Some mothers who gave birth to premature babies at the Rundu State Hospital said the NEO for Namibia NGO has been a beacon of hope.

It was an emotional affair as various mothers gathered to share stories about their premature babies during the NGO's 10th anniversary. 

Martha Johannes had lost several pregnancies before she eventually had her premature baby. 

"My problem was that I could become pregnant. The pregnancy can last up to 8 or 7 months, and when I go for the ultrasound, the doctors inform me that the baby has no heartbeat. It's not breathing inside. They then give me tablets, and the baby comes out. It's happened almost five times. The sixth time is for this baby," she said.

The sixth time was a charm, and her baby eventually made it. She still visits the hospital's NICU unit just to thank the medical staff.

Another mother, Martha Johannes, recounts her experience of constantly having to spend time in the hospital. 

"I will be at home for about two or three weeks, and he will start getting sick again. I would go back to the hospital and get admitted. He was oxygen dependent, but our doctors and nurses were there for them, and they were working hard for our babies to survive and for them to recover and get healed."

The mothers say having a premature baby is a tough and challenging process, but it's the support from the community that really matters.