HEALTHY MOTHERS AND HEALTHY BABIES IN BANGLADESH

We are sending a report this time from three of the mothers who have been benefiting from the medicines received from Vitamin Angels. It is the dedicated PEP workers who go village to village to bring the medicines to the poor women and to educate them about the rules for taking the medicines. Part of the donated funds help with salaries for these workers. In our next report, we would give some experiences of the field workers in providing this critical help to the poorest. The work both helps their own families to survive and it inspires them to put even more efforts to help the poor among whom they live.

Case study of Basona: 

This is Basona (30), husband: Kamal (35), of Barui Tatior village in Barhatta upazila, Netrokona district. There are 6 members in my family including my three daughters and one son. The elder daughter Farzana (8) reads in 2^nd grade, the 2^nd daughter is Liamoni (5), the 3^rd one is a son named Rifat (3) and the youngest one is daughter Rikta (1).

We are very poor family as per PEP’s re-rating list. We have no assets, no homestead or cultivable lands. My husband is a day laborer. When I was pregnant for my 4^th baby Rikta, PEP’s BIDP office supported me with multivitamin tablets from my pregnancy of 3 to 9 months, i.e. a container of 180 tablets for 6 months; also, another container of 180 tablets was provided to take after the birth of Rikta to take another 6 months. The multivitamins gave me good energy throughout the year. I was not required to take other medicines as I was very healthy by taking these tablets. It helped me also to give birth to a baby very safely. Currently, my baby and I are keeping healthy.

The social workers of BIDP office took very good care of me so that I do not make any mistake on taking medicines. My family is very grateful to have this magnificent support from BIDP, PEP and its donor Vitamin Angels.

Case study of Sonia: 

This is Sonia (19), father: Amir, of Barui Tatior village in Barhatta upazila, Netrokona district. We are three persons in our family including my husband, mother-in-law and myself. Our family is listed as very poor as per the re-rating of PEP done in mid-2015.

My husband is a day laborer, earns very poor amount of money which only helps us to survive by taking two simple meals per day. I am now pregnant. The BIDP office of PEP has provided me with a container of 180 multivitamin tablets. The workers of PEP have explained to me very well how I would take these tablets on regular basis for 6 months. As I am taking this medicine regularly my baby seems quite well. My family and I express our deep gratitude to PEP for their great support which keeps my baby and me very healthy.

Case study of Anjona: 

My name is Anjona (26), husband: Alal, of Purbogram Jongol Hati in Nikli upazila, Kishoregonj district. My family consists of 5 members including my husband and three daughters. The eldest daughter Tisa (10) reads in 3^rd grade, 2^nd daughter is Ekramuli (2.5) and 3^rd daughter is almost 6 months old.

We are listed as very poor family from the re-rating of PEP in 2015. When my 2^nd daughter was 2 years old, PEP provided her with a vitamin-A capsule and a de-worming tablet. Also, when I was pregnant for my 3^rd baby, PEP provided me with a container of 180 multivitamins to take for 6 months (from 3^rd to 9^th month of pregnancy); another container of 180 multivitamins was also provided to take for another 6 months after the birth of baby. These micronutrients helped my children and me to keep very healthy. We heartily express our gratitude to the team of PEP and its donor Vitamin Angels.