Church at Brook Hills, we are honored to bring you updates from four of the Survival centers you support in Burkina Faso. We are so grateful for your partnership with Compassion in releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name. Included in this report is an update on recent Survival activities at BF0113, BF0114, BF0680 and BF0401. We hope that you are encouraged as you see the impact of your giving! Women at the Survival centers you support are being empowered as they learn skills and gain resources to support their families. Caregivers are finding fellowship and life-giving community with each other, and growing in faith as they see God’s provision.
Survival Statistics in Burkina Faso (April – September 2019)
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- 3,550 Mothers and their babies received Survival services
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- 128 compassion-assisted births occurred
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- 92.4% Births at normal weight were recorded
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- 58 churches implement Survival services
Recent Activities at BF0113
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- A mother and her child sit at the market and sell taro. This allows her to generate income for her family.
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- A Survival specialist gives a lesson to a caregiver and her partner in their home.
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- A Doctor gathers information from a caregiver about her baby. Medical check-ups occur twice a year.
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- A baby is fed porridge with enriched flour to facilitate healthy growth and development.
Recent Survival Activities at BF0114
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- Caregivers learn how to make soumbala, which is a traditional west African condiment made of néré seeds.
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- A 6-month old beneficiary is examined by a nurse at a medical center to ensure he is the proper height and weight for his age.
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- A Survival specialist leads a nutrition seminar for mothers with babies below the average weight for their age.
In Her Own Words: A Letter of Hope from a Caregiver at BF0114
My name is Ouangrawa. I am registered in the early childhood Survival program at BF0114. I registered in the program during my pregnancy. I currently live with my uncle and three children in a two-room house. The father of my first two children died of HIV. I am also infected but my children are not. My second partner abandoned me during my pregnancy after discovering my condition.
Registering in the Survival program is an answer to my prayers. I was helpless in my circumstances and life used to be very difficult for me. I wondered how I would take care of my children and I had many questions about the future. I thank God infinitely for this program because I benefit from complete care in health, nutrition and advice. Every month I receive food such as rice, beans, oil, milk, cereal and pasta.
I also benefit from group and home lessons, and I learn a lot through these times. I learned to overcome my situations and lessen my stress. I used to live in bitterness, cry a lot, and not see a future for myself or my children. But now, my resilience is strengthened. I also learned about the importance of prenatal consultations. I did my best to attend all of my appointments and put into practice the instructions from the midwives for the well-being of my baby. Praise God that after my delivery, my child’s HIV test was negative.
I thank the Lord for the Survival program. I am peaceful and confident about the future because I know that God is watching over me and my children. I pray that he will abundantly bless all the supporters of this program.
I would like to ask you to pray for me. Please pray that the Lord will give me courage to testify and share the gospel to give the same hope to others that I’ve experienced.
Mothers Learn about Health and Wellness at BF0401
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- Mothers attend a lesson on the importance of hygiene in preventing disease.
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- A Survival specialist makes a home visit to a caregiver and her baby. During home visits, Survival specialists cover a variety of topics concerning health and spiritual growth.
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- Mothers learn about infant nutrition, and the importance of breastfeeding for the first 6 months of their baby’s life.
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- A Survival specialist visits a mother who is a seamstress. They discuss topics on child development.
Medical Care and Nutrition Provided to Caregivers at BF0680
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- A Survival specialist visits a mother in her home to ensure that her baby is a healthy weight and height. Additionally, she gives a lesson on, “Creating a Relationship Between Child and Mother.”
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- Babies are measured for their height and weight each month through the Survival program.
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- Mothers receive corn to add nutritional value to their meals.
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- Babies receive Vitamin A supplements. Although this baby is upset when taking her pill, she is in good health.