Mama Tendo in Katanga slum
Oct 18, 2006
THE Mama Tendo Foundation has started outreach seminars for people living in slums in Kampala. Until recently, the foundation targeted the educated public but is now spreading out to cover even the less privileged.
By Carol Natukunda
THE Mama Tendo Foundation has started outreach seminars for people living in slums in Kampala. Until recently, the foundation targeted the educated public but is now spreading out to cover even the less privileged.
The seminars aim at educating the families on care during pregnancy, breastfeeding, nutrition and on how to raise children in the tough environments.
The initiative is a non-profit association funded by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The seminars kicked off on Sunday at Kimwanyi Zone in Katanga.
Elizabeth Masaba, a nurse and counsellor at Kawempe Health Centre, trained the women on the basics of a balanced diet during pregnancy, after birth, breastfeeding and nutrition of the children under five years of age.
Masaba also explained the essential nutritional values in various foodstuffs and fruits such as pineapples, mangoes, watermelon, groundnuts, bananas, beans, vegetables, cassava, pumpkins and fish.
Catherine Ruhweza aka Mama Tendo demonstrated to the women on how to make Ekitoobero (mixture of protein and carbohydrate foods) for the young children.
About 100 families attend the seminar. “In the past, we have had the Mama Tendo seminars which target working parents with young families. But this is the second type of seminar (outreach).
Similar ones will be held in Owino-Kisenyi, Kifumbira and Entebbe Kitooro,†explained Ruhweza, “There is a high prevalence of HIV, poor nutrition, high levels of prostitution and neglect of children. The seminars will seek to address these problems,†she said.
The New Vision asked some of the local women and men in the Kimwanyi zone what they had learnt from the seminar. Below is what they had to say.
We have always been told that every pregnant mother needs to be fed well. The one thing that is new to me is not to stick to one kind of fruit or food. According to Mama Tendo seminar, every type of food; a balanced diet, so to speak, is equally essential. I have also learnt that when a child’s excreta is green, then I should go for check up. I think this was a good seminar if I have to be a healthy mother, look for school fees and sustain my children.
Viccy Najemba, 45
Mama Tendo has taught me to feed well — especially on greens, fruits, beans and so on. But these items are expensive and although we would love to do what they tell us, you find you are constrained financially for someone like me who is a teen mother, and I don’t have a job to count on.
Resty Nabukenya, 17
I am only waiting to see the results. I am going to try out what Mama Tendo has said in term of nutrition. There is something else she said that touched me — the way we do not really care about our children as they grow up, despite this being a slum. If my three children resorted to prostitution, I think I would die. This seminar is a constant reminder that parents should pay greater attention to their children’s behaviour.
Fazila Kasoga, 25
Breastfeeding for two years! Yes, that is what I have learnt, although with scepticism. It’s hard to believe. When you are breastfeeding, you should feed well. So how can a mother, who spends the whole day without enough meals, be able to breastfeed for two years?
Anna Kobusingye, 25
I have a daughter. Since I am not yet pregnant with my second child, I am going to practice family planning. But the issue is not so clear. There are some things you fear to ask in public. Maybe if Mama Tendo would come back to us one by one. That is when each one of us would be able to ask more questions and maybe understand how family planning works. We need more information on our reproductive health.
Aisha Nakato, 20
I am happy with this; very, very happy! Although I am an old man and don’t have toddlers at home any more, I have grand children, who I think will benefit from this. But the problem is with the men, at times. For example, look around! There are very few men who came to attend the seminar, yet it could benefit them. Is it because it’s the women who actually look after the children?
Hassan Wasswa
LCI chairman
This is an eye opener to the young mothers in this area. Some women don’t know what to do even when they are mothers. This shouldn’t stop here. Government should go on and bring more people like Mama Tendo to help us sensitise the grassroots.
Emmanuel Magezi
vice-chairman in charge of security affairs
I have four kids. The first born is nine years old, while the last born is three. It’s been quite a hustle bringing them up. You may come and you demonstrate, show us what to do. But all that may not really count at the end of the day, if you are too poor. Here, how to survive is the problem, then the rest will follow. That is why you saw some women laughing in a cynical manner at what was being taught. Because they know it is easier said than done.
Hadija Tebasungwa, 28
For my two children, I remember I only went for medical check up when I was about to give birth. I have learnt that this is wrong. You need constant medical checkups when you are pregnant.
Juliet Nalwada, 24
I have learnt everything (pause). I have three children. During my pregnancies, I didn’t think it was so important to test for HIV/AIDS. But now, I will think about it, next time I am pregnant.
Rehema Nakiwala, 22
THE Mama Tendo Foundation has started outreach seminars for people living in slums in Kampala. Until recently, the foundation targeted the educated public but is now spreading out to cover even the less privileged.
The seminars aim at educating the families on care during pregnancy, breastfeeding, nutrition and on how to raise children in the tough environments.
The initiative is a non-profit association funded by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The seminars kicked off on Sunday at Kimwanyi Zone in Katanga.
Elizabeth Masaba, a nurse and counsellor at Kawempe Health Centre, trained the women on the basics of a balanced diet during pregnancy, after birth, breastfeeding and nutrition of the children under five years of age.
Masaba also explained the essential nutritional values in various foodstuffs and fruits such as pineapples, mangoes, watermelon, groundnuts, bananas, beans, vegetables, cassava, pumpkins and fish.
Catherine Ruhweza aka Mama Tendo demonstrated to the women on how to make Ekitoobero (mixture of protein and carbohydrate foods) for the young children.
About 100 families attend the seminar. “In the past, we have had the Mama Tendo seminars which target working parents with young families. But this is the second type of seminar (outreach).
Similar ones will be held in Owino-Kisenyi, Kifumbira and Entebbe Kitooro,†explained Ruhweza, “There is a high prevalence of HIV, poor nutrition, high levels of prostitution and neglect of children. The seminars will seek to address these problems,†she said.
The New Vision asked some of the local women and men in the Kimwanyi zone what they had learnt from the seminar. Below is what they had to say.
We have always been told that every pregnant mother needs to be fed well. The one thing that is new to me is not to stick to one kind of fruit or food. According to Mama Tendo seminar, every type of food; a balanced diet, so to speak, is equally essential. I have also learnt that when a child’s excreta is green, then I should go for check up. I think this was a good seminar if I have to be a healthy mother, look for school fees and sustain my children.
Viccy Najemba, 45
Mama Tendo has taught me to feed well — especially on greens, fruits, beans and so on. But these items are expensive and although we would love to do what they tell us, you find you are constrained financially for someone like me who is a teen mother, and I don’t have a job to count on.
Resty Nabukenya, 17
I am only waiting to see the results. I am going to try out what Mama Tendo has said in term of nutrition. There is something else she said that touched me — the way we do not really care about our children as they grow up, despite this being a slum. If my three children resorted to prostitution, I think I would die. This seminar is a constant reminder that parents should pay greater attention to their children’s behaviour.
Fazila Kasoga, 25
Breastfeeding for two years! Yes, that is what I have learnt, although with scepticism. It’s hard to believe. When you are breastfeeding, you should feed well. So how can a mother, who spends the whole day without enough meals, be able to breastfeed for two years?
Anna Kobusingye, 25
I have a daughter. Since I am not yet pregnant with my second child, I am going to practice family planning. But the issue is not so clear. There are some things you fear to ask in public. Maybe if Mama Tendo would come back to us one by one. That is when each one of us would be able to ask more questions and maybe understand how family planning works. We need more information on our reproductive health.
Aisha Nakato, 20
I am happy with this; very, very happy! Although I am an old man and don’t have toddlers at home any more, I have grand children, who I think will benefit from this. But the problem is with the men, at times. For example, look around! There are very few men who came to attend the seminar, yet it could benefit them. Is it because it’s the women who actually look after the children?
Hassan Wasswa
LCI chairman
This is an eye opener to the young mothers in this area. Some women don’t know what to do even when they are mothers. This shouldn’t stop here. Government should go on and bring more people like Mama Tendo to help us sensitise the grassroots.
Emmanuel Magezi
vice-chairman in charge of security affairs
I have four kids. The first born is nine years old, while the last born is three. It’s been quite a hustle bringing them up. You may come and you demonstrate, show us what to do. But all that may not really count at the end of the day, if you are too poor. Here, how to survive is the problem, then the rest will follow. That is why you saw some women laughing in a cynical manner at what was being taught. Because they know it is easier said than done.
Hadija Tebasungwa, 28
For my two children, I remember I only went for medical check up when I was about to give birth. I have learnt that this is wrong. You need constant medical checkups when you are pregnant.
Juliet Nalwada, 24
I have learnt everything (pause). I have three children. During my pregnancies, I didn’t think it was so important to test for HIV/AIDS. But now, I will think about it, next time I am pregnant.
Rehema Nakiwala, 22