Village Hopecore International, an NGO, has stepped up efforts to promote exclusive breastfeeding and maternal nutrition in Tharaka Nithi County as part of activities marking this year’s World Breastfeeding Week.
Speaking during an event at Kirumi Health Centre in Maara Sub-County, the organisation’s Head of Public Health, Dr. Mutuma Njagi, said that although Kenya has made notable progress in breastfeeding, more support is still needed to ensure every child is exclusively breastfed during the first six months of life.
Dr. Njagi noted that six out of every ten children in Kenya are exclusively breastfed, adding that Hopecore and its partners are working to improve the numbers through continuous community education, capacity building and strengthening of family support systems.
“We want every child to be exclusively breastfed and every caregiver to receive the support they need. Breastfeeding is not the responsibility of mothers alone but of the entire family and community,” he said.
He observed that inadequate knowledge on proper breastfeeding practices remains a major barrier to optimal infant nutrition, with many mothers requiring practical guidance on breastfeeding techniques, feeding schedules and the transition to complementary feeding.
Dr Njagi said the organisation is also promoting greater involvement of fathers and caregivers in maternal and child health, including participation in antenatal clinics and offering support to breastfeeding mothers.
He noted that the campaign aligns with this year’s World Breastfeeding Week theme, “Strengthening What Works”, which focuses on reinforcing proven interventions that support breastfeeding and child nutrition.
The event was organised by Hopecore International in partnership with the Tharaka Nithi County Government, International Development Enterprises (IDE), Vitamin Angels and Helen Keller International under the Transforming Lives Through Nutrition Programme.
According to Dr. Njagi, the programme focuses on improving maternal and child health through community empowerment, healthcare worker training and household nutrition education.
He said Hopecore has trained healthcare workers and Community Health Promoters (CHPs) to provide breastfeeding education and support at the grassroots level.
“We recognise breast milk as the ultimate superfood because it boosts immunity, supports cognitive development and promotes overall child growth. Breastfeeding support begins during pregnancy through education and continues after delivery through guidance on proper attachment and feeding practices,” he said.
During the ongoing campaign, 27 CHPs have been trained since Monday and they would reach 410 lactating mothers and 82 expectant ones in the area.
A Community Health Promoter from Muthande, Purity Kageni, said some mothers are reluctant to exclusively breastfeed due to misconceptions, including beliefs that breastfeeding alters body appearance, while others prefer powdered milk.
She said CHPs are educating mothers on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for six months, followed by continued breastfeeding up to two years alongside appropriate complementary feeding.
Kageni added that some mothers report low milk production, but health workers advise them to maintain balanced diets to improve breast milk supply and meet their babies’ nutritional needs.
She commended Hopecore International for strengthening community health services through continuous training and support for CHPs.
Beneficiaries of the programme praised the initiative for improving maternal and child health outcomes in the region.
Ellyjoy Kawira from Ganga Ward said the programme helped her successfully care for her twins, one of whom was born weighing 3.2 kilograms while the other weighed one kilogram.
She said health workers provided guidance on breastfeeding, nutrition and routine child health check-ups, contributing to the healthy growth of her children.
“Since we started participating in the Malezi Bora programme, our children have grown healthy and the community has become more informed about proper childcare practices,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Hellen Gatwiri, said the programme enabled her to learn proper breastfeeding techniques and nutrition practices that have benefited both her and her child.
She urged young mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding and ignore misconceptions that discourage them from following recommended practices.
Maureen Makena said she would share the knowledge gained with other mothers in her community to promote healthy child growth and development.
By Dickson Mwiti
