Maternal Child Health Initiative – World Neighbours Canada

The expected results by the end of the initiative are: (1) increased use of potable drinking water and healthy home environments by households in Nepal and Honduras; (2) increased utilization by parents of options for prevention and treatment of childhood diseases and family planning in Honduras and Burkina Faso; (3) improved family food security and increased consumption of nutritious foods by children under two years of age in Honduras and Burkina Faso; (4) increased participation of women in leadership of community organizations in all three countries; and (5) increased participation of British Columbians from towns and small cities in activities related to maternal, newborn and child health issues in developing countries.

Results achieved as of September 2019 include: (1) in Nepal, drinking water systems were constructed in 9 villages and latrines were constructed in 4,681 households, providing more than 2,293 rural residents with access to potable water closer to home and reducing average water carrying times for women and girls by 75%; (2) in Honduras, 365 people were trained in drinking water management, 669 households received improved stoves and/or sealed hygienic toilets, and 774 people (of which 94% were women and girls) demonstrated improved knowledge of child nutrition; and (3) in Burkina Faso, 600 people (of which 83% were women and girls) experienced improved food security and nutritional status, and 681 people (of which 70% were women and girls) in 18 villages attended information sessions on the importance of vaccinating children and family planning. In Nepal, Honduras and Burkina Faso, about 12,500 people have participated in one or more information sessions about nutrition and health. These have contributed to better and more equitable access to water and latrines for more than 4,971 people, allowed beneficiaries to make better-informed decisions in regards to family planning, and improved child health and nutrition for 2,000 families.