A Precious Gift: Learning to Breast Feed

Hi, my name is Howard, and I have seen the joy of mothers in Rwanda learning how to nurse their infants -- a vital beginning for health and development. Breastfeeding is a natural and beautiful process that helps create attachment, affection and bonding between a mom and her baby while providing essential nutriments to keep their babies well-nourished. In a country like Rwanda, where so many live in extreme poverty, learning to breastfeed is the only way to relieve the pangs of infant hunger daily.

I have created this Gofundme to support a charitable organization created by an exceptional group of nursing students at the University of Rwanda. They have created a national awareness campaign on the benefits of breastfeeding by giving workshops showing mothers -- who attend with their infants -- how to hold and nurse their babies. Their method is "teaching through doing." Rwandan mothers, like mothers everywhere, are eager to learn how to give their children the best life possible and feel confident about themselves as mothers. A little education for mother and child at the beginning of life lasts a lifetime!

Video Introduction to HEZA

This awareness campaign is meaningful to me because I have focused my efforts as a global mental health consultant on how to help empower families within their communities -- families who live in low-resource countries like Rwanda. I fell in love with Rwanda from the first, just as soon as I met Rwandans and experienced their energy and resolve. As a mental health provider, I knew in my heart that I could bring my knowledge and skills to help by finding culturally appropriate ways to facilitate people's capacity to take charge of their lives and increase their resilience effectively.

Rwandans of today are survivors of a genocide that claimed close to one million in 1994. That means that mothers and grandmothers in Rwanda now were babies -- or not yet born -- when the genocide occurred. As a result, those who became mothers at that time did not have the safety, care, experience or wisdom to guide them by their mothers who perished in a matter of weeks. And the trauma of the genocide created invisible but powerful obstacles to raising children.

Meet the HEZA Executive Board

Acqueline Niyomahoro

Patrick Heri

Samuel Niyonzima

Samuel Nduwayezu

These student doctors and nurses have developed a practical way to launch this new generation and generations beyond. As a mental health professional, I recognize that they have zeroed in on a prime activity of life that has a tremendous impact on their people and their nation. Support a program proven through research to have significant outcomes.

The money raised will be used to purchase illustrated teaching materials, train workshop leaders, market community programs, pay for travel, and develop research.

Samuel Nduwayezu promotes the HEZA Initiative on Rwandan Radio

There are many ways to support HEZA

Regardless of whether you can support the "How to Nurse your Child" program known as the Heeza Initiative, I invite you to see the organization's Facebook page and to join their Facebook group to learn more about their progress.

With thanks and appreciation!

Howard Robinson

Global Mental Health Consultant

Twitter: @Bflat6

Heeza Facebook

Heeza Facebook Group