Some simple items are being created into birthing kits to be delivered to women in rural villages in South and Central America and Africa.
The Zonta Club of Kenmore and Tonawanda will host a fundraiser at the Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda this Sunday to help pay for their humanitarian project.
"Birthing kits are the most simple things to create and they create such a global impact," said Tracy Miles, president of Zonta Club of the Tonawanda's and kit coordinator.
Over the few years, two local Zonta clubs made more than 3,000 birthing kits. The kits provide a sheet of plastic, gauze, a razor blade, gloves and soap.
"Simple things to you and I, but when put together this could mean the difference between life and death for a mother and child when you have nothing and you are out in the middle of nowhere," said Miles.
122 million women give birth each year, but 86% occur in developing countries, leaving some women without any birthing assistance .
A half-million women die annually in children birth. Many some suffer from infections or injuries. Third world countries do not feature high-tech delivery rooms that serve American women.
"But imagine being out in the middle of nowhere with little to know training. So if the midwives know who to use them...imagine being able to carry someone's life to save in the palm of your hands," noted Miles.
The local Zonta chapters have provided the birthing kits directly to Africa and Haiti.
Sunday, September 23, the Local Music - Global Impact concert will held to help raise funds to continue buying materials to create, pack and ship the birthing kits to third world countries.