Mariam was inspired to become a midwife by her grandmother – a traditional birth attendant – and used books provided by Book Aid International to excel in her studies. This is her story
In partnership with
Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau
My name is Mariam, and I’m a midwife at Bwindi Community Hospital, serving one of the least privileged communities in Uganda. I’ve worked here ever since I graduated from nursing school, and I enjoy my job so much. I feel I have a lot of babies because I’ve seen so many being born! Every one is a joy.
My job keeps me very busy. As well as delivering babies, I spend days outside the hospital, in the community, finding out who is pregnant and what services they need. In this community, many believe in traditional practices that can put mum and baby at risk. So I put a lot of time and care into explaining the benefits of our services. Because if we midwives do not make this effort, lives are sometimes lost. Mothers and babies die.
Mariam at work in the community and the hospital
I was motivated to train as a midwife because of my grandmother. She was a traditional birth attendant, and was always so happy when a birth went well. But when there were complications, she would talk about feeling she didn’t know enough. She used to lament a lot, saying, “Oh, I wish I could have a midwife one day in my family.”
My grandmother supported me to study midwifery. And so did the books that Book Aid International provided.
I remember the book I used most in my first semester was Anatomy and Physiology. This subject was said to be hard. However, by reading the book I passed the exam with flying colours. It gave me courage to go higher.
Then there was Myles for Midwives. It was another book I had with me every step of the way. I couldn’t have done my coursework without it and still refer to it now.
Without up-to-date books, I might even not have qualified as a midwife, because many medical libraries in Uganda aren’t well-equipped. Lack of funding means textbooks, reference works, guides and research publications can be very limited and outdated. This leaves many students and professionals unable to access the latest medical information – and worrying their patients are missing out.
Books provided by Book Aid International have made me a better midwife. Without these books, I know I wouldn’t be performing the way I am, or be as able to safely deliver babies.
Mariam and colleagues at Uganda Nursing School library
I believe books will keep having a huge effect in my life, too, as my hope as a midwife is to study further. I’d like to do a bachelor’s degree and increase my knowledge and capacity. But I and other students will need books on subjects like pharmacology and chemistry to achieve our goals. To provide the best possible care, health professionals and students across Uganda need the latest medical knowledge. Up-to-date books are the most trustworthy source.
