It was unexpected, the news that shocked us all.
Within my family home, words became a weapon. My father overwhelmed me with verbal abuse, condemning me every chance he got, while my mother’s cries echoed through the house: “You have gone too far, my daughter.” Their words, and then their silence, were sharp as blades that eventually convinced me I was a mistake.
My name is Soki Buyana Cemonde. I am 28 years old and I live in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Two years ago, I was a carefree young woman, the pride of my parents and a well-regarded member of my community, working as a receptionist for a local company. As the eldest of four siblings, we shared a modest life, yet one built on an unwavering bond. Then, a single encounter changed everything. A look, an approach, and suddenly the unforeseen happened: I became pregnant. At that exact moment, the entire course of my life was altered.
Paralyzed by shame and fleeing the community’s gaze which felt like a public trial, I chose solitude. I only ventured out under the cover of night. This wall of isolation, coupled with the fear of being judged by medical staff, kept me from seeking health care. I avoided community outreach workers, sacrificing my own health and access to essential prenatal services because of the stigma I felt from my parents and feared from others. I found myself alone and vulnerable because society had stripped me of my right to dignity.
Then one day, I heard a message on the radio. A health worker sharing information about the dangers of missing prenatal check-upsand the importance of learning about life-threatening risks such as postpartum hemorrhage or severe bleeding after birth that can have deadly consequences, and where to receive important check-ups and tests to ensure both my baby and I were healthy.
Like a powerful wake-up call, those radio spots and songs took over my mind. Those broadcasts weren't just ads; they were the spark I needed. They turned my hesitation into a firm resolve to protect my future and my baby.
I went to a nearby health facility. The health workers there were supported by AMPLI-PPHI project [funded by Unitaid and led by Jhpiego in partnership with FIGO and PATH]. Although I had missed the first trimester check-ups, qualified staff performed necessary exams, such as HIV and blood group testing. They administered important vaccinations given during pregnancy such as the Tetanus vaccine, and provided me with essential education on nutrition, birth preparedness, and the early detection of danger signs, transforming my pregnancy into a safe and informed journey. As my due date approached, I felt prepared.
On the big day, life gave me the greatest gift: a beautiful baby girl.
Immediately after the baby was delivered, I was given an injection which the midwife explained was heat-stable carbetocin to enable my uterus to contract and prevent bleeding. However, that joy nearly turned into tragedy. A few hours after delivery, I began to bleed severely. Instantly, the entire medical team sprang into action. Because my doctor had informed and prepared me, I understood exactly what was happening. They administered life-saving treatment, which I later learned was MOTIVE, a bundle of actions and medications given all at the same time that have been proven to be an effective treatment for postpartum hemorrhage [uterine massage, oxytocic drugs, tranexamic acid, IV fluids, and examination, has been proven to be effective in the treatment of PPH.]
Thanks to this bundled treatment, the bleeding stopped. My life was saved.
The medical team also taught me how to care for the baby, including nutrition advice, such as exclusive breastfeeding, and the recommended vaccinations. I was also offered family planning advice.
My daughter, Soki Nzoli Gracy, is now 17 months old. She is my pure joy. I share this happiness with my parents who, through the mediation of community leaders involved with the AMPLI-PPHI project, came to see me not as a source of shame, but as a beacon of resilience.
Now they are convinced that my journey can serve as a powerful catalyst for change and an inspiration for every girl and woman in our community.
I am sharing my story so that every woman knows that access to information and medication can change a destiny.
A mother’s life should never end while giving life.
About AMPLI-PPHI
The Unitaid-funded Accelerating Measurable Progress and Leveraging Investments for Postpartum Hemorrhage Impact (AMPLI-PPHI) project is a four-year (2022–2026), $26 million initiative to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity from postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). Jhpiego is leading AMPLI-PPHI in partnership with PATH and the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), which aims to generate evidence and learning, create an enabling environment, and prepare the market to enable broad uptake of newly recommend PPH products – heat-stable carbetocin to prevent PPH, calibrated drapes to detect PPH, tranexamic acid as part of the MOTIVE bundle to treat PPH and misoprostol for administration in home births across low- and middle-income countries. Working in close partnership with governments from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, India, Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia – with complimentary funding from the European Union’s Safe Birth Africa Initiative (a joint Unitaid-UNFPA venture and a Global Gateway Flagship Project) and the Gates Foundation – AMPLI-PPHI supports countries to ensure that the right PPH medications are available at the right time, in the right place, for the right indication, and for the right patient across health systems, ultimately reducing maternal morbidity and mortality.
Fabrice Witanday is the Communications and Advocacy Officer for Jhpiego in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Elaine Roman is the Project Director for AMPLI-PPHI.
