Babies: Nutrition Support
In Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, we support babies in crisis and their caregivers through the Maisha Matters program. The need for this support is great, and Kulea delivers this proven program locally through the Forever Angels social franchise model. Given the significant need, we aim to expand the program further.
Nutrition and Family Support
Family Support
Kulea Villages supports and counsels families in challenging situations. Approximately, half of the babies we encounter have lost their mothers at birth and are being raised by extended family members. The other half consists of mothers who are not producing enough breast milk due to being malnourished, managing multiple births, or suffering from disease.
Nutrition
Newborns who have lost their mothers or are malnourished need infant formula for survival. Each baby needs 2 to 3 cans per week to thrive, however, a single can of formula is more than a month’s wages for a family living in extreme poverty. For breastfeeding babies, we provide supplemental formula and nutritious food for the mother so both baby and caregiver can regain strength and health.
Crisis Support
Two Kulea Villages' social workers visit the family home within a week of enrollment to assess the living conditions, home safety, and immediate needs. These needs may include food, rent assistance, medical needs, beds, mosquito nets, cooking tools, and educational support for out-of-school children.
Caregiver Training
To receive infant formula, caregivers commit to attending weekly baby checkups and nine months of preventative health lessons. These include hygiene, disease prevention, first aid, family planning, and nutrition. Caregivers teach some of their final classes and often reinforce these lessons within their home community with other mothers.
Baby Monitoring
Babies reside with their families, most of whom are headed by single mothers. All babies receive weekly health checks at the Kulea Villages' Center to ensure they are healthy and growing. The use of infant formula is strictly monitored to guarantee safe storage and proper usage.
Business Mentoring
Kulea Villages trains and mentors caregivers to build a sustainable business. We work with the mother to identify products or services that the community needs and that are appealing. Our comprehensive training and mentoring ensure a solid business setup, with monitoring for at least six months to help confirm success.