SWEET MOTHER INTERNATIONAL, KENYA –COAST

CAMPAIGN TO SAVE AFRICAN WOMEN FROM PREGNANCY-RELATED DEATHS (SAVE); AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROJECTS IN KENYA REPORT

PREAMBLE:

Campaign to Save African Women from pregnancy related deaths (SAVE) a Sweet mother international project is currently being implemented in Kenya Coast through Coast Youth for Change organization.  The campaigns were facilitated through organizing community forums and active school projects.

The following activities have been carried out:

COMMUNITY SENSITIZATION:
 

Harry Mwailengo facilitating a SMI campaign at Wundanyi.

On 26^th May 2011, a community sensitization session was carried out at the Wundanyi Chief Camp. Key message shared included but not limited to: SMI activities and youth empowerment programs, causes of pregnancy related deaths, HIV/AIDS, breastfeeding, and care for orphans and vulnerable children.  Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA) were encouraged to advice and promote hospital delivery.  Peer educators previously trained by Mvono Community Centre were awarded certificates and encouraged to take active roles in educating their peers groups on reproductive health issues. Among their task is to help reduce teenage pregnancy, drug abuse and the spread of HIV/AIDS.

EDUTAINMENT DURING PUBLIC HOLIDAY

SMI member educating the community using a rap song

On 1^st June 2011, during the Madaraka day public holiday held at Wundanyi Stadium, where hundreds of community members were present, SMI team through Coast Youth for Change, were granted a chance to make presentations.

The team made edutainments – using poems and rap music to educate the community about: HIV/AIDS prevention, need for girl child education, and how to reduce child mortality. The team also persuaded the youths to stop drugs abuse and join hand to promote human dignity.

Poem

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT: 

A youth one day seminar was held on 8^th June 2011, to disseminate the SMI activities among the youths and share common issues affecting the youths and plan way forward. During discussion, issues such as teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, poverty, drugs and alcohol abuse, among other cross-cutting issues were raised and shared. It was resolved that there is a need to organized more educative forums to empower the youths so that they can take active roles in the SMI campaign in the Coast Region.

Trained peer educators to join SMI team  

SCHOOL OUTREACH:
The SMI Team organized and facilitated an school outreach campaign at PJ Mwangola Secondary School. During this outreach, issues on teenager pregnancy, sexual abuse, HIV/AIDS and Drug abuse among school youths were discussed. It was proposed by the SMI team to launch SAVE school outreach campaign so as to empower many young people in the region. 

COLLABORATION ENHANCED:
The SMI Team led by project coordinator Mr, H. Mwailengo and Damon Mosley visited the Mbale Health Centre and shared the work of SMI. Mariam Senge a nurse at the facility was impressed by the mission of SMI in the region and welcomed our partnership with their health team. It was agreed they will support our activities in the region. Madam Senge, said there is a great need for SMI in the region to encourage Women to give birth in the hospital and attend pre and post natal clinic.


CHALLENGES
The following challenges were noted during the implementation of the activities:

·         Inadequate funds to organize and facilitate massive campaigns

·         Inadequate information education and communication (IEC) materials

Report compiled by:

Harry Mwailengo
Acting Coordinator

Sweet Mother International Inc
Kenya, Coast.

Email: cy4cgroup@yahoo.com