ODW + GHEI
Project #272 | Mother Mentor for Child Development Program
Our partnership with Ghana Health and Education Initiative (GHEI)
Ghana’s infant mortality rate has steadily declined over the last 50 years, but with 33 deaths per 1,000 live births it is still above the world average and much higher than many developed countries’ infant mortality rates. Child health and nutrition rates in Ghana similarly lag behind much of the world, with 17.5% of children 5 years and younger experiencing stunted growth. Investing in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life when proper nutrition and health interventions are most critical is a proven approach to improving health and nutrition outcomes.
One Day’s Wages partnered with Ghana Health and Education Initiative (GHEI) to support the health and cognitive development of newborn babies in Humjibre. Through our partnership, 23 first-time mothers participated in weekly education sessions led by “Mother Mentors” who counselled the women in their homes. Topics included breastfeeding, responsive feeding, disease prevention, hygiene and sanitation, play-based learning, and activities that promote babies’ cognitive stimulation. To further support families’ health outcomes, participants also received latrines, hand washing stations, food stipends, toys, books and nutrition supplements like iron and iodized salt. As a result of these comprehensive supports, the percentage of mothers who gave birth safely in a health center increased from 64% to 94%, instances of diarrhea dropped from 16% to 5.3%, and 93% of infants were exclusively breastfeed until 6 months (the national average is just 43%).
Our Collective Impact
FIRST-TIME MOTHERS WITH COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORTS FOR THEIR FAMILIES
MOTHER MENTORS TRAINED TO SUPPORT AND ASSESS FIRST-TIME MOTHERS
MOSQUITO NETS DISTRIBUTED TO PREVENT TRANSMISSION OF MALARIA
Meet Rita
As a 23-year-old first time mother, Rita was terrified when her child was born prematurely at 7 months. She and her mother approached GHEI for support. Due to the child’s weight and small size, GHEI arranged for the newborn to be transferred to a hospital with an incubator. But the baby remained unwell, and so GHEI supported Rita to transfer to yet another hospital and cover all of the hospital bills. Thankfully, her baby stabilized and is now healthy!
By participating in GHEI’s program for first time mothers, a latrine was built at Rita’s home to improve hygiene and reduce the spread of disease. Neighbors are now also using the latrine, contributing to the health and well-being of the broader community.
Rita’s mother shares: “Joining this program has been a tremendous help, especially considering I didn’t have enough money to cover all the medical expenses. With the father not claiming responsibility for the pregnancy, the burden fell solely on me. Without GHEI’s assistance, I shudder to think what might have happened to Rita and her child.”
Thank you for making this possible!
Our movement is grassroots, to us that not only means the work on the ground is led by local leaders with the support of the community, but it also means that we raise the funds for our projects through everyday donors just like you. In addition to all the donors that gave $25, $100, or $250 and the campaigners that ran a race or donated their birthday to raise funds, we also want to thank our generous business, school, and faith sponsors who believed in our work and joined the movement.
If you want to support future projects like this you can make a donation to our maternal & child health fund.
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One Day’s Wages exists to alleviate extreme poverty by investing in, amplifying, and coming alongside locally led organizations in underserved communities.
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