Happy Healthy Birthdays for These RCP Children in September, 2020!

The Reaching Children’s Potential (RCP) program of the Ukwega Ward in central Tanzania measures its success by the growth and development of the children in the program. Meet ten girls and boys who reached their first, second, and third birthdays in good health and on target to reach all their development milestones in September, 2020. 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.

**Salma Njaro**
6/September/2019
Lulindi village
Salma’s mom joined the RCP Program in November 2019, when Salma was two months old.
Salma has five siblings. Her favorite foods are bananas, rice, and beans. She likes to play with other children. Her mom hopes Salma will become a social worker when she grows up.

**Areyness Kivamba**
23/September/2019
Mkalanga village
Areyness’s mom joined the RCP Program in March 2018 when the program was introduced in her vilage.
Areyness’s favorite foods are rice, bananas, and porridge. Her aunt helped choose her name, and her parents hope she will become a nurse one day.

**Beatrice Kibikimunu**
13/September/2019
Lulindi village
Beatrice’s mom joined the RCP Program in May 2019, when she was five months pregnant.
Beatrice likes to eat Rise Against Hunger meals, especially when they are mixed with beans or beef stew. Beatrice has five siblings. She loves to play with doll toys that her mom learned how to make in RCP workshops.

**Evarika Mbelwa**
22/September/2019
Ukwega village
Evarika’s mom joined the RCP Program in July 2019, when she was seven months pregnant.
Evarika’s favorite foods are porridge and Rise Against Hunger meals. She is the first born in her family. She likes to play with other children and her mom. Evarika’s mom hopes she’ll become a nurse and help other people when she grows up.

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.

**Samweli Duma**
15/September/2018
Lulindi village
Samweli’s mom joined the RCP Program in May 2019, when Samweli was eight months old.
Samweli’s name comes from the Bible. He has six siblings and his favorite foods are banana and rice. He likes to play with local toys and the phone. Samweli’s parents hope he will be able to get a good education.

**Everlyn Lwanzari**
17/September/2018
Mkalanga village
Everlyn’s mom joined the RCP Program in June 2018, when she was six months pregnant.
Everlyn’s favorite foods are rice and avocados. She has one sibling and loves to play cooking. Evelyn’s parents hope she becomes a teacher.

Third Birthday: At this milestone, a child’s vocabulary should be expanding, and s/he should making up stories and play activities, and learning to build relationships.