By Karen Vollaire | Marketing Assistant
We reported in our last update that Zambia’s National Food and Nutrition Commission (NFNC) made a call to action for 50 more Lifeplayer MP3s. This is because the 1000 Days of Motherhood audio programs are not only popular with mothers (and some fathers), but also results are being seen. Evaluations are being undertaken right now to document the reduction in childhood stunting and the improvments in mother’s health as a result of this wonderful, inclusive initiative.
To help Lifeline Energy raise additional funds for units, the NFNC surprised us with a video showing the mothers’ groups listening to the Bushes that Grow series on the Lifeplayers. The local language that you’ll hear being spoken is called Nyanja, one of the largest language groups in Zambia. It’s also the lingua franca next door in Malawi (where it is called ChiChewa). The video link is below.
When you watch the video, which is shot in the Eastern Province near the town of Petauke, you’ll notice people calling the Lifeplayer units, “the radios”. This isn’t uncommon for people to do so, but what they mean Lifeplayers. That is evidenced from the Lifeplayers being used in the video. Please do watch it as it will give you an excellent idea of the how the listener groups work and how our Lifeplayers have been deployed that you have helped to fund.
The Eastern Province suffers one of the country’s highest rates of childhood stunting caused by malnutrition. Earlier in the year, it also experienced a cholera epidemic, which took the lives of of an estimated 1,500 Zambians. More than 80% of the population is engaged in subsistence farming. It’s an area with low rates of literacy for women. 1000 Days of Motherhood is so critical to mothers gaining health and nutrition information to ensure that their child, from conception is healthy.
To date, NFNC surveys have revealed that around 12,560 households have been reached so far. The program will grow proportionately with the number of new Lifeplayer units. As we have noted before, they are covering all training and distribution costs so all funds that Lifeline Energy raises can go towards Lifeplayer units and memory cards.
We hope that that you enjoy the video and that you’ll continue to support this really wonderful initiative to benefit vulnerable Zambian families.
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