The Leyaata Ane Project is saving the lives of mothers and newborns at birth in 160 communities in Northern Ghana. As part of this project, women receive “susu” (savings) boxes and training to help them prepare for a safe childbirth.
Yelesambu recently had a baby girl at her local health facility. She prepared for a safe childbirth by attending antenatal health care regularly.
She also received visits from her community health volunteer, who has been trained as part of the Leyaata Ane project. The health volunteer gave her a list of items that she would need to have for a facility delivery, which would cost about $60. Through the Leyaata Ane project, Yelesambu also received a susu box with about a $4 savings starter, and was taught how to save more so that she could be prepared.
Yelesambu had smiles all over her face when she talked about saving for this birth:
I was able to save 400 cedis. My contribution was not consistent; my savings depended on my sales for the day. The susu box made a great difference compared to my previous deliveries. If I didn’t have the susu box savings, I would not have been able to buy a lot of the things that I wanted. If I have another baby, I will save again and again.