Special By Colton Strader, Lyon College
Dr. Rebecca Le, Lyon College’s director of nursing education, has embarked on a mission that transcends borders and brings hope to the most vulnerable corners of the world. Through her birthing kits initiative, she has been instrumental in providing essential supplies for clean childbirth to impoverished areas with little to no resources for infant care.
Le’s journey into birthing kits began with a childhood promise to aid those in need. Inspired by a TV commercial depicting the struggles of a sick baby in Africa, she committed herself to helping as a nurse. With a background in labor and delivery nursing, global missions, and a doctorate dissertation focused on orphanages, Le’s passion for the well-being of vulnerable mothers and children has been unwavering.
“As a matter of fact, I did my doctoral dissertation at orphanages in Uganda. My heart has always and will always be with the most vulnerable mothers and children in our world. As my kids began to grow more independent, I needed a hobby,” said Le.
The spark for the birthing kits project ignited when she saw Tayler Jacques making birthing kits for Haiti on Facebook. Intrigued, she reached out, learned the process, and immediately set to work. The birthing kits consist of crucial supplies; maternity pads, baby onesies, hats, blankets, cloth diapers, stuffed animals, soap, gloves, bulb syringes, scalpels, and cord clamps, a comprehensive set aimed at ensuring a clean and safe birthing environment.
“I found evidence to support the mission as clean birthing kits save lives. When women do not have access to a birthing facility, they will use supplies that are available to cut the umbilical cord. This leads to infection and death of the mother and child. Additionally, the child can aspirate without proper suctioning of the nose and mouth,” said Le.
Operating from her garage, Le started gathering donations and marketing the project. Her parents, Drs. Sherry and Randy Thompson, played a vital role, committing to buy soap and meticulously cleaning donated onesies. Additional support poured in from The Cottage Pregnancy Resource Center.
As the project gained momentum, the community responded with enthusiasm. The Lyon College community, in particular, has rallied behind Le’s cause, with students, faculty, and staff contributing to the initiative. In response to the growing efforts, Le remarked, “This article alone signifies a growing awareness and support for mothers and babies who often lack a voice.”
“When Becky mentioned her project during a conversation over lunch at the cafeteria, lots of us were awed,” said Dr. Irosha Nawarathne, associate professor of biology at Lyon College and contributor to the birthing kits. “I never thought of helping someone in need with a clean birthing process before that moment, and it made so much sense to help one in need in that capacity because you are saving two or more lives with very little resources.”
The success of the birthing kits project is measured in the tangible impact it has had worldwide. Le has distributed 600 kits to various regions, including Iganga, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Togo, The Batwa Tribe, and Accra Ghana. Working with missionaries and organizations, she ensures that these kits reach the most remote and impoverished areas where women lack access to proper birthing facilities.
The birthing kits project has evolved beyond geographical boundaries, with Dress a Girl in southwest Missouri partnering to include handmade dresses and shorts with the kits. Le’s vision is clear, targeting the most rural and impoverished areas where women have no access to birth attendants and providing them with the tools they need to save lives.
“I think the birthing kits are a great way to support communities who do not have access to the bare necessities to help care for their newborns,” said Dr. Maryline Jones, associate professor of biology and a kits contributor. “It does not take much for us to help make them. I was able to give away my children’s onesies and hats which were practically new, and it makes a huge difference in the health of those babies. It can be a matter of life or death.”
While the project has flourished, challenges have surfaced. Funding for shipping across the United States became a hurdle, leading Le to explore new avenues for support. Her call for donations, especially baby blankets, cloth diapers, cord clamps, scalpels, and gloves, is a plea for continued assistance in sustaining this impactful initiative.
The impact of the birthing kits project is not only seen in the lives it saves but also in the support and reflections of the community. Dr. Cassia Oliveira, assistant dean of faculty and professor of biology, underscores the fundamental human right to be born in a safe and clean environment. She expresses pride in Le’s impactful work, bridging communities and bringing hope to mothers across the globe.
“That’s why Dr. Becky Le’s work is so powerful and relevant. I am so proud to have her as a colleague. Sometimes, a community represents people in our backyard; other times, they are people across the globe. From mother to mother, I hope the birthing kits will bring a smile to those mothers’ faces and the heart-warm feeling that people care.”
Le welcomes individuals and organizations to join her in this noble cause. Donations, whether through Lyon College at lyon.edu/supportnursing directed to the nursing department for tax receipts or via her Amazon wishlist, can contribute to the continued success of the project. Dr. Le is open to any ideas on expanding the ministry and involving students, emphasizing the communal aspect of this life-saving initiative. Those looking to join the initiative, donate, or suggest ideas can contact Dr. Le at rebecca.le@lyon.edu.
As the project continues to empower lives, it stands as a testament to the transformative potential of community-driven initiatives. Dr. Rebecca Le’s birthing kits project is not merely a collection of supplies; it is a beacon of hope, bridging communities and ensuring that every mother and child, regardless of location, has the opportunity for a safe and healthy beginning.
Readers are invited to view the birthing kits album to get a better idea of the effort and work that goes into each one, and view a few of the groups that have been impacted by the availability of the kits.
Image: Lyon College
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