Mercy In Action's First 1,000 Days

As I sit down to write this report for Mercy In Action's First 1,000 Days project, I am reminded of the powerful words of the Chilean poet and Nobel Laureate Gabriele Mistral:

"Many things we need can wait.
The child cannot.
Right now is the time his bones are being formed,
his blood is being made and his senses are being developed.
To him we cannot answer "Tomorrow".
His name is "Today"

So it is with the children we are following from early pregnancy to their second birthday. The First 1,000 Days is when the most rapid brain growth occurs in every human being. It is when irreparable harm is done if there is any degree of malnutrition, either in the womb or the first two years of life on the outside. And it is when children are most at risk for tragic, untimely death due to disease, accidents and poverty if they are not protected.

Our First 1,000 Days project offers that protection.  Every pregnant woman who walks through our doors to seek maternity care is taught about the importance of this once-in-a-lifetime chance to lay the groundwork for lifelong health. Our prenatal care is high quality and free, as is the birth. Afterward, a companion is assigned to visit the family every month until the child turns two years old, or more often if needed. All this is possible because of your vision for what childhood could and should be, and your generosity to ensure we never say "Tomorrow" to the child who needs our help "Today!"

Thank you for your loving support of these precious children born in Mercy In Action sponsored birth centers in the Philippines! 

Links:

• Mercy In Action website