First 1,000 Days of Life

Did you know:

-the first 1,000 days refers to conception through the 2nd birthday

-during the first 1,000 days the brain grows more quickly than at any other time in a person’s life

-at the 4th week of pregnancy, the baby’s brain has about 10,000 cells and by the 24th week, 10 billion! 

-the newborn brain uses 94% of the energy the child takes in

-nutrition, stress, & stimulation all affect brain development 

Today’s outing was especially sweet because the entire family got to participate. We were matched up with our Mercy Kasama, which means companion, named Habegail and headed out by traditional tricey to visit 11 of her babies & their families. Each baby and family is visited a minimum of once a month, so while we visited 11 today, Habegail says she cares for 54 right now.

Each visit the baby is weighed and their Mercy Kasama both connects with questions about their health and teaches/encourages the family in multiple matters of health. By visiting monthly (sometimes more if the baby is sick or falling in its growth) they are able to chart the baby’s growth and quickly intervene if they see something is in need.

Whether it be food supplements, transportation money to get the baby to a doctor, the money to purchase the medicine needed, the relationship is such that the Mercy Kasamas are free to be His hands and feet. When the babies turn 1 year old, they get a book and a birthday cake, something the families rarely can afford themselves. And when they turn two the celebration continues. We love these little details and so much more about this program. 

We praise God that all 11 of the babies we visited were thriving and their families were proud to share what they have learned along the way regarding their baby’s health. The personal connection, relationship, power of visiting them in their home, empowerment through education all spoke to our hearts from the first we heard of program and to see it in action was simply a blessing. We can’t wait to start an outreach and first 1000 days program in Tamatave and in Mantasoa. 

Please help us pray for:

-discernment in who should be our “Mercy Kasamas” and what we should call them

-for the training of those appointed 

-for the details of acquiring vitamins as part of the program 

-for the funding to pay wages and to have plenty of wiggle room to help supplement the mothers and babies who are in need

-that above all He would become known through all of these details, in every home and family visited