Life-saving packages for babies in Samoa

The initiative was sparked when a Samoan Corps (church) family had a baby born at 28 weeks. The corps rallied around the family, but it was an eye-opener for Regional Leader Captain Julie Turner. ‘Many families in the NICU (Newborn Intensive Care Unit) are really suffering. Our family’s baby was so little, their hand was smaller than my thumb. They hadn’t developed a suckling reflex, so premature formula was essential. However, parents have to bear this cost, and just one tin costs almost a week’s wages. Premature nappies are hard to find, and they also cost almost a week’s wage.

‘It’s not uncommon for one parent to have to leave their job because of childcare needs, while the other parent is at hospital full-time. If no childcare is available, the other children may need to stay in the hospital too. Our people are very resilient, and they won’t complain about sleeping on the floor. But I could see that simply providing a sleeping mat, would make the world of difference,’ reflects Julie. 'Even something as simple as distilled water can really help a breast-feeding mother.'

The Samoan corps were able to support their family and they had a wonderful outcome: their precious package is now thriving and, at four months old, was recently dedicated at the corps. However, Julie wanted to find a way to help other families going through the same thing. And that’s how ‘Precious Packages Samoa’ - the territorial initiative - was created! For $150-$200 a pack, Salvationists can help Samoa to buy local, life-saving essentials, such as sleep mats and covers, nappies, formula, a manual breast pump, maternal care items and a food grant or parcel.