Poverty withholds from mothers the resources they need to successfully parent—this is where Compassion’s Child Survival Program (CSP) steps in. A CSP provides an environment for mothers of young children (newborns to around age 3) to learn nutritional planning, good hygiene, and other developmentally healthy parenting skills.

Fitche Evangelical Mekane Yesus Child Survival Program

In Ethiopia, thousands of girls trapped in poverty are growing up without good role models. As these girls grow up and have babies, they lack the basic skills and knowledge needed to raise a healthy baby.

The Fitche Evangelical Mekane Yesus Child Survival Program (CSP) in central Ethiopia brings mothers together for fellowship in their village, and walks alongside them as they deliver and raise healthy babies.

Mothers in this CSP are trained how to:

• provide a healthy and safe environment for their child,
• improve their self-esteem so that they can, in turn, bond with their baby and allow for healthy attachment, and 
• develop activities for their baby that promote closeness, growth, and a loving home environment.

These mothers also learn about Jesus and receive a Bible. 

The CSP also helps provide for baby's physical needs, such as:

• monthly supplies of food,
• training for nutritional planning,
• hygiene habit training, both for the parents and for the baby,
• activities that help develop the baby's motor skills, and
• medical checkups for both babies and their mothers, and for expecting mothers.

These are critical steps needed to break the cycle of poverty. When you support this CSP, you are not just sustaining the life of an infant—you're providing a chance for mothers and babies in this small village to thrive.

(in)courage Blog + Compassion

This project is being championed by the (in)courage Giv(in)g initiative. Because no matter what the zip code, God calls us all family. So we're in this together. All the way. And honored to share and support these stories with our global community of women at www.incourage.me