From Fragile Foundations to a Brighter Future
A 1,000 day journey of development
The first 1,000 days of a baby’s life are extremely fragile. These formative years, from conception to age two, set the foundation for the rest of their lives and even the lives of future generations. Their ability to grow, learn and flourish are directly linked to these initial days, with good healthcare and nutrition laying the building blocks for development and strength.
Exposure to malnutrition and stress can stall a baby’s development, stunting their growth or placing them in critical conditions. Irreversible damage to their cerebral development and physical growth can leave them at a disadvantage as they mature, and has enduring effects that can be passed down for generations. Worldwide, every minute, 8 babies die and every two minutes, a mother dies in childbirth.
Unfortunately, this is the reality that many mothers and babies have to endure in Kenya and Pakistan. Dahabah, a mother from Kenya, knows first-hand the hardships that these 1,000 days can bring if they are not handled with the proper care.
During her first pregnancy, she had major complications and ended up going through a very painful home labour that lasted four days, with severe bleeding and complications. She was afraid for her and her baby’s life. Due to the difficult labour and absence of a doctor, Dahabah’s son was born with disabilities and also suffers from epilepsy.
This suffering is more than any mother and child should have to face. But where there is fragility, we can build strength. Creating a safe and nurturing environment for mothers and babies can improve their overall health and give these young ones a chance at a brighter future.
Dahabah is now pregnant again, seven months along. She visits the hospital frequently for her antenatal care check-ups and is planning to give birth at the hospital. Dahabah is receiving medication, immunisation and advice on exercise and nutrition from her doctor, assuring that mother and baby are healthy.
Our Fragile Lives appeal helps women like Dahabah have happy, healthy babies and provides life-saving medical care, nutrition and long-term support. We work closely with local midwives, nurses and doctors to provide families with vital services and knowledge.
In addition to medical assistance, we also help mothers to address the issues of malnutrition, hunger. Good nutrition sets the course for life-long health and enables these families to flourish. We are working to break the cycle of malnutrition and poverty by helping mothers learn important agricultural skills and put them to use in their own businesses so they can put food on the tables for years to come.
You can provide a mother with the tools to build a brighter future for her family, by donating just £300 to our Fragile Life Changer sustainable livelihood programme. This programme provides women with training in agricultural methods, animal protection, bee-keeping, drought resistant farming and water preservation. They can then use these skills to set up their own businesses that will put food on the table for decades to come.
The UK government will match your donation and also give £300 to help even more mothers in Pakistan and Kenya!
The first 1,000 days of a baby’s life are so important to their futures, and if we can break the cycle of fragility, then we can help build a strong foundation. We are supporting mothers and babies in Pakistan and Kenya to not only survive, but to thrive by supplying them with food baskets, home delivery kits, and healthcare and medicine through our Fragile Lives appeal.
You can help save these fragile lives, and give mothers like Dahabah and their babies the strength to live happy, healthy lives.
Donate before June 9th to our Fragile Lives Appeal and the UK Government will DOUBLE your donation to save lives in Kenya and Pakistan, helping to make double the difference for the mothers and babies that desperately need your help!
MONDAY 6 MAY 2019
