TGNC Health Matters’ Post

Today, on World Children's Day, SUNCSA Kenya reflects on the profound impact of nutrition on child development and our nation's future. A story of a well-nourished child is one of: ✅ Better educational outcomes ✅ Stronger immune systems ✅ Enhanced cognitive development ✅ Improved social skills ✅ Greater economic potential Through our initiatives and partnerships, we are working to ensure every Kenyan child and beyond has access to nutritious meals. This investment in our children's health is an investment in Kenya's future. 🤝 Join us in this mission. Whether you are a: - Parent - Teacher - Community leader - Healthcare provider - Policy maker Our role in this story matters. Let's collaborate to write a future where every child thrives through proper nutrition and care. CS-SUNN-Nigeria SUN CSA Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement #WorldChildrensDay #SUNCSAKenya #ChildNutrition #SDGs #GlobalHealth #KenyaDevelopment #CommunityHealth #ZeroHunger #NutritionForAll #ChildrenFirst #Nutrition4Growth

Yesterday, the Ministry of Health - Uganda, in partnership with Living Goods, presented the progress of the Building Integrated Readiness for Community Health (BIRCH) Project. The BIRCH project aims to strengthen community health programming in eleven countries, including Uganda. Dr. Meddy Rutayisire, Senior Technical Advisor at MoH, led the session in which he highlighted BIRCH’s vital role in streamlining community health policies and strategies, operational plans, and mapping of community health investments. Living Goods is supporting MoH to strengthen 7 out of 14 foundational elements for sustainable community health under the BIRCH Project which is implemented with funding from The Global Fund and technical support from Africa Frontline First (AFF), and Last Mile Health. The session also included a presentation on the Community Health Worker Maturity Assessment tool, which aims to help countries strengthen and fully leverage their community health programs. The tool assesses current baseline functionality across key community health components based on the latest evidence and practices and supports defining a systems improvement plan based on identified gaps and the country's long-term community health plan. Preliminary findings from the assessment were also shared.  #CommunityHealth #BIRCHProject #HealthPromotion #DiseasePrevention #LivingGoods #CHWs #GlobalFund #HealthForAll #SustainableHealth #UgandaHealth #PartnershipForHealth #PublicHealth #StrongerHealthSystems #PrimaryHealthCare #HealthPolicy

#July1st marks the halfway point of 2024. It's a day to #reflect on #progress and set #intentions for the rest of the year. Amplio is taking stock too: ▪ A Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation-funded initiative led to operational changes in CHPS zones based on client feedback. As a result, communities began taking the #initiative to keep health facilities clean, enhancing client satisfaction. Also, community members created a revolving fund for pregnancy medication. ▪ In collaboration with MSR on a USAID-funded project, efforts are being made to improve #agricultural extension services in Northern Ghana. The goal is to increase #productivity and #reducepoverty for 7500 smallholder farmers. ▪ #Fulbe and non-Fulbe residents of Upper West Region's border communities have adopted skills for amicable conflict resolution, positive social behaviors, and stronger community cohesion through the USAID-funded Littorals Regionals Initiative program. ▪ Through the STAR Ghana AVID project, #sheabutter produced by 250 women across 10 groups currently meet at least 75% compliance with Ghana Standards Authority quality standards. We're only halfway there. Our goal? Double these numbers and achievements by December 31st. Visit our website to learn more! #HalfwayToChange #2024Goals Gumah Aloysius Tiah Lee Ann De Reus, PhD Fidelis Da-uri Tony Cavalieri Steven Larky Simon Tang Toffic Dapilaah Livia B. Michael Dakura Wasila Abdulai Ann Ford

The Giving Genie and Associação Luz da Esperança (LUDE) are partnering in Mozambique to implement impactful community initiatives: Nurturing Futures: Under The Giving Genie's Nurturing Futures program, LUDE is collaborating to protect children through the Genie Safe Initiative. We are equipping LUDE with resources for disaster preparedness education, including workshops and training. Introducing the Magic Quillow Project to provide specialized blankets with emergency pockets for orphaned children. Empower Her: Through The Giving Genie’s Empower Her program, we are conducting workshops focusing on: 1.Maternal and Reproductive Health. 2.HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment 3.Nutrition and Non-Communicable Diseases 4.Mental Health and Gender-Based Violence 5.Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Initiatives 6.Equitable Healthcare Access and Health Education 7. Discussing the profound effects early marriages have on physical health, mental well-being, and opportunities for personal growth. Together, these initiatives are dedicated to empowering communities and fostering positive change in Mozambique. Stay tuned for updates on our impactful journey! #GivingGenie #LUDE #NurturingFutures #EmpowerHer #CommunityImpact #Mozambique

Caring for Our Elders: A Call for Compassion and Action I will soon turn 60, and the thought has made me reflect deeply on the realities of aging. As part of my social responsibility, I regularly visit an elderly care center in Yangon, where around 100 elderly men and women reside. While these residents are fortunate to have a roof over their heads, their lives feel heavy with loneliness, neglect, and despair. But the harsh truth is that many elderly people across Myanmar aren’t as fortunate. A study by HelpAge Myanmar (2023) revealed some heartbreaking realities: 72% of elderly women and 54% of men suffer from food insecurity, with 79% reducing meal quality to cope. 60% of women and 52% of men cannot access essential healthcare services. inancial insecurity looms large: 68% have less than a week’s savings, and 73% live without any income. The emotional burden is severe—71% experience anxiety, loneliness, or worry. Many reside in non-permanent homes, with over one-third lacking electricity and more than half without running water. Gender disparities persist, with elderly women bearing the brunt of economic and social hardships. In a society that once prided itself on family values, the erosion of social support systems has left many of our elders vulnerable. Rising costs of living, displacement, and changing family structures mean that even more aged individuals are left without care or homes. Aging is inevitable, but neglect should not be. These people have contributed to society in countless ways throughout their lives—shouldn’t we ensure their final years are spent in dignity? It’s time for us to take collective action. Whether through volunteering, supporting care homes, or advocating for policies that protect the elderly, every little bit counts. Let’s not wait until we are old ourselves to understand this reality. Aging is not just about growing old—it’s about our shared humanity. #ElderlyCare  #SupportForAged #HelpAgeMyanmar #finMyanmar

Here's an excellent example of the power of budget work.

In contexts marked by hunger and drought, enhancing school attendance emerges as a critical imperative. Our research in Gwembe, Southern Province of Zambia underscores the efficacy of multifaceted interventions in mitigating barriers to education. School feeding programs incentivize attendance while improving student well-being. Access to WASH facilities reduces absenteeism and promotes health. Educational campaigns foster parental involvement and enhance the value of schooling. Financial support, including scholarships, mitigates economic barriers. Psychosocial initiatives address emotional challenges, and household engagement empowers families to prioritize education. Collaborative community engagement amplifies the impact of interventions, fostering resilient and inclusive educational systems. Together, these findings advocate for a holistic approach, informed by evidence-based research and stakeholder collaboration, to foster equitable and resilient education amidst adversity. #Education #Hunger #Drought #SchoolAttendance #HouseholdEngagement

Since 2018, Love Mercy has partnered with Huber Social to determine the level of wellbeing of Cents for Seeds participants. Every year, we find that close proximity to a water source predicts higher wellbeing and a greater chance of success in the program. In 2023, one respondent Rose*, said: "The problem left is water, as it is too far and I have bad knees." Women and girls spend up to 6 hours a day, every day, collecting water in Uganda. When a women is unable to travel so far to collect this basic necessity, her wellbeing declines and her chances of gaining financial freedom through Cents for Seeds is diminished. Well Worth It seeks to provide access to clean drinking water in places where it is needed most. Your support could make all the difference in the world for someone like Rose. Support those running for clean water today. https://bit.ly/4bLcPWF *Name and image has been changed to protect the identity of survey participants. #LoveMercy #HuberSocial #CentsForSeeds #Wellbeing #CleanWater #WomenEmpowerment #FinancialFreedom #WellWorthIt

We're thrilled to kick off our participation in the Mutual Capacity and Linking and Learning workshop, hosted by the Nutrition Society of Uganda under the Right2Grow program. As a grassroots organization committed to community-led development, we commend Right2Grow for their dedication to #ShiftthePower. Their initiative creates mutual learning spaces that bring grassroots organizations together with national and international counterparts. The Mutual Capacity and Linking and Learning initiative resonate deeply with the program's approach which believes that achieving zero undernutrition and ensuring universal access to basic WASH services demands a people-centered and community-led approach. This approach prioritizes the most vulnerable and hardest-to-reach populations, empowering them to thrive. #CommunityLedDevelopment #Right2Grow #NutritionSocietyUganda #GrassrootsImpact