Our March meeting, held at the home of Michael and Jane Brake on a lovely sunny Spring morning, welcomed Ann Salter, a member of the Salisbury/Sudan Medical Link to talk to us about her visit to South Sudan, visiting 16 health clinics and meeting with local Mothers' Union groups in the area. This visit was completely self-funded as any money raised is used to help fund the training of clinical officers, nurses, midwives and other staff to provide high quality care. There is an urgent need for midwifery training in South Sudan which has the world's highest maternal death rate as well as a high infant mortality. A career as a nurse herself allowed Ann to visit with understanding and to see for herself what the staff have to deal with on a daily basis. The Salisbury/Sudan link supplies basic kits which include, antibiotics, antimalarials and pain killers and maternal delivery packs for safe birthing. These packs cost £5 each and as a group we hope to raise money later in the year to support this aspect of their work. Major fund raising for the work comes from Open Gardens in Salisbury, a summer Fete at South Canonry and a Christmas Fair, as well as individual donations and the support of parishes in the diocese. Ann was thanked by Veronica and given a copy of our 100 ways to be thankful book of reflections which had been gathered during lockdown.
Jocelyn told us of the many other dates for Mothers' Union for the rest of March which will be reported on in the next magazine.Prayers were shared and Jane thanked for her hospitality . Our next meeting on April 3rd at 10am at the home of Jocelyn, will be "Easter Thoughts and Customs," an intriguing title which I am sure will not disappoint.Enid Holbrow.