helen weld public health

Mentor Mamas. . .

Annonciata, one of Gardens for Health’s (GHI) original staff mamas (including Claire and Naomi) helped design the beginnings of the health trainings in 2011. She is now an instrumental member of the GHI team in her role as training supervisor. She has recently spearheaded and launched an innovative pilot program to incorporate past graduates of GHI to be “mentor mamas” at the Nyacyonga Health Center. Two weeks ago the forty women who had been selected based on their motivation and involvement in GHI gathered for an introduction to their new role with GHI. Many had not seen their trainers, Claire (now field supervisor for Gasabo District), Naomi (now lead trainer) and Annonciata for two years, which precipitated tearful and happy reunions.

There were moving testimonies by many as to how much of a difference GHI had been in their lives, especially in the realms of mental health. “It has made such a difference for me and I hope it will for you too”, were the words of one mama. Another said, “It has helped me respect others, including my husband.” They wanted to ensure that mamas currently enrolled in the program could reap the same sustainable benefits for their families. Singing and dancing which always seems to raise spirits and create a sense of celebration was an integral part of the morning. Their responsibility as mentor mamas is to make five home visits during the 13 week training cycle to the mama they have been assigned. Hopefully this extra presence, above and beyond the home visit they get from the GHI field educator, will provide these mamas with a bonus opportunity to connect and form the beginnings of new friendships. We hope, too, that this will also promote perfect attendance at trainings, resulting in better overall health for their families, as well as giving the mentor mamas a sense of purpose and achievement while it extends their connection with GHI.

The week after the first gathering of the mentor mamas, there were two ‘matching days’ for 20 mamas at each session. As the mentor mamas and the current mamas arrived there was a palpable sense of excitement as they all anticipated meeting their counterpart. As the matching pairs were called they came to the front and greeted each other enthusiastically to the delight of all in attendance. The traditional 3 time (right side, left side, right side) Rwandan kiss and embrace was ubiquitous, accompanied by hoots and hollers.

We’ll be eagerly monitoring and evaluating the impact of this program as time progresses, work out any kinks and hopefully introduce it at all the other seventeen health centers that Gardens for Health is partnering with in the Gasabo and Musanze Districts of Rwanda.

Helen

  Naomi, Helen, Annonciata and Claire

Mentor Mamas and a healthy baby
listening to Annonciata’s welcome

One mentor mama gives a tearful testimonial 

Naomi reunites with a mentor mama

who was her trainee two years ago

Mentor Mamas 2014 “Innovations Pilot Group”

'Matching' glee and excitement

 The beginning of a strong friendship

 More 'matching' excitement

 An inquisitive and adorable

daughter of a mentor mama

 Another beguiling face

Mentor mamas waiting

for matching to begin