It’s a joy to be able to share the most recent photo updates we’ve received from the Mary Ward Primary Health Care Clinic in Maker Kuei, South Sudan, where the Loreto Sisters are running a specialised care programme from twin babies from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“At the moment, we have 24 sets of twins and one set of triplets in the programme,” writes Sr Helena. “The children are usually brought to us shortly after birth and leave them programme when they reach the age of nine months.”
The programme provides medical and nutritional care for young babies at high risk of malnutrition and disease, as families simply cannot afford to care properly for two infants, while breastfeeding mothers are often not able to produce enough milk due to lack of sufficient nutrition for themselves. The Loreto Sisters give these babies the food and medical treatment they need for the first nine months of their lives, while also equipping their caregivers with the skills and knowledge they need to sustain these improvements beyond the scope of the programme.
“Two weeks ago, we discharged two sets of twins who joined the programme in July last year,” Sr Helena explains. “On the same day, we registered the set of triplets, born five weeks ago.”
“We usually announce the day when we discharge twins, so that families can come and register their twins on the same day. That means we nearly always have all 50 places (25 sets of twins) covered.”
This May, the MSC team are walking St Declan’s Way to raise vital funds for the Healthy Start facility in Maker Kuei. Our own Fr Alan Neville MSC has been living and ministering in South Sudan since 2020, and he continues to work closely with the Loreto Sisters in their ongoing work in medical care and education in the Rumbek region.
With thanks to Sr Helena for these wonderful photos, and to our MSC pilgrims, mission friends, and benefactors who are working to support this life-saving initiative in South Sudan.