Mercy In Action's First 1,000 Days

Hi Friends,

“Nothing is hard if you love your work,” was the comment one of our Mercy Kasamas recently  (Mercy Kasamas are the community health workers we have specifically trained to serve families in the First 1000 Days program we run-- Kasama means companion in the Philippine language).   The perils of barking dogs, difficult travel, and hot or wet weather do not deter Kasamas as they passionately serve families.  The work of a Mercy Kasama is multi-faceted as they visit families each month to monitor the growth and development of the babies born in our birth centers. They encourage the families for two full years after birth. We have seven full-time Mercy Kasamas on our staff at this time, and it is a significant job for them, helping lift their own families out of poverty as well as helping their neighbors.

Recently, one of our Mercy Kasamas guided a family whose child had an illness to their local clinic so they could get the care they needed.  She encouraged the hardworking couple: the father is a fisherman, and the mother takes in laundry to earn a little money. This family also has a small backyard garden to supplement their daily food, so they can cook nutritious meals for their young family.  All of our Mercy Kasamas support breastfeeding for all mothers and have helped many mothers through challenges. The support of Mercy Kasamas has kept many children on the road to health during their First 1000 Days!

Thank you for your generous support that makes it possible for our Mercy Kasamas to continue working beside our midwives and walking with families to keep children thriving in their First 1,000 Days!

Blessings to you,

Jenny Fox, for the Mercy in Action Team

Links:

• Mercy in Action