Community Engagement & Support
Mothers Helping Mothers
Care Groups are the heart of our community health work. These small groups of mothers meet regularly to learn practical, life-saving health information. Care Groups empower families to prevent, recognize, and treat common childhood illnesses like diarrhea, respiratory infections, and malnutrition. It's a humble idea with a big impact: mothers teaching mothers, creating healthier homes and stronger communities.
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Health Workers You Can Count On
In each partner community, trained health workers make regular home visits to pregnant women and families with young children. These visits are a chance to build trust, answer questions, and ensure every family has the information and support they need. During a home visit, the health worker might check on a newborn's weight, talk to a mother about breastfeeding, or help a caregiver recognize signs of danger in a sick child. For families who can't easily access a clinic, these visits are a lifeline, bringing knowledge, encouragement, and care directly to their door.
Community-Based Pregnancy Classes
Each month, our nurses and health educators host Pregnancy Circles - safe, supportive spaces where women come together to learn, connect, and prepare for childbirth in partner communities. These gatherings cover essential topics like healthy eating during pregnancy and the importance of prenatal care. We also talk about what to expect during childbirth and after the baby is born, so women feel more confident and prepared. Through guided breathing and movement exercises, women learn techniques to manage labor pain, and visual aids help them understand how their bodies change throughout the birthing process. More than anything, we want each woman to feel strong, informed, and ready.
Breastfeeding Support Groups
Lactation Circles are monthly gatherings in our partner communities where mothers come together to learn about breastfeeding and support each other. Led by nurses and health educators, these sessions focus on helping mothers breastfeed exclusively for the first six months of their baby's life. We talk about how often to feed, how to know if your baby is getting enough milk, and how to handle common challenges like sore nipples or low milk supply. We also share tips on staying healthy while breastfeeding and how family members can help. Most importantly, we create a warm, welcoming space where mothers can ask questions, share experiences, and feel confident in caring for their babies.
Supporting Health in Local Schools
Each month, our team engages students at elementary and middle schools in health classes. Topics range from handwashing and nutrition to mental health, self-esteem, and gender equality. As students learn how to care for their bodies and minds, they also gain the confidence to make healthy choices and share what they've learned at home. By reaching young people early, we help instill lifelong habits and build a foundation for healthy families and communities in the years to come.
A study on water safety showed that over half of the schools we serve lack access to clean drinking water. In 2023, we launched a WASH in Schools program with support from the Force for Good Foundation that brings clean drinking water and improved hygiene infrastructure to elementary schools.