Healthworkers at the maternity wing at Rundu's Intermediary Hospital have shown off a premature-born baby who defied all odds and is now 1 and a half years old.

Baby Peligrine Triumph Ndara weighed 800 grammes, hardly the size of the hand of an adult person, when she was born on August 2, 2022.

Together with her mother, Lahia Mwira, and staff at the maternity wing at Rundu hospital, baby Peligrine Triumph Ndara's story is one of triumph over adversity.

During a visit by a delegation comprising the Japanese Ambassador, Hisao Nishimaki, UN Resident Coordinator, Hopelong Phororo, and Unicef country representative Sam Ocran, who visited the Rundu Intermediary Hospital in the Kavango East region recently, the proud mother and bay Triumph were also at hand. Unicef Health Specialist Gloria Siseho explained that a newborn baby weighing less than one thousand grammes is commonly aborted in the developing world, according to World Health Organisation standards. 

But Baby Truimph obviously had other ideas.

Mother Lahia Mwira told an attentive audience that baby Triumph was born on August 2.

She never expected the baby to be so small, but she also did not give up, nurturing her child, using the kangaroo method, rocking the baby on her breast area for long periods, a method proven to strengthen bonding between the infant and the mother. 

She was also in close touch with the staff of the maternity wing.

This was an undeniable highlight for the delegation as they listened to a touching story about a tiny and fragile human being's tale of survival against all odds.

Baby Triumph's story is not the first, and certainly won't be the last, testifying about the indomitable spirit of a young baby, but in her case, it tells a story of dilligence and commitment to the Florence Nighingale oath by health workers and the undying love of a mother.