“APONA”
what
is apona?
Our late mother Florida was from the Ndau tribe, so is our father. The Ndau people hail from the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe. In the Ndau tribe, when a woman makes it back home from delivering a baby, we say “APONA”, direct translation “SHE SURVIVED”. It’s a moment of celebration but the chilling irony of that statement lingers; It very well may have been a negative outcome.
RHONAFLO hopes that we can celebrate more safe and dignified births in Zimbabwe and the high levels of maternal deaths and injuries can one day be a distant nightmare.
Our APONA birthing kits are a free incentive package of necessary childbirth items provided to expectant mothers in need. This is to encourage facility-based safe and quality childbirth and to avoid home based deliveries without proper medical staff.
The APONA birthing kits have most of the items essential for giving birth at a clinic or hospital and caring for an infant in their early life.
The APONA Birthing kit is 2 tiered.
Tier 1
New-born starter components given to the mother based on the outcome of a needs assessment done by village health workers and nurses. Kit may contain some or all of the following (baby dish, 2 cloth nappies, hat, baby socks, a vest, fleece set, cotton wool or maternity pads for mom, Bar of laundry soap
Tier 2
Clinical package of one- time use medical equipment for the delivery nurse or birth attendant to use for each mother (gloves, sterile surgical blades, cord clamps, soap, gauze, plastic mattress protectors). This is to ensure clean and hygienic delivery.