1000 Days of Motherhood

We’re delighted to report that the cholera epidemic that plagued Zambia earlier in the year is under control.  And the primary medium that the government used to communicate with rural populations about cholera was through radio. The restrictions that were placed on group gatherings have now been lifted.  This means that the 1000 Days of Motherhood listening groups are back in action.

With Mother’s Day in less than two weeks, now it the ideal time to donate to a rural mother’s group on a waiting list for a solar Lifeplayer pre-loaded with the full 26 episodes of maternal and child health content.  The series is called Bushes that Grow are the Future Forest. Phase 2 was recently completed with 13 new segments doubling the total. The title is a direct translation from a Zambian proverb and it follows Sister Loveness, a health worker, as she travels to local hospitals, villages and markets to combat chronic malnutrition by encouraging good infant feeding practices and addressing common barriers to breastfeeding. An episode also deals with preganacy, childbirth and breastfeeding if a mother is HIV positive.

The programs were created out of a need to reach women outside of community health centers. During the formative research (which was funded by USAID), it was discovered that community members regularly turned to radio stations for health information. Health workers realized that radio would allow them to communicate important infant feeding messages to a broad audience.  However, in rural areas women typically don’t own radios and can’t easily buy batteries to power them.

This is why the National Food and Nutrition Commission (NFNC) reached out to Lifeline Energy.  Our Lifeplayer MP3 are playing an important role in providing regular access to the Bushes that Grow segments.  Mothers prefer coming together and listening in a group as opposed to trying to listen on their own. 

Please help us support rural mother’s listening groups in Zambia and help reduce childhood stunting and improve maternal and child health during the first 1000 days from conception.  Your donation can be made in the name of your mother or a mother that you wish to honor.