Funding Number: SB-1707-08036
Program: Saving Brains
Legal Name of Organization: Young Women Christian Association (Malawi)
Project Name: Community Model for Fostering Health and Wellbeing for Adolescent Mothers & Their Children
Project Lead(s): Nettie Dzabala
Project Period: July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2019
Duration of Funding: 24 months
Funding Amount: $249,412 CAD
Organization Country: Malawi
Current Implementation Country: Malawi

Project Overview:

Our project aims to provide psychosocial support (PSS) and skills training to marginalized married girls, adolescent mothers, and pregnant girls in Malawi. Through this initiative, we strive to enhance their wellbeing and their babies' health.

Key Objectives:

• Psychosocial Support (PSS): Helping adolescents develop resilience and manage stress stemming from poverty, forced marriages, gender-based violence, unwanted pregnancies, and social stigma.
• Parenting and Childcare Education: Equipping young mothers with essential parenting skills, nutritional care, and early child stimulation to promote infant brain development, especially within the crucial first 1000 days of a child's life.
• Collaboration: Working closely with Community Health Workers and the Malawi College of Medicine to ensure access to health services.
• Group Sessions: Regular weekly sessions for adolescent mothers led by YWCA Coordinators, Adolescent Mother Champions, and health workers.
• Health Monitoring: Babies’ health and progress tracked through Babies' Health Passports.

Download the full report to learn more about the impact and outcomes of our initiative.

Download Report

Published by: Nettie Dzabala