Child development centres: GU0418, GU0937 and GU0460
This initiative will help: 45 moms and their babies
The most vulnerable people in the world are babies.
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.
How does Compassion help moms and babies survive?
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.
Survival in Guatemala
Average number of children in household: 3
Births attended by skilled health personnel: 70%
Number of infant deaths per 1,000 births: 19
Stunted growth from malnutrition: 44%
Your gift will provide…
Here are some of the specific activities our church partners in Guatemala have planned:
- Physical activities: We will provide moms with prenatal checkups and postpartum care. Babies will receive medical exams, vaccinations and weight and height monitoring. We will educate moms on the importance of breastfeeding, good hygiene habits and nutrition. Moms will also receive monthly food baskets so they can provide nutritious food for their families.
- Cognitive activities: Moms will learn how to stimulate their children’s holistic growth through age-appropriate stimulation activities, promoting their children’s motor and communication skills. During both home visits and group activities, staff will encourage caregivers to parent with love and to practice self-care.
- Socio-emotional activities: We will show moms how to build strong bonds with their babies and develop their social skills through activities like massage, music and group activities. Moms and babies will learn to develop healthy relationships with peers through fun celebrations such as birthday parties, baby showers, Mother’s Day and Children’s Day.
- Spiritual activities: During group meetings and home visits, caregivers will attend Bible lessons, pray together and participate in devotionals. Staff will teach moms spiritual practices that will help them grow their faith. They will also read the Bible and sing worship songs to babies. Moms will have the opportunity to dedicate their babies to God at the church and caregivers will be invited to attend spiritual retreats.
- Parent activities: Moms will attend income-generating workshops so they can provide for their families. Caregivers will also learn to develop healthy relationships within their family units to create unity in the home.
With your help, we can give babies born into poverty the essential care they need, help their mothers properly care for them during the critical prenatal months and first year of life, and set them on the path to a fulfilled life in Jesus Christ.