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 Haiti
Your gift will provide…
Here are some of the specific activities our church partners in Haiti have planned:
- Physical activities: Moms and babies will receive good medical care, including pre- and postnatal checkups for moms and regular height and weight monitoring of babies. Moms who need them will receive food kits and vitamin supplements. Babies will receive routine vaccinations on schedule, and children who need it will receive additional timely care and treatment.
- Cognitive activities: Moms and babies will meet regularly, promoting babies’ social development and encouraging early stimulation through interactive play. Moms will attend literacy classes to strengthen their reading and writing skills.
- Socio-emotional activities: Churches will celebrate special occasions including children’s birthdays and will organize other fun outings and group events. Staff will visit moms at home to work through important topics from the Survival curriculum, pray with moms and hear about their unique needs and concerns. Special care packages will be distributed to moms with newborns.
- Spiritual activities: Moms will attend Bible studies to learn about the gospel message and how it applies to their lives. Small prayer groups will meet regularly, and the church will run other evangelistic events like retreats.
- Parent and family activities: Parents will have the chance to attend seminars, retreats and other events to support healthy marriages, build parenting skills and understand their vital role in their children’s development. Moms will learn income-generating skills so they can help support their families. Families will gather at the centre to celebrate Family Day and participate in fun games and activities.
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.