Mercy In Action's First 1,000 Days

Today our report is from Joy, one of the specially trained home visitors that we call Mercy Kasamas because Kasama means "companion" in Tagalog, and their role is to accompany the family through the perilous First 1,000 Days of life. Joy writes:

"My work is not just all about weighing the baby, knowing the weight if it is declining. It's all about showing care and love for the babies I've monitored. It's really overwhelming when you know you can help the baby grow with a healthy life and be there with the mother, guiding them and letting them know that they are appreciated. That's made me really like my job as a Mercy Kasama."

Joy also expresses her joy in her work: "Being appreciated by the mothers/parents of my monitored babies makes me love my job. Like they are not hesitant to tell me about their personal stories. And knowing that they are happy to see me walking into their house."

If I could help you see a bit into the role our Mercy Kasamas play in Mercy In Action's First 1,000 Days program, I am glad. Because in reality, you are a part of each home visit, as a donor to this project. In a way, you go with the Mercy Kasamas to visit the families and bring food, encouragement, healthcare, and love to each child.  Every month, our six Mercy Kasamas make approximately 375 visits to children that were born in our birth centers, and your support makes that possible.

So you are a bigger blessing than you may know! Thank you from all of us here in the Philippines!  

Love,

Vicki and the entire Mercy In Action team! 

Links:

• Mercy In Action website

A lifetime of good health must, of necessity, start at the beginning of life.

Did you realize that the First 1,000 Days begins at conception? Many people mistakenly think that the importance of good nutrition does not start until after birth, and many parents where I live believe good nutrition is most important when the child begins school. Actually, good health requires great healthcare, good food and targeted education starting in early pregnancy! 

The first 1,000 days are a crucial time for a child's development, as their brain, body, and immune system grow and develop more rapidly than at any other time in life. During the first 1,000 days, a child's brain develops exponentially, with 80% of it forming during this time. The child's sensory systems, learning abilities, memory, and information processing systems are also established. The right nutrition and care during this time can impact a child's ability to grow, learn, and escape poverty.

And that is the very thing you are a part of with your donations to this project. Mercy In Action is taking on the challenge to not only deliver babies safely but to make sure each pregnancy is well monitored, the families are educated about the importance of good food and avoiding harmful substances during pregnancy, and that a practical and evidence-based birth plan is in place long before labor begins. Then, after the baby is delivered, we have special home visitors called Mercy Kasamas who accompany the family through the first two years, ensuring that the baby is gaining weight, meeting developmental milestones, and getting healthcare and preventative checkups as needed.

The impact of this project is immense and impacts entire communities and, ultimately, the health and brainpower of entire nations. Thank you for being a member of our First 1,000 Days project team with your monthly support! 

On Giving Tuesday, which falls on December 3 this year, GlobalGiving will once again make matching donations, so every donation you give to Mercy In Action on Giving Tuesday will be magnified.

For the children! Blessings and love,

Vicki and the Mercy team

Links:

• Mercy In Action website