For many families in developing countries, the proximity of the closest health clinic can mean the difference between life and death for their children. In the Zambian village of Lengwe, mothers are benefiting from a new clinic built and run with the help of World Vision.

Mavis knows all about how a health clinic can affect her children's chance of survival. Until recently, if there were complications with childbirth it would mean a 25km journey to Kawambwa Hospital. Without a car. And her village of Lengwe would regularly battle with easily preventable diseases - such as malaria, diarrhea and chest infections.

Pelpis, Mavis' youngest child, was the first of her three children to have been born in the new Kabile Clinic of Zambia. Because the hospital is so far away, her previous two children were born at home with the help of a traditional birth attendant.

Mavis was fortunate that her first 2 births were trouble free. But Pelpis was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck and without the specialist care of the clinic, he would not have survived his birth.

Since his birth, Mavis has taken Pelpis to regular check-ups, and he's been immunised from diseases that until recently were often fatal in Lengwe. Mavis is also being advised on family planning that will help her take control of her family's growth.

People can come to the clinic, but also, the clinic will go to them. Edward Banda is a registered nurse whose cycling ability has saved children. "If someone is experiencing a difficult birth, I cycle 12-15 kilometres and then use the radio to get an ambulance from Kawambwa," he says.

Edward lives near the clinic so he is on call whenever an emergency occurs. Without the benefits of mobile phone coverage and very few ambulances, Edward's bicycle is the only way to get help in a hurry.

Still, other resources are limited, and this frustrates Edward: "We have four beds in total. We see 300-400 people per month in the clinic. Sometimes people lie on the floor. "

You can find out what you can do to help nurses like Edwards and mothers like Mavis with more accessible healthcare by getting involved in our Child Health Now campaign.