Mary and Joseph Life Center (MJLC) in Nairobi’s informal settlements is making significant strides in promoting the dignity of human life, particularly for women and children, through its provision of free ultrasound services. Under the stewardship of Rev. Dr. Patrick Devine, Shalom-SCCRR International Chairman, the center has become a glimmer of hope for many expectant mothers facing crisis pregnancies in the urban slums.

According to Ms. Esther Njeri Kibe MA, Women Project Officer at Shalom-SCCRR, the center has been instrumental in providing care and support to pregnant women like Ms. Helen Kasandi, a resident of Kawangware urban informal settlements. Ms. Kasandi expressed her gratitude, stating, “They were very kind and receptive to all of us. I appreciate the care they offered my baby and me; they treated us with dignity. I am now confident in my journey of motherhood, and I look forward to delivering a healthy baby in five months.”

The issue of crisis pregnancies leading to abortions remains a major concern in Nairobi’s slums. However, MJLC has been actively addressing this issue by offering free ultrasound services to over 900 women so far. These services have not only empowered women to make informed decisions about their pregnancies but have also provided crucial insights into the health and well-being of their unborn children.

Sr. Sarah Ngigi KRCHN, MJLC’s Nurse and Counseling Officer, highlighted the importance of ultrasound in prenatal care, emphasizing its role in determining due dates, detecting potential problems, and revealing the gender of the baby. Ms. Rose Anyango, MJLC’s Sonographer, stressed the significance of these services for vulnerable women in urban informal settlements, noting, “Women should be encouraged to visit health facilities for ultrasound services to check on their health and that of their baby.”

Testimonials from beneficiaries like Ms. Mary Wanjiru and Ms. Risper Anyango further underscore the impact of MJLC’s services. Ms. Wanjiru shared her relief at being able to access free ultrasound services despite financial constraints, while Ms. Anyango expressed gratitude for learning about her baby’s gender and monitoring her pregnancy’s progress.

In addition to ultrasound services, MJLC has conducted over 100 educational workshops and seminars, empowering 3,501 women to make informed choices for themselves and their babies. These programs also offer psychological, spiritual, and economic livelihood resilience support to vulnerable mothers.

The center’s commitment to addressing violence against women and children is evident in its holistic approach, which extends from conception to natural death. Through the generosity of donors and supporters, MJLC continues to make a difference in the lives of countless women and children, providing hope and dignity in the face of crisis pregnancies and adversity.