Report by:

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 symbolizes  the 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.