Malawian culture has always been known as a treasure trove of wisdom, and proverbs being an integral part of our rich heritage. These timeless sayings have been passed on through generations, offering guidance, direction, and warnings that shape our values, beliefs, and daily lives. In our upcoming blog series, we will delve into the world of Malawian proverbs, exploring their meanings, contexts and significance. Read today's blog post which serves as an introduction to our journey.
Motivating Pregnant Women in Rural Malawi to Attend Antenatal Clinics
Sikelo ya amayi Oyembekezera ku Orant – Antenatal Care at Orant
Why do most women skip Antenatal Clinics in rural Malawi?
In most rural areas of Malawi, women tend to start their Antenatal Clinic visits late, and in the worst cases, they do not attend before they give birth. This challenge is due to cultural beliefs, economic barriers, poverty, negligence and ignorance. This poses an increased risk of serious medical complications for the pregnant women and their babies because otherwise medical staff cannot have information and birth plans for these women.
What is antenatal care?
According to a report by the World Health Organisation (WHO), antenatal care can be defined as “the care provided by skilled health-care professionals to pregnant women and adolescent girls in order to ensure the best health conditions for both mother and baby during pregnancy.”
Why is antenatal care important?
Antenatal care includes identifying risks and managing pregnancy-related complications, as well as health education. Attending Antenatal Clinics reduces the risk of death for mother and baby by ensuring they receive an appropriate level of care.
What is Orant doing to serve expectant mothers?
Chitenje cloth, a traditional Malawian fabric with ancient origins in Indonesia, is one of the important things that every pregnant woman is required to bring when coming for delivery. A woman is supposed to bring more than one chitenje. This can be a burden for a pregnant woman to buy several fabrics. Chitenje is used for many purposes, including clothing, swaddling for babies, and decoration.
With so many women starting Antenatal Clinics late and others coming just to give birth, our Healthcare program has started giving a chitenje to every pregnant woman who starts attending Antenatal Clinics in the first 12 weeks of their pregnancy. This will be a motivation for pregnant women to start attending Antenatal Clinics earlier in their pregnancy. This will lift a burden off pregnant women’s shoulders and help them in preparing for the birth of their child.
Our Antenatal Clinics provide pregnant women with the care they need to have a healthy pregnancy and greet the arrival of their new baby with joy! To learn more about Orant’s Healthcare program, please visit our Healthcare page.
The Orant Journal
As Big as the Sky Book Review
Read today’s blog about the children’s book, “As Big as the Sky”, a Malawian story about a brother and sister whose love for each other is as big as the sky.
Orant’s Values
“Orant respectfully serves and collaborates with our community in a sustainable way.”
The Village Chief’s Vital Role
Ever wondered why we always mention village chiefs and their involvement in Orant’s work? If yes, then today’s blog article is for you! In this article, we talk to Village Head of Kasese Village in Dowa, who tells us about her duties and why her involvement with Orant is important. Read today's blog article to learn more.
The End of Plenty Book Review
Recently, we read The End of Plenty by Joel K. Bourne Jr. An honest and sometimes scathing review of the Green Revolution, this book covers how monoculture crops have led to worsening hunger across the world. As the planet warms, the need is ever more urgent for us to find a solution to humanity’s desperate need to feed 9 billion people.
Urbanisation in Malawi: MW2063 Pillar #3
As we have discussed in some of our past blogs, Malawi Vision 2063 has three key pillars that guide the focus of the Vision. These three pillars are meant to build on each other to create the inclusively wealthy and self-reliant nation that they envision. In this blog, we will look at the third pillar of MW2063: Urbanisation.
Best Things to Do in Malawi
Whether you are planning an African trip or just curious about the things we love about Malawi, read today’s blog to see the best things to do in Malawi!
Holidays in Malawi
Holidays are here again and we are so excited! Most of our team is taking time off with their families and loved ones, so please enjoy this blog while we are away. Celebrate the holidays with us the Malawian way!
The Culture of Malawi: Malawian Religions
Introducing you to the culture of Malawi through a series of articles! The culture of Malawi is strong in spirituality and most people are active in religious groups. We’ll tell you about Malawi’s main religions and the people who practice them. Read on for more.
Industrialisation in Malawi: MW2063 Pillar #2
As we have discussed in some of our past blogs, Malawi Vision 2063 has three key pillars that guide the focus of the Vision. These three pillars are meant to build on each other to create the inclusively wealthy and self-reliant nation that they envision. In this blog, we will look at the second pillar of MW2063: Industrialization.