GROW trip members (from left to right) Allyson Westling, Reema Ghatnekar, and Kathleen Leinweber carrying babies at the child welfare clinic. Photo courtesy of Reema Ghatnekar.
We just got back from a child welfare clinic, aka baby central. These clinics are held either at Ahoe Market, Miracle Life Center, or the HOPE Center. Today, we were at Ahoe Market, where we set up shop with basically just a table and a few chairs. Children between the ages of 0-5 years old can come to these clinic days and receive different vaccinations including measles, yellow fever, and PENTA, as well as polio drops and vitamin A supplements. The weights of the children are also monitored at these clinics, which is the data that I’ve been using to determine which children are underweight and should be placed in the test group for the nutrition program. Mothers also receive a little baggie filled with ground up maize and soya beans, which can be added to their meals to give their children extra protein and nutrients. Allyson, Kathleen, Joey, and I were hard at work weighing babies, recording weights, and giving vitamin A supplements.
After the commotion in the morning had died down, all of us were able to try to hold babies on our backs the way the women here do! Most women carry their children on their backs using a piece of cloth that is wrapped around both baby and mother. Women can carry their children like this when their child is as young as a 4 months all the way up until their child is 7 or 8 years old. It’s a lot easier than carrying a baby in your arms all day. It’s like a backpack, but a whole lot cuter! -REEMA GHATNEKAR
Super cute! And the babies look comfortable!
I’m so glad you guys took advantage of the CWC and got to take those babies on your back–I always wanted to know how to wrap the cloth around my body but was too afraid to ask!
You guys look like you’re having the best time, I’m so thrilled for this GROW trip and know that you’re paving the way for the ones to come.
Those babies are ADORABLE! They look so comfortable and happy 🙂 I’m sure the mothers got a kick out of seeing you guys with your baby backpacks.
I don’t know if this has been mentioned elsewhere on the blog, but how’s the progress on the survey?
Cheers!
Aimee