Children's Uplift Programme (CUP) staff met Sharmin, a young, homeless and pregnant mother, during outreach. She was a sex worker and based herself at the Mazar, a religious site, where it was easy to get customers. After building a good relationship with CUP staff, Sharmin started going to the new CUP drop-in centre. CUP staff regularly took her to a local clinic and ensured that she received appropriate medicine.

One day, Sharmin came in and she was bleeding. A staff member took her to a local clinic. Her baby was in a breech position so Sharmin had to have a c-section. It was a difficult and fearful time for Sharmin but she gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl. She was only allowed to stay at the hospital for two days and she then had to go back to the public room, next to the toilets, at the Mazar where she lived. The conditions in this room are extremely unclean and have limited washing facilities.

CUP staff helped Sharmin come to the centre during the day, and ensured that she and her child kept clean to prevent infection. Sharmin had lived a very chaotic life and found it difficult to keep track of appointments or medication. She was given support to receive and utilize the right medical care. Like many mothers, Sharmin found it difficult to breast feed and began feeding her baby condensed milk, which can be fatal for new born babies in unsanitary conditions. CUP staff successfully encouraged and assisted her to breastfeed. Both mother and child are now doing well. They continue to regularly receive support at the drop-in centre.

Pray

• Praise God that he has guided us and been with us through this beginning stage of CUP.
• Praise God for the good relationships that have been built up with mothers and children and for the work that we have been able to do so far.
• For all the children and mothers who have contact with CUP—that they will stay healthy and their lives will be improved.
• For CUP staff as we continue to develop the service.

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