Reaching Children’s Potential in Tanzania: Welcoming New Moms to the Program in December

Anneth Mapinduzi was born in Singida in 1998. After completing secondary school, Anneth went to Tracidi College where she obtained a diploma in General Agriculture. She now lives in Ipalamwa. Anneth sells women’s clothes and accessories for a living. She has a son, Hebroni. Anneth says that she has heard that the RCP Program educates the community on nutritious food and the people in the program are provided with nutritious porridge and micro-nutrients for the growth of a health family. She says she decided to join the RCP Program because she wants to learn how to raise a healthy family through consuming nutritious foods. She says that an important value in her culture is to respect your elders and kneel when greeting them. She adds that during her teenage years she was taught how to protect herself from pregnancy.

Zaina Chengula was born in Makete District in September 1990 and completed her primary education there. In November 2019 she was married to Daniel Kivamba and in 2021 they moved to Makungu village. Her husband works as a pastor at a Lutheran church. They also cultivate corn as a source of income. They have a son, Welldone, who is two years old, and are expecting their second child in July. Zaina heard about the RCP Program from her fellow church members and that the program supports women and children through education, especially on health issues. She decided to join the program because she wants to acquire knowledge on how to raise a healthy family, especially now that she is expecting. She says, “My hope is to get education through the workshops conducted at the RCP Center and also to have a safe delivery at the Ipalamwa General Clinic.”

Paskalina Kahemela was born in July 2005 in Ukwega village and studied at primary school there. She cultivates crops both for food consumption and commercial uses. She is expecting her first child in March 2022. Her sister and other relatives are in the RCP Program and she has heard that it provides services to the whole family. “I have joined the program because I heard that moms are benefiting from various services such as workshops, medical attention, and hand-washing stations,” she says. Paskalina hopes that by participating in the RCP Program and receiving education and help through it, she will have a healthy family and her child’s future will be bright. She says that an important part of her culture is to pay a dowry before marriage as a sign of respect to the family, especially the parents, and to the community at large.