Thirty-five year old Isatu lives in Sembehun village, nine miles from Bo. Isatu married to a young gentleman from the same village. For 13 years, Isatu was unable to give birth to a child. In the African tradition, if a woman cannot deliver a baby for her husband after 4 years of marriage she is considered barren and a witch. The people of the village began to mock and shun her, and with his family's encouragement, her husband married another lady, making Isatu the second and lower wife.
According to African tradition, the number of children a couple has is a reflection of the strength and wealth of the father. Not giving birth to children is perceived as a weakness in the man, and African society looks down on men with no children. Almost as soon as Isatu's ex-husband remarried, his new wife became pregnant and gave birth to a baby boy. “My mate's baby boy brought joy to the entire family including myself," said Isatu. Male children are preferred, as they are seen as carrying forward the familie's succession. After the birth, however, Isatu became completely isolated and was not permitted to play or touch her mate's child because she was considered a witch. Isatu was later disallowed from cooking because they believed her curse would poison the family. “I continued to pray to my forefathers to deliver me a child." Mercy Hospital conducts outreach in Sembehun village, but Isatu never understood the benefits of this outreach for women and children. She thought initially the outreach was for physically sick people. “I was referred by a family friend to register with Mercy Hospital for my barrenness," she shared. Fortunately, she was enrolled during one of the outreach missions in the village, and was registered as a patient at Mercy Hospital and put on fertility pills, and other free medical supplies every month. In addition, she received free medical and nutrition supplies each month, and free training on maternal health and childbirth. In September 2022, she became pregnant and gave birth to a bouncing baby boy. Isatu and her son continue to receive nutritional and medical support from Mercy. “Mercy Hospital changed my life and my status completely - not only within my household but in my village too. I am no longer called a witch”. She is allowed to touch and play with other children in the family. Her son is currently one year and three months old, and doing well. “My child is now the jewelry of my husband,” according to Isatu. The child was named Thewor, a Mende word that means, "they said I will not give birth."
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January 2025
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