Voice 1
Welcome to Spotlight. I'm Steve Myersco.
Voice 2
And I'm Liz Waid. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
Voice 3
"In our country there is joy. In our country there is peace. In our country there is hope. But we still need to protect the women and the children, because their health is our future."
Voice 1
These are the words of Stara Thomas. She is one of Tanzania's most famous singers. She is also a human rights worker. Stara works to improve the lives of mothers and babies in her country. Today's Spotlight is on Stara's work with the White Ribbon Alliance in Tanzania. Together, they are working to tell the stories of the mothers and babies of Tanzania. They are also improving health care conditions so that more mothers and babies survive.
Voice 2
The White Ribbon Alliance is an international group of individuals and organizations. Together, they work to make pregnancy and childbirth safe for women and new babies all around the world. Pregnant women and mothers are often in danger because of the lack of skilled health workers, lack of medical supplies, and lack of hospitals or clinics where they can give birth safely. These are problems women face in many places of the world.
Voice 1
In Tanzania, for every 100,000 babies born, 578 mothers die. These numbers come from the White Ribbon Alliance. For every 1000 babies born, 68 of them die. These are very high numbers. Over half of pregnant women give birth at home, and without skilled health workers. Facts like these make it easy to see why the White Ribbon Alliance in Tanzania decided to begin a very interesting project.
Voice 2
In 2006 the alliance trained five midwives and a doctor in basic film-making. These health workers talked with government officials, hospital workers, and mothers. They asked about pregnancy and child birth in Tanzania. The White Ribbon Alliance hoped the project would be a way to give the mothers and health workers of Tanzania a voice. They hoped it would be a way to spread a message around the world - that mothers need care from skilled health workers during pregnancy and childbirth, and after. The film was called "Play Your Part."
Voice 1
In the film, the film-makers visit Temeke Hospital. This hospital is in the capital city of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam. They talk with hospital workers who describe a lack of medical resources. But the workers do their best with what they have. The film-makers also talk to mothers. One mother there tells why she thinks skilled health workers are so important. She says:
Voice 4
"I say to my fellow mothers, it is important to attend a clinic especially for pregnant women. A pregnant woman might have dangerous problems. The baby might be in a breech position - the wrong position to come out of the mother's body. If you stay at home, you will not know. But if you go to the clinic, skilled midwives will watch your progress."
Voice 2
Another mother at the clinic tells her story too. She tells how she had problems with the placenta. After a baby is born, an organ called the placenta follows from the mother's uterus. This is a part of the labour process. If the placenta does not come shortly after birth, a mother can suffer a great loss of blood. She could even die without the correct medical help. The mother at the clinic tells how she is thankful for the clinic - and how they have helped to keep her and her baby safe and healthy.
Voice 1
For the film, The White Ribbon Alliance asked Stara Thomas to write and sing a song. Stara wrote the song because she knew it could help the "Play Your Part" project. In an interview she explained her reason for helping the project.
Voice 3
"I am a mother, and I have been in labour, and I know how risky it is. Because I am a singer, and here in my country I am famous, I believe if I speak out, some people will hear me and will listen to my words and even sometimes follow them. If they follow, it can change the world."
Voice 1
The song tells the message of the film. Stara explains:
Voice 3
"The song talks about how a pregnant woman's health is supposed to be taken care of by specialists. This is in order to reduce the number of women and children dying during the delivery time."
Voice 2
The film, "Play Your Part", was a complete success in Tanzania. Many government members saw the film. And they reacted to the film immediately. They increased the amount of skilled birth attendants trained every year. They also employed and sent newly trained midwives to country areas. Country areas are where women need maternal services the most. The film also influenced the President of Tanzania. He became a strong supporter of health issues concerning mothers.
Voice 1
The White Ribbon Alliance and Stara Thomas believe it will take many people working to change the system in Tanzania. But, as the film and song say, every person has to play their part. Lena Mfalila is part of the White Ribbon Alliance in Tanzania. She also works in the Ministry of Health there. She said these words in the film.
Voice 5
"Honestly, we have a lot to do and we must do it together. Alone, the ministry of health cannot succeed. We need to make a combined effort with all the Ministries, local government, city authorities and our Districts, together with our citizens so that we can do whatever possible to improve our situation. For example, all our citizens can help in their own communities. By community we mean the family. By community we mean fathers; we mean mothers and all family members around a woman. We must understand that this is not one person's problem. It is not just a woman's problem alone."
Voice 2
So together, Stara and the White Ribbon Alliance are working to educate mothers, fathers, communities and even government leaders. They want all the people of Tanzania to recognize their part in improving maternal health. Stara says:"
Voice 3
"So many mothers suffer. So many children are left to suffer. Yes, our women and children suffer. They have a right to speak out, and they have a right to be heard so that everyone must pay attention."
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