FROM MOTHER TO CHAMPION FOR KANGAROO MOTHER CARE

Every week, Mrs Berine walks through the doors of the Neonatology Unit at Buea Regional Hospital carrying something many mothers desperately need: hope…

She is not a doctor. She is not a nurse.

She is a Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) Champion.

Years ago, Berine sat in the same ward as many of the mothers she now supports. Her baby had been born prematurely, and like countless parents facing a similar situation, she was overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty.

"I did not know what would happen. I was worried for my baby and afraid of what the future would look like. I was always angry and moody. "

Mrs Berine, KMC Champion

Through the support of healthcare workers at the neonatology unit, Berine learned how prolonged skin-to-skin contact (kangaroo mother care approach) could help her baby stay warm, grow stronger and improve their chances of survival.

As her child recovered, her fear gradually gave way to confidence.

That experience eventually inspired a new mission for her

Today, Berine volunteers her time to support mothers whose babies are receiving Kangaroo Mother Care at Buea Regional Hospital and in surrounding communities. For many mothers, her presence is reassuring. She has lived their reality. She understands the sleepless nights, the anxiety, the questions, and the emotional burden that often comes with caring for a premature baby.

"When I speak to mothers, I tell them my story. I want them to know that I understand what they are going through because I have gone through it myself."

Mrs Berine, KMC Champion

Inside the neonatology ward, Berine spends time listening to mothers, sharing encouragement, and reminding them that recovery takes patience.

She speaks openly about the challenges she faced during her own journey and the importance of staying committed to Kangaroo Mother Care, which requires mothers to hold their babies in continuous skin-to-skin contact for many hours each day.

The connection she builds with mothers is rooted in trust. Unlike many forms of advice, her words are backed by lived experience, photos and evidence-based approaches.

For mothers facing uncertainty, seeing a healthy child whose journey began in the same state and same ward often becomes a powerful source of motivation.

One mother, Blandine, recalls arriving at the hospital feeling frightened and alone.

Meeting Berine changed that.

"When she told me her story, I felt encouraged. I saw someone who had faced the same challenges and whose child had survived. It gave me confidence to continue."

Mother supported by KMC Champion

Berine's work extends far beyond the hospital.

She regularly follows up with mothers after discharge, checking on babies and ensuring families continue practising the techniques they learned during their stay in the neonatology unit. The visits are particularly important because many mothers face additional challenges once they return home. Some struggle financially, while Others receive discouraging advice from relatives who still hold misconceptions about prematurity and do not understand  the importance of Kangaroo Mother Care practice

"There are mothers who are told not to continue. Some family members do not believe in the process. Others lose hope because the journey is difficult. That is why encouragement is important."

Mrs Berine, KMC Champion

In communities affected by crisis, these challenges can become even greater. Families often face economic hardship, displacement, and limited access to healthcare services, particularly for mothers referred from communities such as Muea, Ekona and Muyuka where there is insecurity. For vulnerable newborns, continued support can make a critical difference.

Health workers at Buea Regional Hospital recognise the important role KMC Champions play in helping mothers remain committed to their babies' care.

"We encourage champions to share their experiences because they inspire confidence and hope. Mothers are often reassured when they hear from someone who has completed the same journey."

Major Njohjam Christable, Head of the Neonatology Unit, Buea Regional Hospital

With support from UNICEF and partners, Kangaroo Mother Care services have been strengthened in health facilities across the South-West Region, helping ensure that premature and low-birth-weight babies receive life-saving care and that families receive the support they need both at the facility and in their communities.

For Berine, every visit is personal. Every conversation reminds her of her own experience. Every healthy baby she encounters is a reminder of why she continues.

She does not provide medicine.

She does not perform medical procedures.

She provides something equally valuable.

Understanding.

Encouragement.

Hope.

In the neonatology ward and communities across Buea, Berine is helping mothers believe in their own strength and in the future of their children. Through her dedication and support, she has worked closely with more than 20 mothers, guiding them through the challenges of caring for premature and low-birth-weight babies.

Her work highlights the critical importance of neonatal care, particularly Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), in improving the survival and well-being of newborns. By promoting early bonding, exclusive breastfeeding, warmth, and continuous care, KMC helps premature babies grow stronger, reduces the risk of complications, and gives them a better chance to survive and thrive. Through her efforts, mothers gain the knowledge, confidence, and support needed to provide lifesaving care for their babies both in the health facility and at home.

Her journey demonstrates how one mother's experience can become a source of support for many others, helping ensure that families facing the challenges of premature birth never have to walk the journey alone.

Through the dedication of KMC Champions like Berine, mothers are finding the confidence to care for their newborns and giving vulnerable babies a stronger chance to survive and thrive.