Africa Inland Church Ndarakwa Survival Update | Fall 2021

Pictured above: Survival caregivers from Africa Inland Church Ndarakwa work on a beading project at the church.

Ministry Progress at Africa Inland Church Ndarakwa (January – June 2021)
Survival Program Spotlight: Malnutrition Prevention and Treatment

Malnutrition is an underlying cause in more than a third of all deaths of children under 5 (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

Additionally, a healthy birth weight is critical to a baby’s survival and malnutrition prevention. By also 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.

Renewing Hope for Ann

Greetings in the name of Jesus,

My name is Ann, and my son is named John. I joined the Survival program when I was pregnant in March 2020. I am thankful to the church because of how they showed love to me after joining the program. Even though I joined during the COVID-19 pandemic, the church made every effort to ensure that my family and I were safe. I am thankful for all of the support I’ve received. When my baby was born, I was taught the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. I also learned how to feed my baby with complementary foods after six months. I received a book called, “First 1000 Days Mother Guide” which is in Swahili, and it is a great help to me. I also learned about the importance of immunizations and growth monitoring.

I have benefited very much from the program. I received a Bible, which helps me and my family. I have learned many skills at the center. These skills are soap making, carpet making, cooking, knitting and bead work. These income-generating activities are very important to me because they have helped my family financially. I have learned about many things from the curriculum lessons and trainings at the center such as child care, family planning, keeping the home and the compound clean, and how to interact with other people. I have also been taught how to protect my family members from disease by helping them to observe hygiene practices such as cleaning their hands and eating clean food. Thank you again, and I pray that God blesses you so much.

Sincerely,
Ann

*Letter edited for clarity.

Photos of Recent Activities

Click the arrow on the right side of the image to view a gallery of recent photos from Africa Inland Church Ndarakwa.

Caregivers participate in a cooking class at the church.
Mothers gather at the church for a group meeting. They learn various income-generating skills that will help them support their families.
Caregivers learn the skill of beading and how to create different objects to sell such as necklaces, ornaments, baskets and purses.
During a group meeting at the church, caregivers take notes as a Survival Specialist gives a presentation on an early childhood development topic.
Caregivers make baskets out of beads.
Caregivers participate in a cooking class at the church.
Thank You

IntelliTect, your continued gifts help create healthier lives for mothers and babies. Thank you for being part of empowering the local church to reflect Christ to the most vulnerable. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.