Helping moms & babies in the Dominican Republic

The Need

Of the 5.2 million children who die around the world each year, 75 per cent die in the first year of life. Babies are at risk of death due to premature birth complications, complications during childbirth, infections, pneumonia and diarrhea. But this is preventable. With training and support, moms in poverty can be empowered to raise healthy and happy babies.

Our Response

Critical care
Your support helps secure access to pre- and postnatal care, skilled birth attendants and medical intervention when necessary.

Home-based care
Mothers are visited in their homes monthly by a Survival specialist, who offers education in prenatal care and early child-rearing as well as one-on-one biblical mentoring.

Group-based learning
At these church-based activities, moms learn skills to earn an income and gain vital knowledge including basic literacy, the importance of breastfeeding and how to prevent malnutrition and disease. These groups combat isolation through a supportive community of mothers who, together, learn about the God who loves them.

Dominican Republic Stats

Activities

Group activities: Moms attended group activities, workshops and teaching sessions on topics like healthy parenting methods, family communication, the importance of parents in a child’s life, preventing abuse, early childhood development and health and hygiene. Moms enjoyed learning from staff and spending time sharing their joys and challenges with others in the program. Mothers also participated in celebrations such as International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day.

Food and hygiene kits: Survival families joyfully received food baskets containing nutritious food items to use for everyday cooking. This made it possible for caregivers to prepare nutritious meals and snacks for their children and for pregnant and postpartum women to get all the nutrients they needed during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Program staff also distributed hygiene kits containing items such as soap, shampoo and towels.

Income generation: Program staff conducted income-generating workshops for mothers to learn how to start their own businesses and to develop practical skills in areas such as cooking and handicraft making. During classes, participants were excited to improve their skills and learn more about entrepreneurship.

Physical health: Babies and children in the program received medical check-ups including height and weight checks to track their growth and development. Pregnant women and moms had access to health care and received check ups and exams when sick. Program staff taught lessons on important health topics such as newborn hygiene, the importance of physical exams and preventing illnesses such as dengue fever. Staff also handed out mosquito nets and repellent to families.

Childhood development: Survival moms learned how to promote their child’s early development through healthy parenting practices, play and stimulating exercises and activities. Caregivers were taught the importance of healthy emotional expression and how to encourage their child’s emotional development and growth as well as their physical and cognitive growth.

Home visits: Program staff fostered relationships with each participating mother and their family through home visits. Staff members checked in on each family, provided teachings based on each family’s needs and offered guidance and support. Mothers and staff members prayed together and received one-on-one spiritual support. Pregnant mothers also learned more about what to expect during each stage of pregnancy as well as during labour, birth and postpartum.

Project Stats

This intervention addressed: