Mother & Child Survival United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Photograph courtesy of Michelle Scott/UMCOR

Photographs courtesy of Michelle Scott/UMCOR It's Friday morning at Kissy United Methodist Hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and every available space is taken up by pregnant women waiting to register for the prenatal clinic. Every Wednesday and Friday, women line up by the hundreds to attend the clinic. Photographs courtesy of Michelle Scott/UMCOR

Photograph courtesy of Michelle Scott/UMCOR Most of the women will give birth at home with traditional birth attendants, so knowing when to go to the hospital could save their lives. On other days they'll learn about malaria, HIV/AIDS, nutrition, and other topics.

Photographs courtesy of Michelle Scott/UMCOR Six rural clinics that serve up to 150 villages are also a part of the Kissy health network. These clinics provide lifesaving care to communities that are far from any other medical facility. Regular under-five check-ups and prenatal care help protect some of Sierra Leone's most vulnerable citizens. Sister Christiana is the nurse who runs Taiama Clinic. As part of her work she teaches members of the surrounding communities the importance of preventing malaria. Photographs courtesy of Michelle Scott/UMCOR

Photograph courtesy of Michelle Scott/UMCOR In much of the developing world child birth is fraught with danger. In sub-Saharan Africa 1 in 22 women will die giving birth. But bringing a new life into the world can not only kill, it can also maim a woman for life.

Photographs courtesy of Michelle Scott/UMCOR Women and children are among the most vulnerable to ill health in poor communities around the world. Many women die during pregnancy and child birth as do many infants in the first year of life. These lives can be saved by adopting some simple preventative measures including health education, immunizations, clean water, sanitation and effective nutrition. Photographs courtesy of Michelle Scott/UMCOR

Photographs courtesy of Michelle Scott/UMCOR Ganta United Methodist Hospital is a major health center in Liberia that serves a community of 450,000 people. It offers a wide range of primary and preventative healthcare services including, general medicine, basic surgery, ophthalmology, pediatrics, malaria and leprosy treatment, women's health and HIV/AIDS testing and treatment. The hospital staff works not only to treat and serve hospital patients, but also to educate and care for the entire community. Photographs courtesy of Michelle Scott/UMCOR

Photograph courtesy of Michelle Scott/UMCOR Many items we would consider disposable in a hospital are cleaned and reused. These gloves have been washed and are drying in the sun so they are ready for their next use. Photograph courtesy of Michelle Scott/UMCOR

Photographs courtesy of Michelle Scott/UMCOR In honor or memory of our mothers this coming Mothers' Day, our church will be raising funds to support the "Mother and Child Survival" program sponsored by the United Methodist Church. The main purpose of the project is to reduce the preventable deaths of infants and pregnant women that occur in poor communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Missionary Beatrice Gbanga provides support to Kissy United Methodist Hospital's programs as well as other hospitals and clinics in West Africa. Photographs courtesy of Michelle Scott/UMCOR

Some of the ways your support will help: Health education and awareness training Training of birth attendants & village health workers Vaccines Treatment of common illnesses Access to clean water and sanitation Nutrition demonstrations Facilities for safe deliveries

Photographs courtesy of Michelle Scott/UMCOR Earnest Jusu is head of the “Friends" (HIV/AIDS) Unit at Kissy Hospital. He works at the hospital and in surrounding communities to encourage testing and awareness. Sister Christiana from the Taiama Clinic discusses a nutritional supplement she gives to malnourished children. Janet Bio, head midwife at Kissy Hospital, listens to a baby's heartbeat. Thanks to your faithful generosity, UMCOR reaches out with love and meaningful assistance to transform lives around the world. Photographs courtesy of Michelle Scott/UMCOR