Faith, a Survival mother at ACK St. Paul’s Wandeche Church, sells vegetables and fish. Other Survival mothers support her business by buying much-needed nutritious food
for their families.
Friends at Intellitect, your gift is helping save lives and create healthier futures for mothers and babies in Kenya. Your gift is equipping five local churches in Kenya to serve mothers and babies, and we are pleased to share an update on how your gift is bringing hope and change to these vulnerable communities.
Survival Spotlight: Home Visits
Compassion Survival Specialists play a vital role in reinforcing program content so participants can begin integrating their new skills and learnings into their daily lives. Through monthly visits, Survival Specialists offer emotional and social support for both the mother and the child. The one-on-one time allows for more individualized attention and provides an extra measure of personal connection and accountability.
During these visits, the specialists check the home environment for any risks or dangers. They offer additional training in any areas the mothers may need, from breastfeeding best practices to parenting skill review. They also lead the mothers through Bible studies, encouraging church attendance and involvement. They end their time by praying with and for these moms, always inviting the Lord into this time, and always pointing them toward a deeper relationship with him.
Survival Statistics
July-December 2023
Total Babies Born, and % Healthy Birth Weight |
Pregnant Mothers Receiving Prenatal Care |
Babies, on average per month, that received malnutrition treatment |
Babies and Their Mothers Served |
Babies transitioned to the Sponsorship Program after their first birthday |
|
Africa Inland Church Ndarakwa (KE0734) |
10 babies were born and 90% had a healthy weight |
6 |
2 |
19 |
3 |
AIC Kanzinwa (KE0759) |
5 babies were born and 100% had a healthy weight |
6 |
2 |
23 |
9 |
AIC Kathonzweni (KE0778) |
4 babies were born and 100% had a healthy weight |
4 |
1 |
18 |
4 |
ACK St. Paul’s Wandeche Church (KE0828) |
No babies born during this time period |
5 |
1 |
18 |
3 |
St. Paul’s ACK Sawagongo Church (KE0813) |
4 babies born and 100% had a healthy weight |
3 |
3 |
20 |
7 |
Africa Inland Church Ndarakwa (KE0734)
Caregivers have formed savings groups, which will help them save together and provide small loans to support income generation activities.
Greetings! My name is Lucia, my child’s name is Isabel. I joined the Survival program while pregnant with Isabel, and she is now 8 months old. She is growing and developing quite well. I am grateful to God for the opportunity to be part of the program, and the Lord has been faithful.
Ever since we joined the program, my family has developed holistically: physically, cognitively and emotionally. Upon joining, I received a Bible and a daily devotional guide, which has since helped me in reading the Bible and praying every day with my family. We now attend church regularly, unlike before when we just stayed at home on Sundays. I was also encouraged to attend consistent antenatal visits and register for national health coverage, which helped facilitate some of the bills during delivery.
After my delivery, the staff made follow-up visits to help my baby exclusively breastfeed for the first six months. They also ensured that my baby received the necessary immunizations. The food supplements provided were of great help in my recovery after birth and helped me produce enough milk for my baby. The clothing the program gave me also helped keep Isabel warm. Comparing Isabel to her elder sister at this age, Isabel looks happier and healthier, and this can only be attributed to the program. I will be forever grateful.
The curriculum lessons taught during home visits and monthly programming have also continued to help me learn how best to prevent early childhood diseases. I have learned how to practice good hygiene in my home and to keep the water clean. I have also had a chance to join an savings group where we contribute an agreed-upon amount of money and save it for future use. I pray that the group grows to empower me financially in the future.
I am happy about the new friends that I have in the program as well, with whom I share my life experiences with, and we encourage each other on family and parenting matters. With the skills we have attained in beadwork, crocheting, knitting, hairdressing and cooking, we could start a business. I keep hoping and praying that I will one day start a business. I am truly appreciative of the support you have continually given us. May God truly bless you! -Lucia
AIC Kanzinwa (KE0759)
Survival caregivers celebrate one of the mother's birthday together. They are grateful for a community to share life's joys and sorrows with.
Greetings! My name is Janet, mother to Everlyne. I joined the program while 8 months pregnant, and she is now 5 months old. It is with great joy that I write this letter on behalf of the other mothers. We are all doing well, and we hope that you are well too. We are so grateful to God for his kind love and grace upon our lives.
My family’s lives have been greatly transformed. When I joined the program, I received items that would help me get ready for my child. I received a mattress, bedsheets and a solar lamp to light my house. Upon giving birth, I received a newborn kit with baby clothes, a baby bath and warm fleece. I have also been receiving nutritional supplements and soap to help improve my family’s hygiene. Through the Survival program, my baby and I both receive health screenings, which helps in early identification of diseases. In addition, we learn various things that benefit us and our families. We are taught lessons on how best we can care for ourselves and our families.
Therefore, we greatly appreciate your kind support to us and would love to share this Bible verse with you: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” (John 14:1, NIV). -Janet
AIC Kathonzweni (KE0778)
Caregivers play with their babies and learn about language development during a group meeting at the center.
I send my best regards to you in Jesus’ mighty name. My name is Esther. I am a Christian, and I am married to Kisi. Together, we are blessed with our children: Edward (11), Francis (8) and a third-born on the way. I live in eastern Kenya, three miles from the center. The neighborhood is sparsely populated and very nice and and has been able to build churches, pharmacies and nursery schools. We live in a two-room house with walls made of sticks and mud, dirt floor and grass roofing. To earn income, I normally fetch water and firewood using donkeys and sell them in a nearby shopping center. I also do farming, especially during the rainy seasons and harvest, to feed my family and sell the rest in the market for income. My husband supports us by doing day labor. Sometimes he doesn’t manage to get a job every day, but we thank God that we have never gone to sleep hungry.
Since joining the program, I have been able to attend prenatal visits and have faithfully followed advice from the doctors to ensure that my baby and I are healthy. I look forward to a safe delivery and good life after, for both me and my baby. Allow me to express my gratitude to the Survival staff for their dedication in running the program. Their words of encouragement and spiritual advice have made me a strong and confident woman. The home visits have also helped me understand the love of God and his plan over my life. Through the program, I have grown holistically. This would not have been possible without your support. I pray that the Lord blesses you, our donor, even as you serve in the Lord’s vineyard. Thank you very much! -Esther
ACK St. Paul’s Wandeche Church (KE0828)
Janet, a Survival mother, is growing cowpeas (blackeyed peas) to sell and support her family.
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ! My name is Eunice, and I am married to Rehoboam. Together, we are blessed with four children. Emmanuel, a Survival baby, is eight months now, and he is growing up well. We live in the western province of Kenya. I thank the almighty God for the opportunity to be part of the Survival program.
When I joined the Survival program while pregnant, I did not have the confidence to stand in front of people, but through the Bible study, the group activity discussions and team building activities, my self esteem has really improved. I have also received trainings on good parenting skills, which has made me a better wife and a better mother. I have gotten involved in vegetable farming to sell and assist my husband in providing for us. With the income, I am able to help buy things such as sugar, salt and cooking fat. Vegetable farming has also helped me ensure that I have vegetables for use at home instead of buying from the market. My husband does masonry work, and I am glad that through farming, I am able to assist as well. I am also in a tailoring class, and I envision buying my own sewing machine upon finishing my training in dressmaking. The trainings on proper hygiene, good nutrition, cancer prevention and food security have also helped me improve lifestyle to keep my family and I in good health. These interventions would have never been possible without your support. May God bless you. Thank you! -Eunice
St. Paul’s ACK Sawagongo Church (KE0813)
As an income generating activity, a group of mothers learn how to make cakes and cupcakes.
Greetings in Jesus’ name! My name is Pauline, the mother to Hamphrey, a Survival baby who is 11 months old. I live in Rabando village, and the community is densely populated. Agriculture, both crop and livestock farming, is most peoples’ source of living. I live in a single, old iron roofed room surrounded by a fence.
Hamphrey is the youngest in my family. He loves eating mashed potatoes. He loves seeing people around him, and he plays a lot with his sibling and other people. Hamphrey has really benefited a lot from this program, as well as my husband and I. Through the program, we are able to access quality health care, as well as monthly nutritional supplements. We have been able to learn different skills to empower us economically. We learned much about Christ through the frequent devotions and home visits. Trainings have really helped me in knowing how to raise my children well and to live in peace with my husband and the community. My husband does day labor jobs and farm activities, and I sell chapati (a flat circular fried bread). I am also train fellow Survival mothers in the neighboring center on proper bookkeeping to improve on business standards. I thank God for the program. I appreciate your support that has enabled all of this. May our good Lord bless you abundantly. -Pauline
Your Generosity Changes Lives
With your support, expectant and new mothers are receiving the care and support they need to care for themselves and their families. And new babies are receiving a range of supports to help them grow and thrive. Thank you for your loving care for the most vulnerable! May God bless you.