Saodate had no idea that this ordinary visit would change her life. She did not yet know that she had just met someone who would become, in many ways, her guardian angel.

This is her story.

“I still remember the day Mariam came to visit me at home. I was seven months pregnant, and I had never attended a prenatal visit. To me, the pregnancy was simply progressing, despite the pains I sometimes felt after meals and the bleeding I could not quite explain.

When Mariam asked questions and examined me, I realized that something was wrong. She spoke to me gently but firmly: ‘You need to go to the health center immediately.’ I listened to her advice.

At the Nagréongo health center, the health workers examined me and referred me to the Ziniaré District Medical Centre. There, after an ultrasound scan, I received difficult news: I was carrying twins. But one of them had already died, and the other was in danger.

Everything happened very quickly. I was taken into the operating room for an emergency caesarean section. I woke up in immense physical pain—and in even deeper emotional pain. My baby had not survived, but I was alive.

With time, I came to realize that without Mariam, I would probably not be here today to tell this story.

A few months later, I became pregnant again. This time, I did not hesitate. I chose to be supported by Mariam. She followed me closely, advised me, and accompanied me at every stage of my pregnancy. She took the time to listen, to ensure that everything was going well, and to reassure me. This second pregnancy was nothing like the first—I felt safe.

And this time, everything went well. I gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Today, she is one and a half years old, and every time I look at her, I think about the journey we have been through.

I know one thing for sure: without Mariam, I would not be here—and neither would my daughter.”