Breastfeeding Stockings on Kome Island

The health training on Kome Island is now in full swing! Simon and Victoria are doing a great job setting up this project, working alongside the Nyakabanga Church on the island. Simon is putting artistic skill to great use drawing pictures of people and faeces for sanitation posters and Victoria has been busy sewing stockings into breasts for her visual and tactile aids! They have set up a house on the island and with their two young children, Tabitha and Reuben, go there regularly. They are working with Gertrude, our health trainer. She is doing a fantastic job settling there and getting to know people. She spends three weeks on the island and then has a week back in Mwanza. She has recently started teaching a group of women who are now meeting regularly every week.

Gertrude teaching on nutrition

It was great for Niall and Sue Barry to visit the island and see the work progressing that Team Hope is supporting. They joined in one of the mamas meetings for a discussion on nutrition. It seemed more appropriate with the disproportionate number of men present that day than continuing with the regular teaching on breastfeeding!

Niall and Sue visiting Kome Island

Gathering in the Ewing's Kome house

Mamas Meeting at the Nyakabanga Church

With the help of some homemade breasts made out of old tights, the women have been enjoying their weekly meetings and learning about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months. It is not uncommon for a mother to feed her infant non-milk foods at even a couple of weeks old. Not believing that milk is enough, maize porridge and bananas are given very early on. This group of women will continue meeting and Gertrude will also start working with another group of women in a neighbouring community.

Meanwhile Simon is preparing to start household training on sanitation. The plan is to work with around six families, three in the church and three outside, who will then become trainers for their community. This will training will focus on improving handwashing, water treatment and safe storage of drinking water. So it is exciting to see this work growing and progressing and relationships building!

You can follow the Ewing's adventures on their blog here!

Victoria and Simon's mum sewing stockings into breasts

Louisa back the Mamas' Meeting

When it is good to have your own car and avoid public transport!