What happens to Haiti when the rainy season comes? When this already impoverished country has been destroyed by an earthquake and multiple devastating aftershocks? When there is little to no shelter or sanitation?
More people die. Babies and children die from preventable waterborne illnesses like diarrhea and malaria.
However, Save The Children is doing their best to prevent this from happening. They, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development, have produced and are broadcasting Creole songs to communicate lifesaving health messages through songs to Haitian mothers. Since there is still little to no electricity in Haiti, the radio has become the best way to access information. These songs hold messages about breastfeeding, nutrition and hygeine to help save lives. The idea is that when people remember songs they like, they are likely to remember the tune and the message.
I memorized my multiplication tables in grade two the same way, so it sounds like a pretty smart way to share information to me.
Interestingly, the project produced these Creole songs and public service announcements before the earthquake, working with local communities and children (Source).
To have a listen to you will have to follow this link. I was not able to figure out a way to embed them here.
Now if only we in North America could get breastfeeding songs or public service announcements on the radio…
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Tags: Haiti, Save The Children
Hi Melodie — Have you come across the breastsmilkcounts.com CD of music? First song on the album is “Healthy Baby, Healthy Mama” by Andrea Perry — total breastfeeding advocacy song. http://www.breastmilkcounts.co.....paign.html
And — though none of our songs are about breastfeeding, I’m going to be releasing an album of music with 7 other singer-songwriter women friends in Austin this May with the purpose of advocating for breastfeeding and the Mother’s Milk Bank. All profits from the album will go to the Mother’s Milk Bank of Austin which serves most of Texas and other states as well. Would LOVE your help in promoting this album! I’ll keep you posted when web site is live and CDs are available for purchase. All the music is magical.
Thanks!
Monica
.-= Monica´s last blog ..Back to Work Reflections =-.