Mercy mission to help Chad's mums

From the archive, first published Friday 13th Apr 2007.

A MOVING TV documentary has inspired a former science teacher to travel to Africa to install solar panels for lighting in two clinics.

Colin Kidner, 65, of Crown Road, Billericay, was one of millions who watched the BBC Panorama programme Dead Mums Don't Cry in June 2005.

The documentary highlighted mortality rates in Chad, where hospitals do not have a constant source of power. The odds of a woman dying in pregnancy or childbirth is 1 in 11. In Britain, the odds are less than 1 in 5,000.

Mr Kidner decided the best way he could help was to install solar panels at two hospitals to ensure there is constant light in delivery rooms allowing medical staff to help mums-to-be.

He said: "Parts of the programme made me cry, parts of it made me angry and the rest left me asking what the hell can I do to help.

"I was so moved by the programme that I began to devise ways in which I could help using the skills and experience I gained as a former science teacher."

The same story also inspired the founding of charity Safer Birth in Chad Foundation (SBCF). Mr Kidner has served as its chairman and is now the treasurer.

He has just returned from a week-long visit to Chad, just west of Sudan, where his expertise in solar energy has made a huge impact.

He said: "There are now solar panels on the roofs of the two Chagoua and Farcha clinics in the city of N'djamena. The panels power light for the delivery rooms.

"We have also embarked on a training programme for midwives and have an agreement with the Minister of Health for more work in the country to improve maternity services.

"This means not only are we directly supporting health workers on the ground, we are also trying to support good governance and transparency.

"A reliable power supply for the clinics is still a problem.

"They have a generator which just needs a couple of spares so I'll be visiting the manufacturer, learning about the device and eventually instructing the caretaker in Chad."

He hopes to join others in a return visit to Chad in November, when he hopes to tile the clinic walls to help with hygiene.

Born and bought up in Kenya, Mr Kidner left the African country to join the Army on a short service commission.

After leaving the Royal Engineers, he first tried civil engineering before training as a teacher and starting his career in nearby Mayflower School.

However, he retired from teaching while working at St John's School in Epping and today works part time for a behavioural optometrist as a vision therapist.

Married to Julie, he has a daughter and a son and what little spare time is left is spent sailing.

Mr Kidner also confirmed the foundation is always looking for supporters and cash and recommended people visit www.saferbirthinchad.org for more information.