LUCY MANDERA COORDINATOR - SWEET MOTHER INTERNATIONAL, KAKAMEGA, KENYA DIRECTOR - UNITED AFRICAN WOMEN COMMUNITY SUPPORT GROUP
A successful rally for the campaign to
Save African Women from Pregnancy Related-Deaths (SAVE) was held in
Kakamega Kenya from the 13 -20 May 2011.
Among the programs successfully implemented by the Sweet Mother International (SMI) Team include :
EMPOWERING DRAMA: A
public drama was held to showcase the need for women to seek medical
help in hospitals/medical centers instead of patronizing local witch
doctors.
13/05/2011 - DRAMA: above is a picture demonstrating an African woman who does
not believe in HI/AIDS, but believes that she is bewitched and goes to the
witchdoctor for herbs, later dies mysteriously.
PROCESSION TO GOVERNMENT OFFICES: The SMI Team,
mobilized organizations and religious groups for a procession to
government's district offices. The procession was highly successful. In
fact, the District Officer joined the rally and passionately advocated
that action should be taken to stop women dying from simple pregnancy
complications in Kenya.
On 15/05/2011 we organized a
demonstration with 3 churches and marched to Kakamega streets in protest against the avoidable deaths of African woman from simple pregnancy complications. Inline are the Catholic ladies - in blue skirts, and
grey blouses are members of the Church of God in East Africa.
White
dress matched with the blue half jacket, are mothers Anglican Union.
On Sunday morning , Madam Lucy Mandera, SMI Kakamega Coordinator in
yellow and black checked cloth, at the Anglican Church ready to deliver her speech
on issues concerning pregnancy-related deaths.
On the 16/05/2011, Madam Lucy, Coordinator SMI Kakamega in suit skirt yellow in color, Madam D.O (District Officer) Nanganda in Black jacket outside the D.O
OFFICE where Madam Lucy gave a speech on why effective action need to be taken to stop pregnancy related deaths in Kenya. The SMI Coordinator was really welcome by the District Officer who later signed the visitors
book. Pictures shows mothers holding-up Sweet (Lollies) which symbolizesthe Sweet Mothers International Day.
SEMINAR ON TEENAGE PREGNANCY: A seminar was held to
educate under-aged girls on how to prevent teenage pregnancy. At the
seminar, issues concerning, housing, welfare, health, education and and
poverty alleviation were discussed. Everyone present acknowledged that
they really benefited from the seminar's activities and discussions.
14/05/2011 – discussions on teenage-pregnancy and how to reduce pregnancy
related deaths
BREAST FEEDING DAY: The SMI Team, also organized a
Breast Feeding Day. This event attracted mothers with their newborns.
They were all happy to breastfeed their children at the forum. Through
this event, expectant mothers and the public were educated on the
benefit of breastfeeding. Particularly, participants learned that
breastfeeding helps to enhance the health and well being of children.
For example, children receive the most complete and optimal mix of
nutrients & antibodies through breast feeding. Further, the varying
composition of breastmilk keeps pace with the infant's individual growth
and changing nutritional needs.
Sweet mothers seen with their babies,
breastfeeding.
JUSTICE IN COURT FOR RAPE VICTIMS: The SMI Team also
commenced proceedings in court to seek justice for a group of women who
have been raped (some were raped by their teachers). These matters are
pending before the court. We will update you on the court's decisions.
CARE FOR WOMEN LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS: The SMI Team in
Kakamega, Kenya, have also helped to seek medical care for women living
with HIV/AIDS. Currently, some of these women are receiving treatment in
hospitals.
The SMI Team are hopeful that kindhearted people will help.
Assistance is needed to cover the treatment costs and ongoing care
(feeding and housing) for these HIV/AIDS victims. At the moment, Madam
Lucy Mandera, the SMI Kakamega Coordinator and her team, are using their
own resources to care for these women. ( If you have the means, please
help this cause.)
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
The SMI Team is empowering groups in Kakamega Central, a sugarcane zone. Lending programmes have been activated. This program will enable individual beneficiaries start small
businesses and become self employed. Further, this business will also assist in generating income to households and to reduce poverty.
WOMEN POLITICAL PARTICIPATION 2011
Kenya will vote in 2012, August 2012 and
many women are being encouraged by the SMI Team to participate actively in the political process. For the coming elections, women being
empowered with knowledge about their rights to vote for the right candidates and to put the interest of the nation first, so as to bring progress in the community.