Hello,

My name is Bineta Fall. I am the founder and president of LAIIT Initiative. This project came to mind when I went to stay in Senegal for two years during my maternity leave. When bringing my baby for checkups at local hospitals and clinics, I realized that there were so many inconsistencies in the system and delivery of care. I also noticed that many infants including my nephew, who needed intensive care right after birth did not have access to their mother’s breast milk at a time when they needed it the most:  while receiving treatment. 

Because I saw that mothers and infants in Senegal and the rest of the developing world did not have access to quality care and I realized that something as simple as access to breastmilk could have tremendous impact in the survival of vulnerable infants, I decided to do something about it; Hence the creation of LAIIT Initiative. With that idea came a plethora of ideas, realizing that as an organization we can have a great impact in improving the system of care for pregnant women and infants. Our programs reflect what we think needs to be put in place for sustainable change to happen. I invite you to reflect on your own lives and find gratitude, so much so that it leads you to want to reach out to those less fortunate and give them a helping hand. Please join us in fulfilling our mission, together.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Bineta

Fatoumata is a 13 year old girl who was picked up by our volunteer, Touti, on the side of the road. Touti saw that she was begging for food while holding one of the newborn twins, with the other laying asleep under the shade of a tree. She had to help. She told Fatoumata to pick up her babies and get into the car and promised her that she will do everything she can to help them. She bought formula for the infants and sought medical care for Fatoumata, who could not breastfeed due to an infection that left her breasts swollen. Touti later found out that Fatoumata had a fatal heart condition. Unfortunately, Fatoumata died April 1st , 2021 at the tender age of 13. Her babies are currently being taken care of at an orphanage in Thies. LAIIT Initiative and donors from all over the world are helping to support them. 

Poverty is the overarching reason for this tragic outcome as well as many others. Fatoumata was married off at 12 years old because her parents were unable to financially support her. She did not have the means to feed her newborn infants, leading her to beg on the streets to buy formula. She also was not able to receive urgent care for her condition which led to her death. 

Fatoumata did not have the support she needed to make it. Her story made us realize how vital our work is to the lives of so many women and children who are in similar circumstances. We believe that their lives are not less important than ours. That is why we will do what it takes to reverse their predicament by working together with local and international partners who hold the same values.