Women’s outreach exceeds expectation with healthy results

LEBANON - Like a snowball that keeps growing, Lebanese mothers are spreading the word among their peers about the importance of breastfeeding and other healthy behaviours through health forums supported by World Vision.

Twelve committed mothers from Zahle area reached out to approximately 200 other women by organising consecutive sessions that welcomed mothers and women of child bearing age. They focused on exclusive breastfeeding (no other food or liquids) for six months, correct positioning of babies as they breastfeed and ways to introduce other foods in addition to breast milk after the sixth month. 

“I had all the wrong ideas about breastfeeding ... I didn’t know most of the information shared today”

“I had all the wrong ideas about breastfeeding,” said Yvanna. “I didn’t know most of the information shared today. I will definitely remember it when my turn comes to breastfeed.” 

These twelve mothers had participated in several maternal and child health and nutrition training sessions with World Vision over the past year. They also learned communications techniques to help them effectively convey the message in their communities. 

“I felt other women were eager to learn,” said Haifa, after she finished giving one of the awareness sessions. “Each and every woman can influence her surroundings and this is extremely important.” 

“The way they [the mothers] explained the information was amazing,” said Rima, another mother who attended the sessions. “If only I knew this information before; I went through many difficulties through my pregnancy and breastfeeding period.”

“These women are on fire,” said Jessy Feghali, health specialist with World Vision. “They are reaping the benefits of their commitments to all the training they received about health subjects.”

In addition to reaching adults, around 400 children a learned about the importance of eating healthy food and maintaining their personal hygiene during this day-long activity where mother, also, were the stars. 

“Children showed curiosity to learn about everything,” said Ibtissam, one of the facilitating mothers.

The health forum is one of several activities through which World Vision is trying to fight malnutrition and lack of sanitation and break the silence around health knowledge for pregnant women and mothers so that all mothers and children enjoy good health.