Because a child’s first year of life should not be their last, our vision is to help secure a child’s opportunity to live. When a child’s needs aren’t met in the first critical year, it has a lifelong effect. Malnutrition can lead to stunted growth. Lack of healthcare can bring the threat of disease and a lack of stimulation can stifle a child’s cognitive development. But when children get the care they need in their earliest years, they are more likely to succeed in school and have better health as they grow up. Investing in child survival means children can reach their God-given potential.

Pregnant mums in extreme poverty frequently lack prenatal care, a nurturing home environment, and access to necessary medical and social services. This puts the life of the mother at risk, and for the baby, the struggle to survive begins at birth and continues through their first year. After the child is born, mothers with little to no money or services in their area will struggle to get help if their child falls sick or faces any other challenges. For preventable reasons, many babies tragically pass away before they’ve even had a chance to live.

The Child Survival Mums and Bubs programme, run by our partner Compassion, serves pregnant mothers, primary caregivers and their babies during the child’s critical first year when infants are most at risk of illness and death. The programme trains and equips specialists from local, partnering churches to provide much-needed help.