In the photo above, a Survival Specialist shares information on parenting with a mother at Eglise du Pentecote (TG0221).
Church at Brook Hills, your continued support of mothers and their babies at nine church partners in Togo is transforming lives and paving the way to a brighter future. Because of your generosity, babies are beginning their lives as treasured members of the Compassion family. For many years to come, they will have the opportunity to benefit from a wide range of benefits, including access to medical care, educational support and regular nutritious meals. Compassion and its church partners are committed to caring for them through childhood and adolescence, until they are ready to spread their wings as independent adults.
This update covers recent Survival progress at three centers you support: Eglise Pentecote (TG0221), Eglise du Pentecote du Togo (TG0224) and Eglise Baptiste Evangelique (TG0524).
The Impact of Your Gift
With your support, babies and new mothers are starting down a road that leads to a better life. Mothers are learning income-generation skills, building supportive friendships with other mothers, and they are learning that Jesus’ unconditional love can transform their lives. Thanks to you, they are being empowered to create an environment where their beautiful babies will thrive.
Survival Activities at Eglise Pentecote (TG0221)
Currently, 15 babies and their mothers participate in the Survival program at Eglise Pentecote. This church partner serves a community of 15,000 residents in extreme poverty on the plains of Togo. The community lacks potable water and there is a high mortality rate for mothers and infants. Malaria is a common health problem. Adults work as subsistence farmers, markets traders or plantation workers. The average household income is the equivalent of $25 per month.
Ministry Progress at Eglise Pentecote
July – December 2021
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- 23 babies and their mothers received care
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- 1 baby was born; birth weight was healthy
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- 3 babies, on average per month, treated for malnutrition
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- 8 babies celebrated their first birthdays and transitioned to Compassion’s Sponsorship Program
Ama is a mother who participates in Survival activities at Eglise Pentecote. She shares how the Survival program has made a difference in her life:
“After joining the Survival program, I gave birth in a hospital for the first time. Previously, I gave birth to five children at home because we couldn’t afford to go to a hospital.
I have started to attend church and my relationship with God is growing. I have learned so much and I am able to take good care of my daughter and my family relationships have improved.
I sincerely want to thank the partners and donors who spare no effort to help us. May the Lord bless them and may he make the works of their hands bear fruit; may he protect them and their families.”
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- Ama and her infant daughter participate in Survival activities at TG0221.
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- A mother reviews a lesson on behavior in young children. The course includes Biblical guidance on showing love and patience, along with practical information on safety and establishing routines.
Survival Activities at Eglise du Pentecote du Togo (TG0224)
Currently, 14 babies are their mothers participate in the Survival program at Eglise du Pentecote du Togo. The church serves a small community of 550 residents in extreme poverty on the rural plains. The community has high rates of infant and maternal mortality. There is limited access to healthcare and women often experience complications during childbirth. Malaria and waterborne diseases are common health problems.
The average family income is equivalent to $16 per month. Typical homes have dirt floors, mud walls and thatched roofs.
Ministry Progress at Eglise du Pentecote du Togo
July – December 2021
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- 21 babies and their mothers received care
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- 7 babies, on average, were exclusively breastfeeding
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- 4 babies, on average per month, were treated for malnutrition
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- 7 babies celebrated their first birthdays and transitioned to Compassion’s Sponsorship Program
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- A Survival Specialist meets with new mothers to share the importance of infant vaccinations. In many areas of the world, infants needlessly die from preventable diseases.
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- Mothers gather with their infants to listen to a radio broadcast on the benefits of breastfeeding.
Survival Activities at Eglise Baptiste Evangelique (TG0524)
Currently, 15 babies and their mothers participate in Compassion Survival at Eglise Baptiste Evangelique. The church serves a village of 800 residents in southwest Togo. Typical homes are constructed of dirt floors, mud walls and thatched roofs. The rural community needs safe water, electricity, schools and a hospital. Due to a lack of employment opportunities, adults work as subsistence farmers and the average household income is the equivalent of $8 per month.
Ministry Progress at Eglise Baptiste Evangelique
July – December 2021
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- 23 babies and their mothers received care
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- 6 babies, on average, were exclusively breastfeeding
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- 2 babies, on average per month, were treated for malnutrition
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- 7 babies celebrated their first birthdays and transitioned to Compassion’s Sponsorship Program
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- Mothers attend a workshop on the many benefits of breastfeeding.
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- A Survival Specialist visits a mother and baby in their home. The topic of the home visit was the importance of exploring art and music to encourage creativity in children.
Survival Program Spotlight: Treating and Preventing Malnutrition
Malnutrition is an underlying cause in more than a third of all deaths of children under five (UNICEF). These deaths can be attributed to stunting, severe wasting and restricted growth inside the womb. But most of these deaths can be prevented through proven and simple interventions. With this in mind, the Survival program incorporates several key services to preserve the physical well-being of these precious little ones:
- Therapeutic feeding services
- Education on preparing healthy, balanced meals
- Provision of food packs that include essential nutrition and vitamin supplements
- Promotion of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life
- Regular monitoring of each baby’s height and weight
A healthy birth weight is critical to a baby’s survival. By focusing on caregiver nutrition through prenatal care and nutritious food, newborns registered with Survival have up to a 30% better likelihood of having a normal birth weight.
Thank You for Your Support
Church at Brook Hills, your gifts are helping to create healthier lives for mothers and babies. May the Lord bless you as you have blessed those in need. Thank you for partnering with Compassion International!