Helping moms & babies in the Dominican Republic
You are changing the lives of moms and babies. Here’s how.
The Need
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.
Our Response
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.
Dominican Republic Stats
Average number of children in household | 4 |
Average age of first-time mothers | 21 |
Births attended by skilled health personnel | 70 |
Stunted growth from malnutrition | 6 |
Activities
Health and hygiene: Babies received routine medical checkups, including weight and height measurements, and those presenting signs of malnutrition were given additional treatment. Moms learned the importance of early vaccinations and how to protect their families from waterborne illnesses by treating and storing water safely. Moms also learned about HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.
Nutrition: Moms were given monthly food packages filled with nutritious staples to support their families’ dietary needs and prevent malnutrition. They learned the importance of proper nutrition during pregnancy and early childhood and how to prepare balanced meals using locally available ingredients. Moms also learned how to identify and treat common food allergies and how to prepare food safely at home.
Home visits: Survival implementers visited moms in their homes, allowing them to identify and meet each family’s unique needs. These visits allowed staff the chance to build trust with moms and offer emotional and spiritual support. Staff encouraged moms and helped them see their valuable role and responsibility within the home. New moms received a newborn care package containing essential items for both moms and babies. Moms learned to create a loving and stable home for their children to thrive.
Entrepreneurship: Moms attended income-generating workshops where they learned practical skills and gained valuable business knowledge to help them succeed. Some moms have already launched their own small businesses, which are helping support their families financially. These efforts boost household income, empower moms and build their self-confidence, setting an example for their children to follow.
Early stimulation: Moms learned how to support their babies’ physical and cognitive development by communicating effectively through talking, singing, playing and making eye contact. These activities promote healthy brain development and social activity in babies, while also helping moms build a strong bond with their little ones from an early age.
Group meetings: Moms met regularly at the centres each month to learn lessons from the Survival curriculum and to celebrate special occasions. Moms read the Bible and prayed together and were given Bibles so they could study God’s Word at home. Staff taught lessons on topics such as parenting with love and maintaining healthy relationships in the home. Moms also learned about child protection and their role in preventing and protecting children from child abuse.
Project Stats
This intervention addressed:
Full-term births | 19 |
Illness subc: Anemia | 1 |
Pregnancies | 10 |
Breastfeeding Moms | 12 |
Malnourished Babies - Severely Underweight | 36 |
Attended births | 19 |
Premature births | 2 |
Malnourished Babies - Moderately Underweight | 13 |
Normal birth weights | 17 |
Low birth weights | 5 |
ReportA message from a pastor
On behalf of our congregation, receive a cordial greeting in the fraternal love that unifies us in Jesus Christ. I wish that His grace will fill you with great blessings ‘til it overflows.
We as a church want to express our deepest gratitude for the time that we have been partnering together and for the support you have given us through the Survival program. It has been an honour to have collaborated with you and to gain the knowledge and experiences that have directly impacted our staff.
The program has been an instrument of blessing for many families. Through this program, our church has received the opportunity to get in contact directly with these families and introduce the gospel to them, which is the principal work to do. We know that each one of the beneficiaries feels proud because the program has positively impacted them and their families’ lives. We are witnesses of how, in many of them, their way of living has seen positive changes through the different areas worked on in the program, such as health, nutrition, education, spiritual growth and technical-vocational classes, which were so relevant for their personal and spiritual development. For us it is a great satisfaction; we feel successful by seeing these goals achieved all because of the Survival program.
There have been many challenges and difficulties, but at the end we believe there are satisfactory results. The moms and babies are their own proof of it. You have played an important role with your support, dedication, and follow-up. We are grateful for all the training for our work to improve and to be able to reach our goals.
During the time we have been working with you, we have been able to develop both personally and professionally. Just as the families were benefited by the program, our staff, who were collaborating with their unconditional service, were blessed with the trainings they received. We know this will be useful to continue the work in the church.
Thanks for the opportunities given by your constant support. We won’t forget the experiences shared and the moments lived. Thanks for believing in us, for giving support to improve the way of living of many families and, above all, saving the children from poverty in the name of Jesus. That is our main commitment. I wish you the best in your future projects.
ReportA message from those your gift helped
My name is Juana. The centre has affected my life and my child’s life in a positive way. Thanks to God, the Survival program has been a great blessing and has helped me to develop as a useful person for my community and my family, strengthening my faith in Jesus in a great way.
I thank God and Survival for the care I received during the whole process of my pregnancy, which helped me and my baby to have good health. This program provided me with emotional, spiritual and economic help. I thank the Survival staff for all the love we received and the help we needed for a good development and a happy pregnancy.
My favourite activities at the centre are the training workshops I receive. They help me to stay optimistic and positive to keep moving forward in life and to overcome obstacles in the name of Jesus. I also like the orientation and health talks that help me to stay alert and healthy.
The workshops and training have motivated me to start my own business, to empower myself in life and move forward with my baby with the help of God.
I thank the Survival staff for telling me about God and Jesus. It has helped me to activate my faith and to believe more in the Almighty.
Thank you so much, Survival program, staff and donors!