An expectant mother in Missouri might assemble items like fuzzy slippers, cute baby booties and a change of clothes.
A Tanzanian mother's birthing kit is a little more hardcore. In rural areas, a mother may give birth on the dirt floor of her hut, with only family members to assist. Providing a sterile environment to give birth becomes key to protecting the health of the mother and child.
"We're helping provide safe birthing kits," Westminster student Teri Davis said. "These women don't have a lot of access to safe birthing techniques and midwives don't have the equipment they need."
Westminster College's Pre-Healthcare Professionals' Association, of which Davis is president, is hosting a 5K at 6 p.m. Friday to raise money for Humanity for Children's safe-birthing initiative.
"This is our second year raising money for Humanity for Children," Davis said. "Before, they'd done 5K events, but here recently we've had a lot more participation. When people find out there are women in the world who can't have their baby in a safe environment, that hits home for everybody."
The Columbia-based charity sends safe birthing kits to birthing assistants in the Maasai tribe in Tanzania. Registration for the event costs $10, the price of one kit.
"Last year, we were able to raise enough to get $50 birthing kits," Davis said. "This year, we're hoping to raise twice that amount."
Infants born in rural areas of Tanzania are at a high risk of contracting infections during birth, such as HIV and potentially blinding eye infections.
Humanity for Children assembles kits with various supplies to aid in safe, healthy births, including tarps to cover dirt floors, reusable menstrual pads for postpartum bleeding, gloves, antibiotic eye ointment, soft receiving blankets and more.
Birthing kits are just one of Humanity for Children's multiple public health initiatives. The charity also helps train birthing assistants, provides bed nets to prevent malaria, establishes laboratories at clinics, constructs latrines and more. Westminster alum Dr. Bob Hansen is on Humanity for Children's board and sometimes brings Westminster students with him to Tanzania, Davis said.
This year's race is Halloween themed. Appropriate and non-gory costumes are welcome, and the best will win a prize. In addition to hydration stations, the course will be dotted with spots to trick or treat for those who need a sweet pick-me-up.
This event is open to the public.
"We invite the whole Fulton community to come out and have fun," Davis said. "Every year, the 5K gets better and better. We've been raising more and more money for these really cool organizations."
Children aged 6-12 can register for $5, while younger children may participate for free. Sign-up takes place 11 a.m.-1 p.m. through Friday at Westminster's Hunter Activity Center. Participants may also register or just make a donation at bit.ly/MaasaiHalloween.
Participants can also sign up before the race at Westminster's Latshaw Plaza on West 7th Street a few minutes before 6 p.m. Signing up in advance helps ensure race organizers will have enough T-shirts for everyone.
For other Halloween events, check the Community Calendar daily on page 2.