The Reaching Children’s Potential Program (RCP) of the Ukwega Ward in central Tanzania measures its success by the growth and development of the children in the program. Read about 40 girls and boys who reached their first, second, third, and fourth birthdays in good health and on target to reach all their development milestones in August, 2021. We celebrate them and their families!
First Birthdays: This is a proud milestone! In Tanzania, about 6 in 10 deaths occur in the first year of life; with 4 of those occurring the first month, according to UNICEF. RCP families have the information and resources to ensure a healthy start for their children. This month, we celebrate the first birthdays of 10 children!
Girls
Pendo Mbwelwa – August 6, 2020 from Ukwega
Rachel Giha – August 6, 2020 from Ipalamwa
Ombeni Duma – August 8, 2020 from Ipalamwa
Anusiata Makilika – August 14, 2020 from Mkalanga
Reina Kikoti – August 22, 2020 from Ipalamwa
Yunas Kahemela – August 31, 2020 from Ukwega
Samantha Sakala – August 31, 2020 from Lulindi
Boys
Jeric Myamba – August 22, 2020 from Mkalanga
Daniel Myamba – August 11, 2020 from Mkalanga
Franki Kahemela – August 28, 2020 from Ukwega
Learn more about five of the children who are celebrating their first birthdays this month:
Pendo Mbelwa
6/August/2020
Ukwega village
Pendo’s mom joined the RCP Program in May 2020 when she was six months pregnant with Pendo. Pendo’s favorite foods are vegetables, cooked bananas with meat, and ugali. She loves to play with rope and toys and to sing. She is the first born in her family. Pendo’s mom hopes she will become a nurse when she grows up.
Reina Kikoti
22/August/2020
Ipalamwa village
Reina’s mom joined the RCP Program in February 2020 when she was three months pregnant with Reina. Reina’s favorite foods are porridge, rice and meat, and fruits. She loves to crawl and shake toys. She is working on taking her first steps. She is the first born in her family. Reina’s mom says the RCP Program has helped her child so much. She was suffering from depression and her child was not doing well. The RCP Program helped her go to Iringa for psychotherapy, which helped her learn many things with her husband. She says, “We have learned a lot from the program and now our child is doing well, crawling, and eating well.”
Ombeni Duma
8/August/2020
Ipalamwa village
Ombeni’s mom joined the RCP Program in January 2020. Ombeni’s favorite foods are porridge, fruits – especially bananas, ugali, and chips. She has one sister and one brother. She loves to play with different toys with her sister. Ombeni’s mom says that she is so appreciative of the services offered at the Ipalamwa General Clinic and that she has received excellent prenatal and postnatal care there.
Anusiata Makilika
14/August/2020
Mkalanga village
Anusiata’s mom joined the RCP Program in April 2020 when she was five months pregnant with Anusiata. Anusiata’s favorite foods are ugali with beans, rice, and fruits. She loves to play with toys and make local toys. She has two sisters. Anusiata’s mom says that the program is very helpful to her. She has learned many things and her child is very happy.
Daniel Myamba
11/August/2020
Mkalanga village
Daniel’s mom joined the RCP Program in January 2020. His favorite foods are rice, cooked bananas, vegetables, and porridge. He has two siblings. He loves to play with toys, especially toy cars. Daniel’s mom says, “I’m so proud to be part of the program. When I was pregnant, I got the chance to go to Ipalamwa and stay at the guest house while I waited to deliver. I get support and my child are growing well and happy.”
Second Birthday: By the time a child turns two years old, s/he should be walking and running alone, talking a little, carrying toys, and exploring boundaries. This month, we celebrate the second birthdays of 17 children!
Boys
Richard Ntajiliwa – August 6, 2019 from Makungu
Elisha Mbwelwa – August 12, 2019 from Ukwega
George Masika – August 18, 2019 from Makungu
Dennis Chang’a – August 25, 2019 from Lulindi
Alvin Makilika – August 29, 2019 from Mkalanga
Gabriel Giha – August 30, 2019 from Ipalamwa
Girls
Felista Mpalanzi – August 2, 2019 from Ukwega
Rabeka Mang’ulisa – August 4, 2019 from Ipalamwa
Ester Mgoba – August 17, 2021 from Ukwega
Faithness Msigwa – August 23, 2019 from Ukwega
Belita Nosa – August 25, 2019 from Ukwega
Salum Kavindi – August 24, 2019 from Ukwega
Jeryness Changula – August 26, 2019 from Mkalanga
Sara Mgeveke – August 28, 2019 from Lulindi
Jackline Samira – August 28, 2019 from Ipalamwa
Bertha Kimata – August 28, 2019 from Ukwega
Anastazia Matei – August 29, 2019 from Mkalanga
Learn more about five of the children who are celebrating their second birthdays this month:
Jackline Samila
28/August/2019
Ipalamwa village
Jackline’s mom joined the RCP Program in December 2018. Jackline’s favorite foods are ugali with meat, avocado, and ripe bananas. She likes playing soccer with other children. She has one brother and one sister. Jackline’s mom says, “The RCP Program has helped me so much. I have accessed free medical services at the Ipalamwa General Clinic with my family. The workshops I have attended help me raise my daughter well by observing good hygiene practices. This has helped us to be free from infectious disease.”
Richard Ntalijiwa
6/August/2019
Makungu village
Richard’s mom joined the RCP Program in July 2019, just before Richard was born. His favorite foods are rice and the porridge provided by the RCP Program. He likes to play soccer. He is the first born in his family. His mom says she loves the RCP Program and likes everything that is provided with it. She says, “I have received great support since when the RCP Program started in Makungu village and I was pregnant. Because I was pregnant for the first time then, it was a great time to start receiving support.”
George Masika
18/August/2019
Makungu village
George’s mom joined the RCP Program in July 2019, just before George was born. His favorite foods are porridge, bananas, pineapple, and rice with meat. He likes drawing and playing soccer with other children. He has one sibling. His parents hope he will become a teacher when he grows up.
Elisha Mbelwa
12/August/2019
Ukwega village
Elisha’s mom joined the RCP Program in July 2019, just before Elisha was born. His favorite foods are rice, beans, and porridge. He likes to play with toy cars and try to make them. He is the first born in his family. His mom joined the program when it began in Ukwega village and says she is so happy to be a part of it. She says she loves how RCP helps her to learn parenting skills, how to take care her child, and how to feed her child. She hopes Elisha will become a doctor when he grows up.
Ester Mgoba
17/August/2019
Ukwega village
Ester’s mom joined the program in July 2019, just before Ester was born. Ester’s favorite foods are potatoes and rice with beans. She loves to play kitchen and play with toys with other children. She has one sibling. Ester’s mom says Ester is doing great.
Third Birthday: At this milestone, a child’s vocabulary should be expanding, and s/he should be making up stories and play activities, and learning to build relationships. This month, we celebrate the third birthdays of 10 children!
Girls
Grace Msigwa – August 22, 2018 from Ipalamwa
Careen Mhando – August 23, 2018 from Mkalanga
Cashier Mgata – August 31, 2018 from Ipalamwa
Boys
Rishan Kipemba – August 1, 2018 from Ipalamwa
Modrick Kimath – August 8, 2018 from Makungu
Braight Kasuga – August 14, 2018 from Mkalanga
Anena Lwanzali – August 19, 2018 from Mkalanga
Hosea Nywagi – August 20, 2018 from Ukwega
Elia Kipemba – August 22, 2018 from Ipalamwa
Ethan Luginile – August 24, 2018 from Lulindi
Learn more about three of the children who are celebrating their third birthdays this month:
Hosea Nywagi
20/August/2018
Ukwega village
Hosea’s mom joined the RCP Program in September 2019. His favorite foods are meat, rice, bananas, and eggs. He loves playing soccer with his friends. Hosea has five siblings. His mom says, “Hosea is very smart and active when compared with my other children. The RCP Program has helped Hosea to eat proper meals and to maintain hygiene. Unlike my other children, Hosea did not experience sickness as a baby or toddler.”
Braight Kasuga
14/August/2018
Mkalanga village
Braight’s mom joined the RCP Program in April 2018 when she was five months pregnant with Braight. His favorite foods are bananas and porridge. He loves playing soccer, running with other children, and playing with toy cars. He has two siblings. His mom says, “I have gotten support from the Ipalamwa General Clinic. The RCP Caregivers have shared information with me about infant care and hygiene, and installed a hand-washing station for us. I get support any time I have a concern. Braight is growing well – better than my other children were at his age.” Braight’s mom hopes he will become a doctor when he grows up.
Grace Msigwa
22/August/2018
Ipalamwa village
Grace’s mom joined the RCP Program in June 2018 when she was seven months pregnant with Grace. Grace’s favorite foods are porridge, ugali, rice, beans, vegetables, pineapple, and bananas. She loves playing with toys, playing kitchen, and pretending she is washing clothes. Grace likes to play with her friends. She has three sisters and one brother. Her mom says she is so happy with the services provided through the RCP Program and Global Volunteers. She says, “Grace is doing great, has lots of fun, and has a happy life. The RCP workshops, especially the one on nutrition during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, helped me to learn many things which are useful to my family.”
Fourth Birthday: By the time a child reaches four years old, s/he should be able to hop, throw and kick balls, and climb and swing with ease. At this age, Tanzanian children are often helping with household tasks and taking care of younger siblings. S/he likely is helping carry water and wood, and maybe shucking peas, corn, and beans. Playtime at this age is lessened, and the child becomes important for family support. This month, we celebrate 3 children who are turning 4!
Boy
Evens Kisoma – August 24, 2017 from Ipalamwa
Girls
Nitres Mkemwa – August 10, 2017 from Ipalamwa
Lightness Dramini – August 24, 2017 from Ipalamwa
Learn more about the three children who are celebrating their fourth birthdays this month:
Lightness Dramin
24/August/2017
Ipalamwa village
Lightness’ mom joined the RCP Program at its inception in July 2017, just before Lightness was born. Lightness’ favorite foods are rice with chicken, avocado, and milk. She loves playing with other children, especially jumping rope and playing with balls. Lightness is the first born in her family and doesn’t have any siblings. Her mom is a single mom and she says the RCP Program has taught her many skills to take care of her child. “I have benefitted a lot from the program, especially the workshops, the free health services, and the home visits. Also, the Parents’ Club helps me to learn different skills from other parents.”
Nitress Mkemwa
10/August/2017
Ipalamwa village
Nitress’ mom joined the RCP Program at its inception in July 2017, just before Lightness was born. Nitress’ favorite foods are eggs, fish, meat, mashed bananas, and rice. She loves writing and drawing, playing kitchen, and playing with baby toys. She is the first born in her family and doesn’t have any siblings. Her mom says, “The RCP Program has changed my life. I have learned a lot through workshops. I’m so happy that I joined the program from the beginning and that I’m a member of RCP co-ops, which helps me to earn money and to have entrepreneurship skills. My child is growing well. She is a very smart and happy child. I have learned how to take care of my EarthBoxes and many other things in RCP. Now I know how to make liquid soap, to take care of pigs, and to make things with fabric, which will help me in the future. I am so glad the RCP Program is working in the Ukwega Ward.”
Evens Kisoma
22/August/2017
Ipalamwa village
Evens’ mom joined the RCP Program at its inception in July 2017, just before Evens was born. Evens’ favorite foods are ugali, beans, rice, chicken, and bananas. He loves riding toy cards, playing soccer, and jumping from short trees. He has three sisters. His mom says that she wants to continue in the program because the workshops are very useful and applicable to her life. She hopes Evens will become a midwife when he grows up.
Learn more about the impact of Global Volunteers’ Reaching Children’s Potential Program (RCP) in this story.
2019
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