The most vulnerable people in the world are babies.
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.
How does Compassion help moms and babies survive?
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.
Survival in Ecuador
Your gift will provide…
Here are some of the specific activities our church partners in Ecuador have planned:
- Physical activities: Babies will be weighed and measured each month, and routine medical checkups will be provided for mom and baby, including prenatal and postnatal care. Babies will receive vaccinations, and moms will learn about topics related to health, hygiene and babies’ stages of development. Moms will also receive essential food items each month.
- Cognitive activities: We will provide early stimulation activities through the use of colour, shape, size and language to support babies’ cognitive development and fine motor skills.
- Socio-emotional activities: Moms will attend motivational talks on self-esteem, child protection and their rights. They will enjoy fun games and activities as a group, including sports, special outings and celebrations on birthdays and other special occasions.
- Spiritual activities: Moms will attend Bible study classes, and during home visits staff will spend time doing devotional lessons. The church will also provide evangelistic activities so moms can hear the gospel.
- Parent and family activities: Couples will be able to attend workshops to help support their marriages and build healthy, stable homes. Income-generating workshops will help moms learn new skills so they can help support their families.
With your help, we can give babies born into poverty the essential care they need, help their mothers properly care for them during the critical prenatal months and first year of life, and set them on the path to a fulfilled life in Jesus Christ.