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Aquarium pumps saving babies' lives

Posted by 7 Megan on March 15, 2014 at 2:50pm in Mr Bruns 360 Message Board

When Chokonjetsa was born, he weighed just over 2 pounds. His tiny, underdeveloped lungs struggled for each breath.Then doctors in the hospital in Blantyre, Malawi, put Chokonjetsa on a breathing machine made out of aquarium pumps.Chokonjetsa is one of dozens of newborns in the African country who have survived thanks to the ingenuity of students in a senior design class at Rice University in Houston. The overall survival rate of babies with respiratory distress at the Malawi hospital increased from 44% to 71% with the use of the students' breathing machine. Using aquarium pumps, the students have designed a low-cost version of a breathing device called a bubble CPAP, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, machine

I think that this story is amazing! I really like that students are helping these poor children. My sister is kinda doing something likes this but in Sierra Leone, Africa. She helps disabled children. I really enjoy listening to her stories and her pictures. I would love to do something like this someday. What do you guys think? Would you want to help these people save these children lives'? How would you feel if you were the parent of one of these children? 

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Replies

  • Mr. Bruns March 20, 2014 at 1:13pm

    Well done!!

  • 1Savannah March 18, 2014 at 1:19pm

    I think it's cool that these students did this for these kids!! I bet those parents are so grateful for this!!

    • 7 Megan > 1Savannah March 18, 2014 at 9:42pm

      I agree i would be so grateful if students were helping save my kids life

  • 3Kali March 18, 2014 at 8:10am

    I would want to help them save lives. I bet that their parents are are extremely grateful for it...I know I would be.

    • 7 Megan > 3Kali March 18, 2014 at 11:10am

      I know this is such an  amazing experience

  • 6Racheal March 17, 2014 at 6:10pm

    Of course I would love to be able to help these kids and help them live. I would be scared if i was a parent of one of these children. But I would try to remain calm so I don't freak the kid out. I would also try to keep a positive attitude. 

    • 7 Megan > 6Racheal March 17, 2014 at 9:52pm

      I would be honored to help those children but i would also be scared at the same time because like that child life is in your hands.

  • This reply was deleted.
    • 7 Megan March 17, 2014 at 9:50pm

      yes especially in Africa because i know some parts of Africa are low on money and stuff like that now they have a way to save many children lives' 

  • 1Jordyn March 17, 2014 at 12:34pm

    People who don't have a lot of money but have sick family members really benefit with this low cost machine! I would love to help and contribute to this cause.  This is so incredible.

    • 7 Megan > 1Jordyn March 17, 2014 at 9:49pm

      I agree it would be such an honor to work with less little helpless children.

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