: Proper follow-up ensures that patients receive the care they need after surgery. Strong relationships with local nurses and doctors are essential for this.
- Continuous Learning: During the trip, the local staff help screen patients, scrub in for surgeries, and participate in patients’ next steps. The volunteers at Saving Mothers want to teach and help improve skills of the local doctors and nurses. There is a strong, trusting relationship between the local staff and Saving Mothers volunteers, which fosters an environment of collaboration and motivation. The stronger the relationship, the better empowered the local staff are to serve and support the women of Kapenguria.
Demonstrating the Broader Impact
While the women Saving Mothers assists cannot afford these procedures, the value of this work extends far beyond financial considerations. Hospitals in Kenya, like those in the U.S., depend on surgical revenue to sustain operations, making it critical to show the broader, long-term benefits of these efforts. Beyond restoring health and dignity to patients, these surgeries provide invaluable training opportunities for local medical staff, strengthen hospital capabilities, and reinforce trust in the healthcare system.
Thanks to new laws in Kenya, hospitals can now apply for financial reimbursement for free surgeries. On this trip alone, our 39 surgeries generated 2.9 million shillings (approximately $25,000) for the hospital—the first time this initiative has provided direct monetary value. This development further proves the impact of Saving Mothers’ work and encourages sustainability!
The sustainability factor is so important in global health work because the work should not start and end with a trip. The ultimate goal is to empower local healthcare providers to take care of the women more holistically and perform these surgeries independently, allowing the team to eventually shift focus to other areas in need. Achieving this takes years—sometimes even decades—but every step forward matters.
The Impact—For Them and For Me
In just 4.5 days, we completed 39 life-changing surgeries. But the transformation wasn’t one-sided—I, too, left changed.
I never anticipated how deeply this experience would affect me. It reignited a passion for advocating for and supporting women both in the U.S. and around the world. The women in Kapenguria are incredibly strong. They endure challenges that many of us can hardly fathom, fighting for their voices to be heard and for the opportunity to live comfortably.
Their gratitude was evident—in their words, in their eyes, in their resilience. And as much as we were there to help, I found myself wanting to thank them for their trust, their strength, and the privilege of hearing their stories.
This journey reinforced the power of compassion, connection, and commitment to a cause greater than oneself. And without a doubt, a piece of my heart will always remain with the women of Kapenguria.