Child Protection Philippines Project #56338

Mercy In Action's First 1,000 Days

by Mercy In Action Vineyard, INC

Project Report | Feb 20, 2023
A party to share about the First 1,000 Days!

By Jenny Fox | Project Assistant

Nerissa teaching about The First 1,000 Days

Dear Friends,

Thanks to your faithful donations, our First 1,000 Days program continues and is expanding!

Recently Nerissa, the head midwife and owner of a birth center we support, sent an exciting report about a teaching party she hosted. She held this party to provide education to families who were often giving birth at home unattended because there are few midwives, and families don't realize the importance of having a trained attendant at every birth. Nerissa had a vision for providing education to these pregnant mothers by hosting a 'Buntis (pregnant) Party.' Filipinos love a good party!

At the party, the participants were given packed meals, diapers, wipes, baby hats and prizes from a raffle. Nerissa and the government midwife provided entertaining teaching on a variety of topics and emphasized the importance of the First 1,000 Days. These were new ideas to many who came since they often do not have care during their pregnancy and may give birth at home unattended. The participants were so thankful for the opportunity to learn many new things and appreciated the gifts. This new knowledge can empower them to offer their babies the best start in life.

Our Mercy Kasamas continue to do home visits for families enrolled in our First 1,000 Days program to monitor and support optimal development. In December, our Mercy Kasamas presented books to the families they are serving, a meaningful way for families to encourage healthy brain development.

Thank you for making this possible! You are a valuable part of our team!

Happy reading!

Happy to read with mommy!

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Oct 25, 2022
Mercy Kasamas lead our home visit team

By Vicki Penwell | Executive Director

Meddie, one of our dedicated Mercy Kasama visitors

Mercy Kasamas are at the heart of Mercy In Action's First 1,000 Days program. These are home health visitors specially trained by Mercy In Action midwives to monitor the growth and development of the babies born in our birth centers, beginning in infancy and following each child up to their second birthday.

Mercy Kasamas weigh the babies each month, but they do so much more!

When the Mercy Kasama arrives at the home where a new baby has joined the family, they do the following:

~Ask what the infant eats, and encourage breastfeeding and safe and healthy infant feeding practices

~Ask what the baby can do, and check for developmental milestones

~Encourage parents to play and read to the baby; in fact, we give each child a book!

~Weigh the baby, and record the weight on a special growth chart. Explain to parents about the Road to Health

~Remind the parents to keep the growth chart in a safe place, and return each month to weigh their baby again

~ Pray a blessing for the family

By recruiting women from the community to train and deploy as Mercy Kasamas, we are prioritizing the health and well-being of each baby the midwives deliver in our Mercy In Action supported birth centers in the Philippines.

How can you be a part of this seachange movement to improve the lives of our babies? Two ways:

Donate: Please give generously through this GlobalGiving site (tax-deductible)

Book Drive: Between now and Christmas, could you donate one (or a stack) of children's books so that we can put a book into the hands of each new baby this coming year? Send new or gently used baby and children's books, (use low-cost media mail when sending books) to:

Mercy In Action, 3018 W. Overland Road, Boise, ID 83705 USA

Thanks and love!

the Mercy In Action Team

Links:

Mercy In Action website

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