Cedarbrook Community Church, thank you for your support of mothers and their babies at Githunguchu Child Development Center, based at KAG Githunguchu Church in Kenya. Currently, 15 mothers and their babies are receiving Survival support at this church. In the photo above, a mother named Catherine cradles her baby boy named Joseph outside their home.
This report includes a letter from a caregiver, photos of recent Survival program activities and information on Compassion’s strategy for treating and preventing infant malnutrition.
Survival Statistics at Githunguchu Child Development Center (January–June 2021)
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- 17 mothers and their babies received Survival support
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- 7 Compassion-assisted births
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- 100% of babies born at a healthy weight
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- 1 baby, on average per month, treated for malnutrition
A Letter From Catherine, a Caregiver at Githunguchu Child Development Center
Dear Friends,
My name is Catherine. I am 31 years old. There are six people in my family, including four children. We came to Kenya from Uganda in search of jobs and settled in this community. My husband found work and is able to care for us. Currently, we rent a two-room house.
I was invited to be part of the Survival program when I was six months pregnant. My baby, Joseph, is now two months old. When I was invited to the program, I had been contemplating abortion, because my husband and I were not prepared to have another baby. One day, I was with a neighbor while Compassion staff were there visiting her. I felt compelled to share with them what I was going through. They were concerned and invited my husband and me to meet with them at the church the following morning.
Survival staff encouraged us to keep the baby and promised to walk with us through our journey. They advised me to begin prenatal care, which I started immediately. The church paid for all medical expenses, including ultrasounds, which I could not afford. Survival staff monitored my health each month to ensure I was progressing as I should, and they provided nutritious food, so I could be healthy during and after my pregnancy.
After three months, I delivered a 7.5-pound baby boy at a private medical facility. The Survival program covered the medical bill. After my son was born, Survival staff continued to visit each month to monitor my baby’s growth and to administer immunizations.
The program also provided me with 20 chickens that help me to generate income. Six of the chickens are laying eggs, some of which we eat and some of which we sell. Staff also taught me how to prepare well-balanced meals using nutritious foods that are inexpensive and locally available. They trained me on home management skills and provided me with seeds for gardening. I planted kale and spinach to supplement my family’s diet.
I’m also grateful, because the Survival program allows me to interact and share experiences with other mothers. This has benefited me a lot, since I’m from another community. During group programming activities, we share God’s Word together. This nourishes my spiritual life and helps me to endure hardship. God has been faithful, and I believe that all will be well in his perfect timing.
Please pray with us that the pandemic will end and that we will have a reliable source of livelihood. May God richly bless you for your continued support of the needy. I know he sees your good work.
Faithfully,
Catherine
Recent Survival Activities at Githunguchu Child Development Center
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- Caregivers attend an income-generation workshop where they learn the skills needed to work in a salon.
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- A Survival staff member monitors the blood pressure of an expectant mother during a home visit.
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- A caregiver waters carrot seedlings that she planted after receiving seeds from the church.
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- Caregivers receive maize flour at the church.
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
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!