Health and Nutrition
Empowering Families and Communities for Better Health
Health and nutrition are the bedrock of a better quality of life for children, women, and families. We integrate health and nutrition programs into broader agendas—such as parenting, gender equality, and agricultural-based economic development—driving sustainable improvements in family and community well-being.
Why It Matters
Good health and proper nutrition are essential for thriving families and communities. In many low-income areas, food insecurity and malnutrition perpetuate a cycle of poverty and poor health. We are breaking this cycle by improving nutrition practices, supporting maternal, child, and adolescent health, and strengthening health systems to ensure everyone has access to the care they need
Our pathways to healthier communities
1. Maternal and Child Health
We prioritize the health of mothers and children by empowering women with the knowledge and support they need for healthy pregnancies, childbirth, and early childhood care. Through parenting programs, we promote the right dietary practices, breastfeeding, introduction nutritious complementary foods at the right time, and provide maternal health education to reduce child developmental delays and mortality rates. Our nutrition programs also focus on enhancing household food availability and promoting overall health for pregnant women and children, contributing to stronger, more resilient communities.
2. Adolescent Health and Well-being
We focus on the health and well-being of adolescents, equipping them for a healthy and successful adulthood. Our programs strengthen health-seeking behaviors, improve mental health, and provide youth-friendly services. We also work closely with parents of adolescents, helping them strengthen their skills in raising teenagers and navigating the unique challenges of adolescence. In cases where adolescents become parents themselves, we ensure they have access to the right support services and empower them to raise their children well. In communities affected by abuse, violence, or HIV, we ensure young people have access to trauma-informed care and essential health services that support both their physical and emotional development, as well as their role as caregivers.
3. Parental Mental Wellbeing
Parenting comes with its own unique set of stressors, such as financial pressures, family or community violence, and the constant demands of caregiving. These stressors can take a toll on parents' mental and physical well-being. It’s essential to recognize that a parent’s well-being is not only crucial for the children they care for but also for their own resilience and overall health. By supporting parental mental well-being, we help parents manage stress, build resilience, and improve their ability to cope with life’s challenges. Through parenting programs, self-care reflection sessions, and connecting parents to wellness and psychosocial support services, we enable them to prioritize their own health. A parent who is mentally well can create a more positive, nurturing environment for their children, while also safeguarding their own long-term resilience and well-being.
4. Strengthening Health Systems
We partner with governments and local organizations to enhance primary healthcare systems, particularly at the community level. By advancing integrated services for children, adolescents, and women of reproductive age, we improve access to health, nutrition, early childhood development, and mental well-being services. These efforts build more sustainable, responsive health systems that address the needs of vulnerable populations.
