Northbrook Church, 49 babies and mothers are developing well and learning new skills thanks to your generous support of two Survival programs in the profoundly impoverished Morazán community in El Salvador. Your partnership with Compassion, Iglesia Misión Cristiana Elim and Iglesia Nueva Jerusalén de Asambleas de Dios is extending God’s love and grace to vulnerable families in practical, hands-on ministry through the Survival programs.
Pictured above are Jenifer (see letter below) and her son Christopher in front of their home.
Ministry Progress at Two Survival Centers
You Support in El Salvador
July 2023 – March 2024
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- 49 babies and mothers served
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- 13 pregnant mothers received prenatal care
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- 7 babies were born; 100% had a healthy birth weight
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- 20 babies transitioned to the Child Sponsorship Program
Location, Location, Location
El Salvador — about the size of Massachusetts — is the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America. Surfers love its coastline, and nature lovers appreciate that it’s home to about 500 species of birds, 1,000 species of butterflies and 400 species of orchids. Of the world’s seven species of sea turtles, four make their home on the Salvadoran coast. This beautiful country also boasts 23 active volcanoes and more than 300 rivers.
However, located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, El Salvador is also one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, susceptible to flooding, landslides, severe droughts, earthquakes and volcanic activity. Nearly the entire population is exposed to these hazards that can lead to catastrophic losses in lives, homes, businesses and crops. After a major storm or earthquake, jobs are lost, wages fall and more people suffer from severe food insecurity.
The poorest families live in the most hazardous locations. Their ability to recover from losses diminishes with each flood, landslide or earthquake. Mothers and their babies are most vulnerable to these threats to life and well-being.
Your support of two Survival programs in El Salvador brings these moms and babies greater stability, health, and hope for a brighter future.
Caregiver Jenifer Marvels at the Iglesia Misión Cristiana Elim Survival Program
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am 21 years old, and my son Christopher is 10 months old. He is sometimes a little serious, but he is friendly. When he came into my life, he brought a lot of joy and inspiration to our home.
I am very happy that God has allowed me to belong to the Survival program and that you have blessed us through your support of our program.
The Survival program helps me in several areas. It helps me with lab tests and medical checkups. The staff monitors my baby’s growth, and gives us supplemental food and hygiene items.
My son is alert, and our early childhood development activities have helped him have good coordination, such as clapping when he hears songs. He is very healthy and does not get sick, thanks to the program and, above all, to my God, who takes care of us.
The program workshops have made a big impact on me. We learned to make liquid soap and shampoo without salt, which I found very interesting. We also made a sensory toy, which I liked being able to make myself with recyclable materials. The staff also teaches us marriage topics.
The Christmas party is very special along with the birthday celebrations the staff holds at the center for both the mothers and children. It is nice because the celebrations include the whole family.
Every blessing the staff gives us is a marvel. It is wonderful to belong to this Survival program.
It has been a great pleasure to tell you about my son and myself and to share how God is blessing us through your support of the program. God will reward what you do for our program.
Please pray that God will take care of my great-grandmother Maura and give her health. Please pray as well for my family’s safety and health and for God to bless the children of our child development center and the children of our community.
With love,
Jenifer
Dinora Shares About Her Baby’s Progress at Iglesia Nueva Jerusalén de Asambleas de Dios
“The Survival program is a blessing with many benefits that are very important for my baby. Today, my son Axel can stand and walk with help. He can imitate sounds, say some words and understand simple commands. He smiles and laughs and plays simple games like hide-and-seek. I thank you very much for all you are doing in our babies’ lives.”
Dinora and her son Axel
Recent Survival Activities at Iglesia Misión Cristiana Elim
Following a church service, moms receive a toy to help their babies learn new sounds, colors and textures.
Parents dedicate their baby to being raised in the church, thanking God for their child and praying for wisdom in parenting.
Survival staff identify various forms of child abuse and discuss its social, emotional and cognitive consequences on child development.
Moms celebrate their babies’ first birthday at a recreation center, where they enjoyed cake, fellowship and a devotional led by the Survival Specialist.
Recent Survival Activities at Iglesia Nueva Jerusalén de Asambleas de Dios
A health worker leads a program on family planning, the ideal age range for childbearing, and prenatal health care.
To celebrate Family Day, all the families in the program go to an aquatic park and recreation area.
Moms receive mosquito nets from Survival staff to prevent illnesses including malaria, zika and dengue fever.
Mothers enjoy an income-generating workshop on how to prepare and use creams and conditioners to style customers’ hair.
A Big Leap Forward
When babies reach their first birthday, it’s cause for celebration! Through your support of two Survival programs, 20 healthy, happy babies are transitioning into Compassion’s home-based Sponsorship Program. Mothers and families will continue to receive home visits and holistic care from staff and the participating churches. Sponsors will encourage and help guide these children as they grow and develop. Pictured below are just a few of these babies and their mothers.
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- Belen
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- Christopher
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- Dayana
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- Elizabeth
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- Evelin
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- Ezequiel
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- Jhordy
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- Josué
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- Maryleysi
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- Merci
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- Otilia
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- Yaritza
Survival Program Spotlight: Breastfeeding
UNICEF has called breastfeeding a “natural safety net against the worst effects of poverty” due to its ability to protect babies and mothers from life-threatening diseases and to affordably set them up for a healthy future. Unfortunately, many mothers in poverty today face overwhelming obstacles to successful breastfeeding. Malnutrition can diminish a new mother’s recovery and milk production, impeding her ability to meet her body’s nutritional demands following pregnancy and to adequately feed her baby. And even for women who have enough to eat, social stigmas and a lack of education can serve as insurmountable barriers for women who might otherwise access the health and economic benefits that breastfeeding offers.
By educating new mothers about breastfeeding and helping them establish a positive breastfeeding connection with their baby, the Survival program eliminates harmful stigmas and supports the health of little ones in their most vulnerable months of life.
Healthy Babies, Happy Moms
Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. — Proverbs 25:25, NIV
Northbrook Church family, your support of vulnerable babies and mothers living in extreme poverty in El Salvador continues to significantly impact their lives. You embody the love of Jesus in your caring response to help equip local churches to meet moms’ and babies’ critical needs. We are proud to partner with you in working to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name.