The Game Changers

True Stories About Saving Mothers and Babies in East Africa

SUMMARY

The Game Changers is a passionate wake-up call to recognize and rectify a daily tragedy and a global injustice. Around the world some 300,000 women and girls die each year during childbirth—needlessly, and often agonizingly—from preventable causes. In developing countries, maternal mortality rates are hundreds of times higher than in the developed world. From on the ground in East Africa, obstetrician Dr. Jean Chamberlain Froese and journalist Patricia Paddey chronicle a new education initiative called Save the Mothers that is developing leaders—in the fields of politics, journalism, education, law, social services and education—and turning them into game changers. Captivating real life stories backed by impeccable research reveal why mothers and their babies are dying, and how Save the Mothers is equipping and motivating local leaders who, in turn, are empowering women and girls, challenging men to care, improving maternal health, and changing the social fabric in East Africa. The book also offers readers practical ways to make a difference. 

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

We learn the fascinating story of how Save the Mothers was birthed and meet 16 students and graduates of the program. These East African game changers include: Denis Olak, who works as a counsellor to girls once abducted and forced into sex slavery by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA); Catherine Kizza Mwesigwa, a journalist and editor who brings the issue of maternal health to the fore of public consciousness by keeping stories about maternal death and disability on the front page of her country’s daily newspaper; Josephine Waako, a charismatic pastor who has learned to preach to the whole person, emphasizing the importance of nutrition, cleanliness and personal hygiene in her teaching where once she attributed sickness to demonic forces; and Beatrice Barikurungi Rwakimari, a politician who brought Uganda’s parliament to a standstill when as an MP, she and her colleagues refused to allow the government to borrow any more money unless it first approved loans to equip maternal health centres. The Game Changers concludes with practical, proven advice for how each one of us can contribute to eliminating the 21st Century scourge of maternal and infant mortality.

Review

“Through a series of vivid personal stories, the authors take us inside one of the most inspiring accounts of compassion, resilience and determination on the frontlines of humanitarian struggle that I’ve read about in years. … Inspired by a strong sense of personal faith, this is the hope-filled search for grassroots change needed to overcome an ongoing health crisis among the most vulnerable that is too often ignored by media.”

Brian Stewart, Broadcast journalist; former CBC-TV senior foreign correspondent

“Canadian doctor Jean Chamberlain Froese  … and co-author Patricia Paddey find some of the heroes who have helped combat the ancient and easily preventable causes of maternal mortality. They help us see that the very human delays—in the home, in the hospital, in the hallways of power—are causes we can all help address. And in the most hopeful way, this book helps us see how.”

John Stackhouse, Former editor-in-chief, The Globe and Mail; author, Out of Poverty

“We who are among the privileged minority on this planet have a responsibility to use well the gifts that come with our privilege. Dr. Jean Chamberlain Froese and Save the Mothers know that ours is not a just or equitable world, but that education is one of the great equalizers. They recognize the truth that education is key to equipping and inspiring people to work for justice and bring about change. The Game Changers highlights some of the remarkable people who are working within their culture to bring about life-saving transformation. Their stories serve as powerful evidence that every one of us can make a difference. We need only care.

—Baroness Caroline Cox, President, Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust

“The real life stories contained within The Game Changers raise awareness and challenge us to respond to the over 300,000 women who die every year in childbirth. Co-author Dr. Jean Chamberlain Froese began Save the Mothers to address this issue in East Africa, and spearheads local community response in leadership and education. I urge your support of this worthy organization and know you will be moved to action reading The Game Changers.”

The Honorable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, 2007-2014

“Talk about game changers! This book is a game changer. Dr. Jean Chamberlain Froese is a game changer! This book introduces us to the stories of many more people who have become game changers because of Dr. Chamberlain Froese’s passion and complete dedication to the women of Uganda.”

Douglas H. Kirkpatrick, Past President, American College Obstetricians and Gynecologists

“This important collection of moving vignettes seizes upon the power of story to emphasize our place within the larger global narrative of suffering, compassion and redemption; we are bonded through the pages by our common human dignity. Do not add to the delay: read and be changed. Read and become a game changer yourself.

—Carolyn Weber, Professor; speaker; author of Surprised by Oxford and Holy is the Day

“Each chapter of The Game Changers illuminates, providing facts and information about some of the hard realities of life here in East Africa. But the profile stories also demonstrate the diversity of men and women who are rising up with unshakable hope to respond to the challenges and needs of our culture. … This story is worth telling, and a call to others to be active participants in this worthy undertaking. Dr. Jean Chamberlain Froese and her Save the Mothers colleagues are a gift to East Africa. May The Game Changers inspire you to join in their vital work.”

—Rev. Canon Dr. John Senyonyi, Vice Chancellor, Uganda Christian University

“The Game Changers is a thoughtful, thorough explanation of why mothers face death and serious illness in so many countries, especially in Uganda and other parts of East Africa. … Read this book if you want to see lifesaving partnerships at work and how they are changing the game for mothers and babies.”

—Dave Toycen, retired President & CEO of World Vision Canada;

“The Game Changers begins with a description of the very dark game being played out right now in Uganda … Dr. Jean Chamberlain Froese has devoted herself to saving mothers and babies in East Africa, and in this book she and Patricia Paddey tell true stories which capture the harsh realities of life in Uganda, illuminate the obligations we all must acknowledge with regard to that situation, and yet encouragingly give us insight into the ways in which people from all kinds of backgrounds can help to make a difference.”

—Patrick Deane, President and Vice-Chancellor, McMaster University

About the authors:

Jean Chamberlain Froese, MD, MEd, FRCSC, is a Canadian obstetrician/gynecologist, an internationally recognized expert in women’s reproductive health, and a Member of the Order of Canada. She has volunteered in some of the world’s poorest countries to make childbirth a safer experience. She is founder and executive director of Save the Mothers, an organization dedicated to reversing high rates of maternal mortality in the developing world. She lives part of each year in Uganda overseeing Save the Mothers’ Master in Public Health Leadership program, and part in Canada advocating for safe motherhood while teaching and working clinically.

Patricia Paddey is an award-winning freelance writer, editor and communications consultant. With a background in broadcast journalism, she currently serves as communications director for Save the Mothers.

Keywords:  childbirth, maternal mortality, Africa, education, developing leaders, empowering women, maternal health